REACHED A LIFE MILESTONE....

[2FORCEFULL]

Been out on my own since I was 15...and I have tried to plan for this for the past 50 yrs...I guess I was some what successful... turning 65 in nov.… signed up for medicare and social security...

 

[boatdoc55]

Good for you Steve!!!

 

[2FORCEFULL]

I wanna say this to you youngsters, things have changed...and no way will you be able to live off what the gov.. gives you... plan for retirement... if you are real young... put a sliver away for this day each week... make investments that you do not touch..take the max on EIP programs...buy bonds..buy what you can pay for with out pay'n juice...seems like a long time ago, and like it was just last year at the same time..

 

[Mandelon]

You may be 65, but you don't act your age. Good for you!!

 

[Deja_Vu]

Congrats, I have about 12 more years to work before I do that.
I'm 55 now and an empty nester. I do have one more wedding to pay for.

 

[KENDOG689]

Congrats to you....Thought this was going to be I found the right M/H tread.Enjoy while you still can.

 

[2FORCEFULL]

this medicare thing is pretty confusing....I'm taking the SS a year early... I get 100 less per mo.... but , it will take 15 yrs if I wait till next year to break even.... so I want my money now... plan A, plan A&B, plan C,D,E,F G,.... wtf...why does it have to be so hard... it should be once you reach 65 you are covered...for every thing...they've taken the money by force for all these years...now give it back... that simple..noooooo….. they wanna make it so confusing that you come up on the short end..

 

[KENDOG689]

this medicare thing is pretty confusing....I'm taking the SS a year early... I get 100 less per mo.... but , it will take 15 yrs if I wait till next year to break even.... so I want my money now... plan A, plan A&B, plan C,D,E,F G,.... wtf...why does it have to be so hard... it should be once you reach 65 you are covered...for every thing...they've taken the money by force for all these years...now give it back... that simple..noooooo….. they wanna make it so confusing that you come up on the short end..

Well your getting something.I have 13yrs to get there and it might be dry by then.

 

[JD D05]

I wanna say this to you youngsters, things have changed...and no way will you be able to live off what the gov.. gives you... plan for retirement... if you are real young... put a sliver away for this day each week... make investments that you do not touch..take the max on EIP programs...buy bonds..buy what you can pay for with out pay'n juice...seems like a long time ago, and like it was just last year at the same time..

I am 35 and don't ever plan on seeing any money from SS, I have believed that for 10 years.

 

[2FORCEFULL]

Congrats, I have about 12 more years to work before I do that.
I'm 55 now and an empty nester. I do have one more wedding to pay for.

32 years ago, my wife, working at the gas company..got into the EIP program,...they matched to a certain amount, she has always done max plus some...she's in the 7 figures right now and want to work about 3 more yrs...she'll be 65... and can roll over to medicare….. we will no dougbt have more money than time... and should be able to live comfortable...just gotta figure out the supplement for medicare to make sure we make it through health issues

 

[RiverDave]

I wanna say this to you youngsters, things have changed...and no way will you be able to live off what the gov.. gives you... plan for retirement... if you are real young... put a sliver away for this day each week... make investments that you do not touch..take the max on EIP programs...buy bonds..buy what you can pay for with out pay'n juice...seems like a long time ago, and like it was just last year at the same time..

That last sentence is a good one.. I still feel like I'm 20 years old, but now I'm 41? WTF? And I'm no further along then I was then.. LOL We are tightening the belt and getting rid of all financing that's possible.

RD

 

[RCDave]

Make sure you also join AARP old timer! lol

 

[2FORCEFULL]

I am 35 and don't ever plan on seeing any money from SS, I have believed that for 10 years.

I've believed that since I was 15...that's why I got in the union.... now those fuc's are try'n to screw me out of my retirement

 

[Ouderkirk]

Been out on my own since I was 15...and I have tried to plan for this for the past 50 yrs...I guess I was some what successful... turning 65 in nov.… signed up for medicare and social security...

Congratulations !!!

It is an accomplishment.

 

[2FORCEFULL]

That last sentence is a good one.. I still feel like I'm 20 years old, but now I'm 41? WTF? And I'm no further along then I was then.. LOL We are tightening the belt and getting rid of all financing that's possible.

RD

good for you dave, I'm gonna say this, the law changed,at least now they make self employed pay SS, there a big gap in mine where I never paid in because I was self employed... hope you have a IRA...if you don't... get in one

 

[Ziggy]

32 years ago, my wife, working at the gas company..got into the EIP program,...they matched to a certain amount, she has always done max plus some...she's in the 7 figures right now and want to work about 3 more yrs...she'll be 65... and can roll over to medicare….. we will no dougbt have more money than time... and should be able to live comfortable...just gotta figure out the supplement for medicare to make sure we make it through health issues

Congrats Steve.
The supplement coverage you get is key.
My dad was smart and purchased his outside of the medicare system, it covered all expenses not part of his medicare plans. It covered his 20% and deductibles.
He paid for his meds directly, which wasn't cheap but still cheaper than thru any insurance plans.

 

[Rondog4405]

65!! .. Shit this whole time i thought you were around 40! Congrats steve

 

[KENDOG689]

I've believed that since I was 15...that's why I got in the union.... now those fuc's are try'n to screw me out of my retirement

Bobby V and BHC VIC will be on soon to discredit that.

 

[2FORCEFULL]

Make sure you also join AARP old timer! lol

done that a few yrs back, I get the mag with all the old fuc in it...lol

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

I wanna say this to you youngsters, things have changed...and no way will you be able to live off what the gov.. gives you... plan for retirement... if you are real young... put a sliver away for this day each week... make investments that you do not touch..take the max on EIP programs...buy bonds..buy what you can pay for with out pay'n juice...seems like a long time ago, and like it was just last year at the same time..

Good advice here. I saved bunch in my 20s and early 30s. Maxed out 401K every year, and did some extra saving and investments. I'm in my mid 30s now and on cruise control. Some sacrifice in your younger years will pay dividends and compounded interest later in life.

 

[Willie B]

just gotta figure out the supplement for medicare to make sure we make it through health issues

...Research...AARP...United Health Care...for the most cost effective plan for you...
...my quarter of a million dollar cervical spine surgery cost me...$0...

 

[2FORCEFULL]

65!! .. Shit this whole time i thought you were around 40! Congrats steve

LOL.... maybe that's why the 35 yr olds here wanna fight me...

 

[Bobby V]

I've believed that since I was 15...that's why I got in the union.... now those fuc's are try'n to screw me out of my retirement

How long were you in the union. Were you vested?

 

[Ouderkirk]

That last sentence is a good one.. I still feel like I'm 20 years old, but now I'm 41? WTF? And I'm no further along then I was then.. LOL We are tightening the belt and getting rid of all financing that's possible.

RD

Debt service (interest) is flushing money down the toilet.

I tell people, pay down your mortgage ASAP. If you'v got a 30 year nut, in 10 years you will have paid about 25% on the principle and the rest as interest if you didn't make extra principle payments. On a 15 year your goal is to drive the payment schedule to the point where your payment is equal parts interest and principle ASAP.

Once you are debt free, your life takes a decidely different feeling.

Edit:

Consider 30 year nut, with a $200K balance a 3.5%. In 10 years you will have paid $62K in interest and still owe 3/4 of the original balance (about $150K). Over the life of the loan you will pay $120K in interest charges. IMHO, that is money I wasted that I could have put to work for me and my family.

 

[2FORCEFULL]

...Research...AARP...United Health Care...for the most cost effective plan for you...
...my quarter of a million dollar cervical spine surgery cost me...$0...

this is some bull shit right here...


Medicare concepts can be difficult to grasp with its multiple “parts” (e.g., Part A, B, C and D), confusing rules and array of additional coverage choices. To help you gain a basic understanding of Medicare, it’s recommended that you read “Medicare & You”, the official Medicare handbook. You can access the 2018 version by typing https://www.medicare.gov/pubs/pdf/10050-Medicare-and-You.pdf into your internet browser or you may request a printed copy by calling Medicare at 800-633-4227.
References to “you” throughout this document also apply to your spouse if you’re retired and your spouse is 65 or older and is eligible for Medicare.
Medicare Eligibility
You become eligible for Medicare coverage due to age on the first day of the month that you attain age 65. Exception: if you were born on the first day of the month, your effective date is the first day of the prior month. Individuals under 65 with certain disabilities become eligible for Medicare due to disability after getting Social Security disability benefits for 24 months.
When To Enroll in Medicare
If you’re receiving Social Security benefits before you attain age 65, you’ll be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B. You may be able to decline Part B if you don’t want it. See “Late Enrollment Penalty” on page 10.
If you’re not receiving Social Security benefits before or at age 65, you must enroll for Part A and Part B through the Social Security Administration (“SSA”). If you’re enrolled in the SHARE Plan, are under 65, and want to remain eligible to contribute to a Health Savings Account, you should delay enrolling in Medicare. Please contact Corporate HR/Benefits for details before delaying your Medicare enrollment.
You can enroll in Medicare Part A and/or B by: • Enrolling online at www.medicare.gov • Calling Social Security at 800-772-1213 • Visiting a Social Security field office
Note: You don’t enroll in Medicare Part C or D through the SSA. You enroll directly with a private insurance carrier that’s approved to sell Medicare plans.
2
You can enroll in Medicare during one of following enrollment periods. See pages 21 – 22 of Medicare & You 2018.
• Initial Enrollment Period (“IEP”) - If you want Medicare to start when you turn 65, you should enroll during the first 3 months your IEP. If you enroll during the month you turn 65 or during the last 3 months of your IEP, your coverage will be delayed.
• Special Enrollment Period (“SEP”) - If you didn’t enroll in Part B (or Part A) when you were first eligible because you were covered under an employer group health plan (“EGHP”) based on current employment (your or your spouse’s), you can sign up during your SEP, which is anytime while you’re still covered by a EGHP or during the 8-month period that begins after employment or EGHP coverage ends, whichever happens first. Note that EGHP doesn’t include retiree or COBRA coverage.
Usually, you won’t pay a late enrollment penalty if you sign up during a SEP. If the SSA provides you with a Request for Employment Information form (Form CMS-L564), please forward the form to Corporate Human Resources/Benefits for completion. This form will document your EGHP coverage so the Part B late enrollment penalty can be waived.
If your IEP and SEP overlap, you won’t be eligible for a SEP. You must follow the IEP rules.
• General Enrollment Period (“GEP”) – If you didn’t enroll in Part B (or Part A) when you were first eligible, you can sign up January 1 through March 31 of each year. Your coverageiseffectiveJuly1ofthatyear. YoumayhavetopayaPartBlateenrollment penalty. This is in addition to your monthly Part B premium and you will pay the penalty for as long as you have Part B coverage. See “Late Enrollment Penalty” on page 10.
3
Cost for Medicare Part A & B
If you’re eligible for Social Security benefits, you receive Part A coverage premium-free.
Just about everyone pays a premium for Part B. The standard monthly Part B premium ($134 for 2018, or higher depending upon your income) applies to individuals who enroll in Part B for the first time in 2018, who don’t receive Social Security benefits, who are direct billed for Part B premiums, and whose income from two years prior exceeds a certain level. Part B premiums are deductedfrom yourmonthly Social Security payment. If you’re not receiving Social Security retirement benefits, you’ll receive a bill for your Part B premiums. If you don’t enroll in Part B when you’re first eligible, you may incur a Part B late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Part B. See “Late Enrollment Penalty” on page 10.
Higher-Income Beneficiaries
If you have an income above a certain level, you’ll pay the standard premium for Part B and PartDPrescriptionDrugcoverageplusanadditionalamountcalledtheIncomeRelatedMonthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). The SSA will use your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) from your most recent federal tax return (from two years prior) to determine whether the IRMAA applies. Less than 5% of the population is affected, e.g., only individuals with a MAGI of above $85,000 and married couples filing jointly with a MAGI above $170,000.
The Parts of Medicare
• Part A (Hospital Insurance) helps cover inpatient hospital, skilled nursing facility care, hospice and home health. You enroll in Part A through the SSA.
• Part B (Medical Insurance) helps cover outpatient care, services from doctors and health care providers, home health, durable medical equipment and some preventive care. You enroll in Part B through the SSA.
A limited number of outpatient prescription drugsare covered under Part Bunder certain circumstances. They’re generally drugs that you wouldn’t normally give to yourself, like those you get at a doctor’s office or an outpatient hospital setting.
• Part C (Medicare Advantage Plan) includes benefits and services covered under Part A and Part B, usually includes a Part D PDP, and sometimes includes extra benefits such vision, hearing or dental coverage, or a gym membership. You enroll in Part A and B throughtheSSA. YouenrollinPartCthroughaprivateinsurancecarrierthat’sapproved to sell Medicare plans.
• Part D (Prescription Drug Plan) helps cover some of the cost of outpatient prescription drugs. You enroll in Part D through a private insurance carrier that’s approved to sell Medicare plans. You don’t enroll in Part D through the SSA.
Collectively, Part A and Part B are known as “Original Medicare”.
4
Ways to Obtain Medicare
Medicare Part A and Part B have separate deductibles, coinsurance and copayments, so enrolling in additional medical coverage, e.g., a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Medicare Supplement, is a prudent decision.
5
Medicare Coverage Choices
As depicted on page 4, there are two ways to obtain Medicare coverage -- through Original Medicare (with or without additional coverage, or with or without a Part D PDP) or a Medicare Advantage Plan. There are major differences between these two types of plans.
Original Medicare
• Collectively, Medicare Part A and Part B are known as Original Medicare.
• YoucanenrollinOriginalMedicarewithoutadditionalcoverage,however,itcanberisky. Original Medicare doesn’t cover Medicare-approved services in full -- Part A and Part B have separate deductibles, coinsurance and copayments. Because of thismany people obtain additional coverage to help limit their exposure. See “Medicare Supplement Plans” on page 6 and “Medicare Advantage Plans” on pages 7 - 8.
• The Part A deductible ($1,340 in 2018) is not an annual deductible -- it’s a per “benefit period” deductible. A benefit period starts on the day you enter the hospital and ends after you have not received any hospital care for 60 days. There’s no limit as to the number of benefit periods you may incur in a calendar year, which could be very costly.
Hospitalization: If you are in a new benefit period, you must meet the Part A deductible ($1,340 in 2018). Your first 60 days in the hospital within a benefit period are covered at 100%. Beginning on the 61st day in the hospital within a benefit period, you pay a daily coinsurance ($335 in 2018) for the 61st through 90th day. If your hospital stay exceeds90daysinabenefitperiod,youcanuseyourreservehospitaldays(youreceive 60 per lifetime) and you pay a daily coinsurance ($670 in 2018). Once you exhaust your lifetime reserve days, you pay all costs.
Skilled Nursing Facility: To be eligible for skilled nursing facility (SNF) benefits you must have Part A days available in your benefit period, you must have a qualifying hospital stay, and your doctor must state that you need daily skilled nursing care. Your first 20 days in a benefit period are covered at 100%. Beginning on the 21st day in the SNF you pay a daily coinsurance ($167.50 in 2018) for the 21st through 100th day. Once you exhaust your 100 days, you pay all costs. If you stop getting skilled care in the SNF or leave the SNF altogether, your SNF coverage may be affected depending on how long your break in SNF care lasts.
• The Part B deductible ($183 in 2018) is an annual deductible and must be met once per calendar year. After you meet the deductible, Part B services are generally covered at 80% or 70% (you pay 20% or 30%).
6
Medicare Supplement Plans
• Medicare Supplement plans provide additional medical coverage in addition to Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). Medicare Supplements generally require you to be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B.
• Medicare Supplements offer freedom of choice. You can see any doctor, provider or supplier that accepts Medicare. If you travel, this type of plan may be a better option for you than a Medicare Advantage plan.
• Medicare Supplements aren’t government-run, however, they can only be offered by Medicare-approved insurance carriers. Most carriers sell plans that offer different coverage levels at different price points. You enroll for coverage and pay your Medicare Supplement premium to the insurance carrier. This premium is in addition to your monthly Part B premium.
• Since Medicare Supplements are standardized plans that offer the same core benefits, it’s easy to compare policies across insurance carriers. (If you live in MA, MN or WI, Medicare Supplements are standardized in a different way). The plans are named with a letter of the alphabet, e.g., A - N. Some plans are not offered in certain states. The premium charged for a plan and how the premium is derived can vary between insurance carriers, so it’s a good idea to shop around. See page 9 for a comparison chart of Medicare Supplement plan coverage.
• You can enroll in or change your Medicare Supplement at any time. However, once your Medigap Open Enrollment Period (the six-month period after you enroll in Medicare Part B) has passed, an insurance carrier can require you to answer medical questions and/or require medical records to use in deciding whether to accept your application, to charge you a higher premium, or to impose a pre-existing waiting period. If you’re concerned about being able to pass medical underwriting in the future should you change plans or insurance carriers, you may want to consider enrolling in your desired plan from the beginning.
• Only Medicare Supplement plan K and L have an out-of-pocket maximum limiting the amount you will pay in a year.
• Beginning January 1, 2020, Medicare Supplement plan C and F (non-high deductible) will no longer be sold to new enrollees. Existing plan C & F enrollees will be grandfathered.
• You can’t be enrolled in both a Medicare Supplement plan and a Medicare Advantage Plan at the same time.
• When selecting a plan, take into consideration not only the monthly plan premiums but also what you will pay when you receive services.
7
Prescription Drug Plans
Original Medicare and Medicare Supplement plans don’t include outpatient prescription drug coverage. Please see “Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan Coverage Choices” on page 8 for more information.
Medicare Advantage Plans
• Medicare Advantage Plans (“MA Plans”), also referred to as Medicare Part C, require you to be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B.
• MA Plans offer an alternative way of receiving your Medicare benefits. You receive your Medicare Part A and Part B services directly from the MA Plan, not from Original Medicare. MA Plans must include everything that’s covered under Original Medicare, and may offer additional benefits, such as dental, vision, hearing, and other health and wellness programs.
• There are different types of MA Plans, e.g., Health Maintenance Organizations (“HMO”), Preferred Provider Organizations), Private Fee For Service, Special Needs Plans, HMO Point of Service and Medical Savings Account Plans. Each MA Plan can charge different premiums and copayments, and have different rules for how to obtain services, e.g., whether you need to obtain a referral to see a specialist and whether you can only use providers in the MA Plan’s network. These rules could change each year. Check with the MA Plan insurance carrier for coverage details. See pages 65 - 76 of Medicare & You 2018.
• If your MA Plan requires that you use only network providers and you travel outside the MA Plan’s service area, only emergency services received outside the service area will be covered by the plan. You may pay a monthly premium for a MA Plan, but the premiums are generally low or a zero premium. This premium is in addition to your monthly Part B premium. The MA Plan may charge copayments at the time you receive services but contain an annual out-of-pocket maximum which limits the amount you pay in any given year.
• Generally a Part D Prescription Drug Plan (“PDP”) is included in a MA Plan. If your MA Plan includes a PDP, you can’t be enrolled in another PDP at the same time.
• In most cases, you can’t enroll in a MA Plan if you have End Stage Renal Disease.
• You can’t be enrolled in both a Medicare Supplement plan and a Medicare Advantage Plan at the same time.
• You can only enroll in or leave a MA Plan at certain times during the year. See pages 75 – 76 of Medicare and Your 2018.
• You can view all MA Plans offered by all Medicare-approved insurance carriers at www.medicare.gov. Click on “Sign Up/Change Plans”, then “Find Health & Drug Plans.”
• When selecting a plan, take into consideration not only the monthly plan premiums but also what you will pay when you receive services.
8
Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan Coverage Choices
• If you enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan or a MA Plan that doesn’t include prescription drug coverage, you must enroll in a Medicare Part D PDP if you want to have prescription drug coverage.
• You must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and/or Part B to enroll in a Part D PDP. It’s advisable that you enroll in a Part D PDP when you are first eligible even if you don’t currently take any prescription drugs, unless you have other creditable prescription drug coverage. If you have a 63-day or longer break in creditable prescription drug coverage (see page 10), you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty when do you enroll in a PDP. See pages 89 - 91 of Medicare & You 2018.
• You enroll for PDP coverage and pay your premium directly to a Medicare-approved insurance carrier.
• You aren’t required to enroll in a PDP from the same insurance carrier as your Medicare Supplement plan. It’s very important to enroll in a PDP that covers the drugs you are currently taking, otherwise the coverage will be of little value to you.
• You can’t be enrolled in more than on Part D PDP at the same time.
• While all PDPs must cover a certain level of benefits, PDPs aren’t standardized. Some PDPs have an annual deductible, others don’t. Some PDPs offer mail service for a 90day supply or a lower copay if you use a smaller network of pharmacies. Which drugs are in the formulary, which tier a drug is on, and how much you pay for a drug when you’re in each coverage stage varies by PDP. The monthly premium for PDP insurance varies based on the coverage offering.
• There are three stages of PDP coverage: Initial Coverage, Coverage Gap (also known as the “donut hole”) and Catastrophic Coverage. The stage you are in also determines how much you will pay for your drugs. See pages 86 – 88 of Medicare & You 2018.
• You can view all PDP offerings by all Medicare-approved insurance carriers at www.medicare.gov. Click on “Sign Up/Change Plans”, then “Find Health & Drug Plans.”
• You can only enroll in, switch or drop a PDP at certain times during the year. See pages 84 – 85 of Medicare & You 2018. You don’t have to undergo medical underwriting when you switch PDPs.
9
Medicare Supplement Plan Comparison
Foreign Travel Emergency Some Medicare Supplement plans pay 80% of the billed charges for certain medically necessary emergency care outside the U.S. after you meet a $250 deductible for the year. Foreign travel emergency care must begin during the first 60 days of your trip, and if Medicare doesn't otherwise cover the care. There is a foreign travel emergency lifetime limit of $50,000.
Plans C & Plan F (non-high deductible plan) will stop being offered for 2020. Those already enrolled in those plans will be grandfathered.
10
Medicare/Prescription Drug Coverage While Employed by Southwest Gas
If you’re employed by Southwest Gas and you’re 65 or older, you and your spouse may remain enrolled in the SHARE Plan until your employment ends. You aren’t required to enroll in Medicare at 65 unless you’re already receiving Social Security benefits. If you’re enrolled in both the SHARE Plan and Medicare while you are working, the SHARE Plan coverage will be primary and Medicare will be secondary. When your employment ends, the order reverses; Medicare will be primary and the SHARE Plan will be secondary.
Caution! • If you enroll in any part of Medicare while you’re enrolled in the SHARE Plan, you’ll become ineligible for a Health Savings Account (“HSA”). This means you can’t make contributions to an HSA or receive from others, including Southwest Gas. Enrollment in Medicare causes you to be HSA-ineligible because Medicare is not a high deductible health plan. If you wish to remain HSA-eligible while covered by the SHARE Plan, you may want to consider delaying your Social Security benefits until after you turn 65 and delaying your Medicare enrollment until you retire.
• When you apply for Social Security benefits and Medicare coverage, your Social Security and Medicare Part A may be retroactive for up to 6 months (assuming you were eligible during those months). If you do not stop contributing to your HSA 6 months before you apply for Medicare, you may inadvertently over-contribute to your HSA and incur a tax penalty.
Note: If you are 65 or older and employed by Southwest Gas and aren’t enrolled in Medicare, but your spouse is enrolled in Medicare, this alone doesn’t make you HSA-ineligible. It only means that your spouse is HSA-ineligible and your spouse can’t make or receive HSA contributions. You can use your HSA funds for your Medicare-covered spouse’s Medicare premiums (except for Medicare Supplement premiums) and qualified health care expenses.

 

[LuauLounge]

I hit 65 a couple of years ago, and was diagnosed with cancer a month before I was eligible for Medicare. That one month was 10k out of my pocket.
Your Medicare supplemental is the key. Make sure you have an agent that knows the plans. Sign up for the best coverage that you can afford. If you start at the low end and get a lingering illness, you are stuck. Another fact, in all of the plan groups, the coverage is the same, the premiums change depending on the company. In my case, Blue Shield was $60 a month higher than Transamerica for the same coverage. Since I went on Medicare, I haven’t spent a dime on appointments, surgery, CT and PET scans, infusions, labs or anything else other than drug copays. My monthly insurance tab dropped $500 a month when I turned 65.

 

[2FORCEFULL]

Late Enrollment Penalty (Part B and Part D)
If you don’t enroll in Part B when you’re first eligible or you drop Part B and pick it up later, you may incur a late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Medicare. Your monthly Part B premiummaygo up10%for eachfull 12-month period that you could have had PartB butdidn't. If the reason you didn’t enroll in Part B when first eligible is because you were covered under the Southwest Gas SHARE Plan, see “Special Enrollment Period” on page 2 for information about the Part B penalty waiver.
If you go 63-days or longer without a Medicare Part D PDP or other creditable prescription drug coverage (such as the Southwest Gas prescription drug plan that’s packaged with the SHARE Plan) and you were eligible for but didn’t enroll in a PDP, you’ll pay a late enrollment Part D penalty of 1% times the number of full, uncovered months, rounded to the nearest $0.10. You may have to pay this penalty for as long as you have a PDP. If you had to pay a Part D late enrollment penalty before you turned 65, the penalty will be waived once you reach 65.
11
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Solutions
Southwest Gas no longer directly offers Medicare Supplement and PDP coverage for retirees 65 or older. Instead, Southwest Gas has partnered with UnitedHealthcare Medicare Solutions (“UHCMS”) to assist retirees with finding and enrolling in Medicare plans that best fit their health care and financial needs through UHCMS’ Connector Model. UHC offers an array of Medicare Supplements,PartDPDPs, andMA Plans. UHC’s Medicare Supplementplans andPDPs carry the AARP name. You must have an AARP membership in order to enroll in these plans.
If you’re enrolled in the SHARE Plan when you retire and you aren’t yet 65, two to three months before you turn 65, UHCMS will send you information about its Medicare plans. If you’re enrolled in the SHARE Plan just before you retire and you’re already 65 when you retire, UHC will send you information after you submit your Retirement Notification eForm to Southwest Gas. If you’re already 65, it’s crucial that you submit your retirement notification three to four months prior to your retirement to allow for the plan information to reach you, provide you with adequate time to review your options, enroll in coverage, and receive your ID cards before your coverage effective date.
Although you can enroll for coverage with UHCMS on your own, there are advantages of enrolling through the UHCMS Connector Model, such as not being subject to medical underwriting questions that can affect your premiums, and the ability to update to a higher coverage Medicare Supplement in the future without having to submit proof of good health.
You may review the UHCMS options and premiums in advance of receiving your enrollment materialsathttps://www.myuhcplans.com/southwestgas,however,youcan’tenrollforcoverage online. Premiums are based on age, gender and zip code.
Caution! About six months prior to turning 65, you will be bombarded with information from many insurance companies regarding their Medicare plan offerings. You may even receive mailings from AARP or UHCMS directly, that are unrelated to the UHCMS/Southwest Gas arrangement. Below are sample envelopes of the mailings related to the UHCMS/Southwest Gas arrangement so you can keep an eye out for them. They’ll have a reference to Southwest Gas on them, such as the Southwest Gas name or logo.
To enroll in coverage through UHCMS, call 877-791-9964, 7 days a week, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. local time. It’s important that you have received your materials before you call to enroll. Your receipt of yourmaterials indicate that you’re in UHCMS’s system and they’re aware of your connection to Southwest Gas. Secondly, if you received your materials in advance of the call, you can be enrolled telephonically (parts of call are recorded) and you may not have to sign/return enrollment paperwork if you enroll in a Medicare Supplement.

 

[2FORCEFULL]

I hit 65 a couple of years ago, and was diagnosed with cancer a month before I was eligible for Medicare. That one month was 10k out of my pocket.
Your Medicare supplemental is the key. Make sure you have an agent that knows the plans. Sign up for the best coverage that you can afford. If you start at the low end and get a lingering illness, you are stuck. Another fact, in all of the plan groups, the coverage is the same, the premiums change depending on the company. In my case, Blue Shield was $60 a month higher than Transamerica for the same coverage. Since I went on Medicare, I haven’t spent a dime on appointments, surgery, CT and PET scans, infusions, labs or anything else other than drug copays. My monthly insurance tab dropped $500 a month when I turned 65.

can I ask what supplement plan you have and what does it cost?

 

[2FORCEFULL]

Debt service (interest) is flushing money down the toilet.

I tell people, pay down your mortgage ASAP. If you'v got a 30 year nut, in 10 years you will have paid about 5% on the principle and the rest as interest if you didn't make extra principle payments. On a 15 year your goal is to drive the payment schedule to the point where your payment is equal parts interest and principle ASAP.

Once you are debt free, your life takes a decidely different feeling.

if you are lucky, one in a thousand will listen, but like you, I keep telling them

 

[Sleek-Jet]

I am 35 and don't ever plan on seeing any money from SS, I have believed that for 10 years.

You'll probably see just about what you should, maybe a little less.

What you won't see is all that money you saved for retirement. There are trillions of dollars sitting in private retirement investments, with the power to tax the gov't will tax them heavily to cover SS and Medicare. Only a small percentage of workers save anything for retirement, so that means all that money belong to "rich" people.

I figure we'll see some sort of means test for SS; here is what you we will pay you, if you "take home" more than that by some factor from savings, it'll be taxed at some eye watering tax rate.

 

[spectra3279]

I might be able to retire about 3 years after I'm dead.

Maybe.

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[spectra3279]

Funny how ss can run out of money. But welfare apparently has unlimited funds.

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[rush1]

SS will always be there LBJ put it in the general fund ( Against the law I might add) but its in the general fund all they have to do is raise democrat's taxes and the moneys there. Oh wait Democrats dont work I'm sorry , You're all screwed

 

[Moody]

What happened to us? We used to talk about chasing girls, getting drunk and fighting.

 

[JD D05]

You'll probably see just about what you should, maybe a little less.

What you won't see is all that money you saved for retirement. There are trillions of dollars sitting in private retirement investments, with the power to tax the gov't will tax them heavily to cover SS and Medicare. Only a small percentage of workers save anything for retirement, so that means all that money belong to "rich" people.

I figure we'll see some sort of means test for SS; here is what you we will pay you, if you "take home" more than that by some factor from savings, it'll be taxed at some eye watering tax rate.

I would be happy for anything. I take care of my own saving's. I would be very excited if I could opt out of SS and invest myself.

 

[2FORCEFULL]

What happened to us? We used to talk about chasing girls, getting drunk and fighting.

we still do, talk about the past.....lol

 

[HB2Havasu]

I would be happy for anything. I take care of my own saving's. I would be very excited if I could opt out of SS and invest myself.

I agree with that 100%. I’d like to see a cap on SSI where once you’ve invested for X amount of years (say 30 years) the weekly SSI from my paycheck is moved into an individual savings plan.

 

[2FORCEFULL]

I would be happy for anything. I take care of my own saving's. I would be very excited if I could opt out of SS and invest myself.

for years that's how it was... then so many ended up old and no SS and the state had to take care of them anyway, for years I didn't have to pay self employment tax... knew I wasn't getting anything and saved and invested..then they came along and changed it..

 

[JD D05]

for years that's how it was... then so many ended up old and no SS and the state had to take care of them anyway, for years I didn't have to pay self employment tax... knew I wasn't getting anything and saved and invested..then they came along and changed it..

What the DICK!

 

[stephenkatsea]

Prior to retiring we had private insurance through UHC for years. But once I retired and wanted UHC as a supplement, we were forced to join AARP. Kind of pissed me off. I'm not behind AARP's liberal political contributions. And there's not a damned thing I can do about it. Also, while still working, begin contributing the max to a Health Savings Plan (HSA). We never touched ours prior to retirement. It is a great way to cover medical/dental costs not covered by Medicare. Also, keep in mind that any supplement will not pay a dime unless it is a Medicare covered item.

 

[Taboma]

I've believed that since I was 15...that's why I got in the union.... now those fuc's are try'n to screw me out of my retirement

Took me almost two years to gather all the documents in order to start receiving two union pensions. Most were lost in the fire, so getting marriage, divorce, settlements, on and on and on from various county records really ate up the calendar. Most of these documents were from the late 60s and 70s, so the docs were all archived, no computer records. Thought I was all done, then I'd get another letter stating the settlement papers weren't the recorded copy, so another two months delay. Point being, do anything you can to protect any and all important documents, because 50 years later, is when you'll need em. Oh, not just your own but your wife's too --- I had to file document to prove her name had changed from a previous marriage, then again with our own.

Then I noticed recently I should have been compensated for two years after drafted into the Army. Questioned the plan, they aren't sure if they picked it up or not. They told me they're busy, so it might take 4 months to investigate and make a determination --- WTF ??? Yup, they're busy jerking me around

So good luck Steve !! All I can say is, grit your teeth and be courteous, but tenacious

Enjoyed our 35th anniversary a couple of days ago, awesome --- But it reminded me it's been 15 years since our 20 year celebration, which seems like about a week ago, LOL

 

[TITTIES AND BEER]

Been out on my own since I was 15...and I have tried to plan for this for the past 50 yrs...I guess I was some what successful... turning 65 in nov.… signed up for medicare and social security...

I got 5 to go if I make it

 

[spectra3279]

SS will always be there LBJ put it in the general fund ( Against the law I might add) but its in the general fund all they have to do is raise democrat's taxes and the moneys there. Oh wait Democrats dont work I'm sorry , You're all screwed

Actually it's not. LBJ just passed a law so they could borrow from it. But I always thought if borrowed, you gave it back. Seems the over 5 trillion owed plus the interest it would have made, would have lasted a long time

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[TITTIES AND BEER]

What happened to us? We used to talk about chasing girls, getting drunk and fighting.

You go catch them we will cheer you on lol

 

[Bobby V]

Bobby V and BHC VIC will be on soon to discredit that.

Discredit what. He hasn't answered my question in post #23.

 

[LuauLounge]

can I ask what supplement plan you have and what does it cost?

Have Plan G with Transamerica $115/month

 

[69 1/2]

Part of the problem is people live a lot longer now. Social Security was intended for you to draw at 65 and die at 68. My father said for years his SS withholding was always $2 per week. Now he draws $1300/Mo and has been for 20 years.

 

[Mandelon]

I agree with that 100%. I’d like to see a cap on SSI where once you’ve invested for X amount of years (say 30 years) the weekly SSI from my paycheck is moved into an individual savings plan.

It is. It is just moved to another individual's savings plan. LOL

 

[KENDOG689]

It is. It is just moved to another individual's savings plan. LOL

Like beaners that just got here.

 

[Bobby V]

Part of the problem is people live a lot longer now. Social Security was intended for you to draw at 65 and die at 68. My father said for years his SS withholding was always $2 per week. Now he draws $1300/Mo and has been for 20 years.

I looked to see what my approx. SS benefits will be last month. $2,017 at 62. $2,886 at 67. $3,590 at 70. Since I have 2 union pensions. I'm taking mine at 62.