Retiree Benefits

Post-65 Retirees & Medicare

Many employers today face a struggle between the desire to offer medical benefits to their retirees vs. the cost of being able to do so and manage their budgets effectively.

The ICSO H&W is proud to have the services of Via Benefits (Division of Willis Towers Watson) to provide services to Post-65 retirees (and eligible spouses). This relationship gives our members access to a wide variety of plans in the Medicare marketplace.

What is it?

  • For the Employer: A method to offer each retiree a specified amount of money to purchase their own, personal Medicare supplement policy, while controlling the costs for the employer
  • For the Retiree: Access to the services of licensed benefit professionals who work individually with each retiree providing customized Medicare programs that best fit their needs.

What are the requirements?

  • Eligible retirees and spouses must be Medicare enrolled and have attained the age of 65.

How does it work?

  • Participating Employer selects a funding level for each of their retirees (see funding levels below).
  • ICSO H&W notifies Via Benefits and employer funds are allocated into a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA).
  • The retiree has access to these funds to pay for Medicare Supplement premiums, prescriptions, copays, dental & vision costs, and other eligible out of pocket expenses.
  • All retirees are provided with a detailed enrollment and funding guide from Via Benefits along with a letter template that ICSO H&W Participating Employers can send to their employees with notifications regarding the healthcare benefits.

What is the cost?

  • Employers choose one of the following funding levels for their retirees and eligible spouses. Funding amounts can be reviewed and changed on an annual basis.
Via Benefits Health HRA Funding Options:  Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Option 4 Option 5
Single Retiree HRA Funding $2,400 $3,685 $4,125 $5,000 TBD by ER
Retiree/Spouse HRA Funding $4,800 $7,370 $8,250 $10,000 Single x2
  Administrative Fee* – Per retiree: $500

*HRA account administrative fee is in addition to HRA funding