Planning to Retire: Medicare

When you or a covered dependent reach age 65, you become eligible to make changes to your SHBP coverage.  Active Members currently employed with an SHBP Employing Entity receive courtesy notification letters from SHBP prior to turning age 65 (and their dependents turning age 65) notifying them they are eligible to make certain changes to their coverage.

  • Age 64 years and 8 months old: Active Members receive a letter 4 months before their or their Spouse’s/Dependent’s 65th birthday requesting they enroll in Medicare Part B and provide proof to SHBP.
  • Age 64 years and 10 months old: Active Members receive a letter 2 months before their or their Spouse’s/Dependent’s 65th birthday requesting they enroll in Medicare Part B and provide proof to SHBP.

You cannot enroll in a SHBP Medicare Advantage plan option regardless of your age until you retire from a SHBP Employing Entity, however, you may provide your or your covered Dependent’s Medicare Part B information to SHBP at any time.

If you continue to work past age 65 and you provide SHBP your (or your Dependent’s) Medicare Part B information at least one month prior to your retirement date, you will be automatically enrolled in a SHBP Medicare Advantage Plan Option and your premium will continue to be subsidized by SHBP.

If you continue to work past age 65 and you do not provide SHBP your (or your Dependent’s) Medicare Part B information at least one month prior to your retirement date, you will remain in a SHBP Commercial (non-Medicare Advantage) plan option, your premium will not be subsidized by SHBP, and you will be responsible for the entire costs of coverage which is substantially higher than your current premium. You may reduce your premiums prospectively if you provide your Medicare Part B information to SHBP.

To provide your Medicare Part B to SHBP, click here.

Questions

You may contact SHBP Member Services via email at [email protected] or via phone at 800-610-1863 and select the appropriate prompt for pre-retirement questions under the Active Member menu.