Once a federal employee or retiree becomes age 65, they can enroll in Medicare. But many have questions about Medicare enrollment and how it works with the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program. In the first part of this series of columns on Medicare, Ed Zurndorfer discusses the various parts to the Medicare program and how federal employees qualify for Medicare more…
Medicare and Federal Employees
Medicare Mistakes Federal Retirees Should Avoid
Missing enrollment deadlines, delaying enrollment, and choosing the wrong type of Medicare can potentially cost a federal retiree a lot of money. Ed Zurndorfer provides a completely updated outline of the most common mistakes federal retirees should avoid when enrolling in Medicare more…
Federal Retirees Can Appeal Higher Medicare Part B Premiums
Ed Zurndorfer explains why many federal employees pay higher Medicare Part B monthly premiums and it’s impact on retirement income planning — plus how to appeal the higher premiums with practical examples more…
What Federal Employees & Retirees Need to Know About Medicare Part D and FEHB
Should federal retirees enroll in in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan? Ed Zurndorfer provides an explanation of Medicare Part D , enrollment deadlines, three ways FEHB enrollees benefit from it — plus the important reasons why a federal retiree should decline enrollment in Medicare Part D
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How FEHB and Medicare Work Together in Retirement
Chris Kowalik examines the two parts of Medicare that retiring federal employees should be most concerned about, the pros and cons of having both FEHB and Medicare in retirement, plus three different FEHB and Medicare combinations — and their advantages and disadvantages more…
Federal Employee Pay Raises vs. Retiree COLAs
Chris Kowalik discusses the differences between pay raises and federal retiree COLAs — including who gets them, how they are determined, and when they are applied more…
Your Biggest Expenses in Retirement
Chris Kowalik explains why the spending most folks rack up during their working years does not suddenly change in retirement. Some of your biggest expenses may surprise you more…
Understanding Medicare Enrollment Periods, Deadlines and Penalties
Ed Zurndorfer discusses the three enrollment periods for employees and retirees to enroll in Medicare and not be subject to any late enrollment penalties. Retirees should also note that when they enroll in Medicare during any of the three-enrollment period, they can switch their FEHB health plan within 30 days of enrolling in Medicare more…
Should Federal Retirees Enroll in Medicare?
Ed Zurndorfer provides answers to the frequently asked questions: Why should federal retirees enroll in Medicare? When should they enroll? Is there a late enrollment penalty? Which is “primary” coverage — Medicare or FEHB? more…
Medicare General Enrollment Period: What Are the Implications for Federal Retirees?
Most individuals find the Medicare enrollment process to be confusing. Ed Zurndorfer reviews the four Medicare enrollment periods, and how they apply to most federal employees and retirees when they become first eligible to enroll at age 65. Practical examples are included more…