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Considering Retirement

If you're approaching 65 and not ready to retire, there are important steps to consider.

If retirement is on your horizon, make sure your transition will be smooth as you prepare to leave Tufts. Below are steps you need to take and information to know and consider related to your benefits. Health and dental plan coverage ends on your last day of employment.

Retiree Health and Dental Plan Eligibility

Retiree health and dental benefits are available to eligible retirees who are age 60 or older with 5 years of eligible service, or if the sum of their age and benefits-eligible service equals 75. Retirees hired prior to 1/1/94 are eligible for a health plan subsidy.

Retiree Health and Dental Plans Overview

Review the following documents for information on retiree health and dental plan options and changes to other benefits upon retirement. Retiree Health options vary depending on your age at retirement. Retiree Dental plan options are the same regardless of your age at retirement.

Pre-Retirement Checklist

6-12 Months Before Retirement

Meet with a Fidelity and/or TIAA representative to review retirement savings and distribution options.
Contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) to determine income options.
Contact Tufts Support Services (TSS) with questions about retiree benefits or to request a benefits consultation.

3 Months Before Retirement

Provide written notification of your retirement date to your supervisor (last day of a month recommended).
Age 65 & Over Health Plan: Apply for Medicare Parts A & B (no earlier than 3 months, at least 8 weeks before retirement). Coverage begin date should coincide with retirement date.
Assess your retiree health, dental, and other benefit plan options.

1 Months Before Retirement

Under Age 65 Health & Dental Plan: Submit the Under Age 65 Retiree Health & Dental Enrollment Form to TSS to enroll or waive coverage
Age 65 & Over Health Plan: Enroll in a Medicare supplemental health plan through Via Benefits. Coverage should coincide with retirement and Medicare A/B enrollment date. Once enrolled, set up HRA subsidy with Via Benefits if eligible.
Age 65 & Over Dental Plan: Complete the Age 65 & Over Retiree Dental Enrollment Form to TSS to enroll or waive coverage
Confirm elections for other benefit plan options (see Leaving Tufts and Changes to Your Benefits).
Log into eServe to confirm /update your home address, personal phone number, and email.
Confirm with your supervisor that they will submit your retirement through the eServe system and TSS.

Learn More About Retiree Health Plans

Learn More About Retiree Dental Plans

Not Ready to Retire at 65

When you turn age 65, the Social Security Administration will contact you about signing up for Medicare if you are eligible. To qualify for Medicare, you must have worked for at least ten years and have at least forty working credits on record with Social Security. Find additional information about requirements on the Medicare website or call Medicare at 800-633-4227.

When you turn 65, if you are enrolled under the Tufts University employer-sponsored health plan, you may continue your coverage on our plan. While you are covered under our plan, you are not required to enroll in Medicare Parts A or B. Three months before your planned retirement date, you will need to apply for Medicare Parts A and B. For details about Medicare enrollment visit the Retiree Health Plan the Medicare website or call Medicare at 800-633-4227.

Forms and Documents

Under Age 65 Forms

Age 65 and Over Forms & Links

Tufts Retirement Savings Plans

Fidelity Investments: call 800-343-0860 for a one-on-one consultation
TIAA call 800-842-2776 or 800-842-2252 for a one-on-one consultation

Additional Resources

Medicare Website learn about Medicare eligibility and enrollment or call at 800-633-4227
Social Security Website check eligibility and plan for retirement 800-772-1213

Provided by Human Resources