Journey to Retirement


If you’re considering retirement from BMC, you’ve got a lot on your mind. Retirement is a life decision that involves many important considerations. And it's essential to understand the impact on your benefits and your options to continue coverage a little longer.

Whether you are 10 years from retirement or have a closer timeframe – you’ve come to the right place. This information will help you unravel the financial mysteries of life after work and discover changes you can make for a financially secure future. Read on to:

  • Learn about the impact on your benefits when you retire and your options to continue coverage a little longer.
  • Get the highlights about programs and benefits that will be available to you when you retire, such as Social Security and Medicare, so that you can keep them in mind as you plan for the future.
  • Check out a list of resources with contact details so that you can access additional information.

Be sure to read this information carefully and share it with your spouse/domestic partner or others who may be involved in helping you make the choices that work best for you.

Stop 1: Thinking of Retiring?

Many people considering retirement say their goal is to have a comfortable life and do what they want, while not running out of money later in life. Because retirement may be a long way off, it can be hard to believe how much you should be saving now to get where you want…

Many people considering retirement say their goal is to have a comfortable life and do what they want, while not running out of money later in life. Because retirement may be a long way off, it can be hard to believe how much you should be saving now to get where you want to be then. Fidelity, BMC’s 401(k) Plan administrator, offers several calculators and tools that can help you determine where you are now and recommend steps you can take to work toward your retirement goals.

Whether or not you’re ready for some active retirement income planning today, completing Fidelity’s Retirement Decision Guide is well worth your while. Maintaining a checklist can reduce the stress of “what to do next” and help you feel more confident with the financial decisions you’re making for your future. Use this checklist to help keep you on track.

Think About Health Coverage After Retirement

Consider the cost of health coverage after retirement when you are saving and planning for retirement. The cost of health coverage after retirement is significantly higher than the price of health coverage while actively employed.

The ABCs (and Ds) of Medicare

If you’re getting close to age 65, you’ve probably heard about Medicare and how it helps cover healthcare costs for people 65 and better who qualify. It’s a federal health insurance program funded primarily from three sources: general revenues, payroll taxes, and beneficiary premiums.

In short, it’s a way for you to have healthcare coverage as you get older and leave the workforce to start a new chapter in your life.

Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) helps pay for inpatient care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility (following a hospital stay). Part A also pays for some home health care and hospice care.

Medicare Part B (medical insurance) helps pay for services from doctors and other health care providers, outpatient care, home health care, durable medical equipment, and some preventive services.

Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) includes all benefits and services covered under Part A and Part B. Some plans include Medicare prescription drug coverage (Medicare Part D) and other extra benefits and services.

Medicare Part D (Medicare prescription drug coverage) helps cover the cost of prescription drugs.

For additional information about Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-633-4227 to speak with a Medicare representative.

Read More

Stop 2: Your Benefits at Retirement

When you are considering retirement from BMC, you'll need to make some critical decisions about your benefit plans, like deciding what to do with your BMC 401(k) account balance and whether to continue your BMC health plans and…

When you are considering retirement from BMC, you'll need to make some critical decisions about your benefit plans, like deciding what to do with your BMC 401(k) account balance and whether to continue your BMC health plans and life insurance coverage.

To learn more about how your BMC medical coverage intersects with Medicare and Social Security, view this presentation or listen to this webinar recording.

Your 401(k) Savings Plan

As a retiree, you will no longer be able to make payroll contributions to your BMC 401(k) Savings Plan account. However, you have several options, including leaving your money in the Plan and using your account in much the same way you did as an active employee. Review the BMC U.S. Termination Guidelines for important information on what to expect when your employment with BMC ends.

You will continue to have access to your BMC 401(k) account through the Fidelity NetBenefits website and mybmcrewards.com.

Read More

Stop 3: Working Beyond Age 65

If you are considering still working when you reach age 65 – or you are already age 65 and still working at BMC – and you are Medicare eligible, you will have a lot to consider. Here's essential information you need to know…

If you are considering still working when you reach age 65 – or you are already age 65 and still working at BMC – and you are Medicare eligible, you will have a lot to consider. Here's essential information you need to know.

Medical and Prescription Drug Coverage

If you are Medicare eligible and continue working for BMC, you can either continue or end your medical and prescription drug coverage.

If You Continue Your Current BMC Medical Coverage

  • Your BMC medical coverage will be your primary coverage as long as you are a covered active employee. This means your BMC medical coverage will pay covered claims first.
  • Your BMC coverage is considered “creditable coverage.” This means you can delay your enrollment in Medicare Part B or Part D coverage and not incur a penalty for late enrollment.
  • Visit medicare.gov to learn more about these penalties and other important information if you delay your Medicare enrollment.

If You Enroll in Medicare and End Your BMC Medical Coverage

  • Enroll in Medicare at least 90 days before your Medicare eligibility date to allow for processing delays.
  • Enrolling in Medicare is considered a qualifying life event. Call Your Benefits Resources (YBR) at 1-877-262-4849 to speak with a representative about your qualifying life event within 31 days of the date your Medicare coverage becomes effective.
  • Your BMC medical coverage will end on the last day of the month in which you retire. BMC does not offer retiree medical/prescription drug coverage.
  • Since you will be Medicare eligible at the time you retire, any COBRA coverage you elect will be secondary to Medicare.
  • You can elect COBRA coverage for your dependents, even if you choose not to select COBRA coverage for yourself since you are enrolled in Medicare.
  • Becoming covered by Medicare at any time after enrolling in COBRA will generally cause your COBRA coverage to end. Coverage for your dependents, however, may continue.

Health Savings Account Rules and Medicare

If you choose to delay Medicare enrollment because you are still working and want to continue contributing to your HSA, you must also wait to collect Social Security benefits. This is because individuals who are receiving Social Security benefits when they become eligible for Medicare are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A. You cannot decline Part A while collecting Social Security benefits. If you wish to continue contributing funds to your HSA, you should delay Social Security benefits and decline Part A. If you plan to delay your application for Social Security benefits past age 65, be aware that your Medicare coverage start date begins up to 6 months before the date you become entitled to Social Security. To avoid penalties, you will need to stop contributing to your Health Savings Account up to 7 months before receiving Social Security benefits.

Use the Health Savings Account and Medicare Interactive Tool to learn more.

Read More

Stop 4: Know Your Resources

Review the BMC U.S. Termination Guidelines for important information on what to expect when your employment with BMC ends.

Review the BMC U.S. Termination Guidelines for important information on what to expect when your employment with BMC ends.

Vendor contact information

Retirement Readiness

Medicare

Social Security

Read More