Retiree FAQs

WHAT HAPPENS TO MY INSURANCE WHEN I TURN 65?

When you turn age 65, you will begin Medicare coverage. The coverage begins on the first of the month of your 65th birthday, OR if your birthday is the first of the month, Medicare coverage begins the first of the previous month.  Our Anthem plans do not coordinate with Medicare, and therefore your Anthem medical coverage, and Welldyne prescription coverage, will end.  You will need to obtain a Medicare Supplement plan and a prescription plan, to accompany your Medicare coverage.  You are encouraged to make an appointment with the SSA a couple of months before your birthday, or contact a VICAP coordinator for a better understanding of your options under Medicare to ensure you are ready for your coverage to begin on time. 

A couple of months prior to your 65th birthday, PWC Benefits Staff will mail you information on the termination of your Anthem benefits.  Your payment for the Anthem insurance will be automatically stopped for you.  You will also receive a new Bolton Partners, Inc., health insurance credit form to update your new premiums with Medicare and your new supplement plan.   If you have your spouse or children still on your policy, you will receive information on how to continue their coverage until the end of their eligibility.

HOW LONG CAN I KEEP MY MEDICAL, DENTAL AND VISION INSURANCE?

Your Anthem medical insurance will terminate once you reach Medicare eligibility.  You may remain on the PWC retiree Delta Dental and VSP Vision insurance for life.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MY CHILDREN ON MY INSURANCE PLANS REACH AGE 26?

A couple of months prior to your child's 26th birthday, you will receive information in the mail regarding the termination of their coverage, along with the option to enroll them in the PWC plans under COBRA, for up to 36 additional months.   The premium will be the full cost of a retiree single contract.   Your premiums for your Anthem insurance will automatically be adjusted, if the termination of the child's coverage will change the tier level (ie, if this is the only child on your plan, and the termination of their coverage drops you from retiree/child to a single policy)

What changes can I make to my benefits and when?

 

  1. You may drop dependents or cancel your coverage at any time.  To do so, please email the [email protected]
  2. You may change plans, ie from one medical or dental plan to another, during open enrollment.  Information will be mailed or emailed to you each year at open enrollment, outlining any new benefits or changes, and indicating how to make changes if you wish to do so.
  3. You may add dependents if you get married or have a baby, as long as you do so within 30 days of the event.   Beyond the 30 days, you would not be able to add them at any time.
  4. If you do not elect to continue coverage at retirement, you cannot pick it up later, and if you choose to cancel your coverage, you may not re-enroll at a later time.

CAN I ADD DEPENDENTS TO MY COVERAGE?

You may add dependents if you get married or have a baby, as long as you do so within 30 days of the event.   Beyond the 30 days, you would not be able to add them at any time

HOW DO I WITHDRAW MY 401A/457?

To withdraw your ICMA 401a or 457 Deferred Compensation plan funds, you may contact ICMA directly, at www.icmarc.org, or 800-669-7400

WHAT IS RMD?

RMD stands for Required Minimum Distribution, and is the time that the IRS requires you to begin taking distribution of funds in your retirement accounts, which is normally age 70 1/2.  More information may be found at this link:  https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-required-minimum-distributions-rmds

DO I HAVE TO HAVE VA STATE TAXES DEDUCTED FROM MY VRS CHECK?

No, you do not have to have state income taxes withheld from your VRS pension check.  Keep in mind that VRS does not withhold income taxes from any other state.  If you live in a state that does not tax your pension, you may stop the state tax deduction.  If you live in a state that does tax your pension, you will need to decide if you want VRS to withhold VA taxes and then use the VA refund to pay your state, or if you'd rather stop the tax deduction and save the money on your own to pay your state's taxes.   The VRS tax form can be found on their website, or in the Forms link of this site.

WHO IS BOLTON PARTNERS, INC?

Bolton Partners, Inc., is the third-party vendor contract with PWC to administer the Prince William County health insurance credit, and also deduct premiums for retirees in some instances.