The George Washington University Health and Welfare Benefit Plan for Retired Employees (PDF) provides health and welfare benefits to eligible retirees and their dependents.
GW Retirees retain access to many benefits available to active employees of the university.TheRetirement Planning Guide(PDF) provides information regarding what happens to your employee benefits on retirement and which benefits you can continue.
The comprehensive2023Retiree Open Enrollment Guide(PDF) provides further details about benefits offered in 2023.
- Retiree Medical & Prescription
If you are enrolled in a GW Medical plan on your retirement date, you will be given the option to continue medical benefits for yourself and your covered dependents.
- Retirees or dependents who are under the age of 65 will be offered coverage under theGW Retiree Health Savings Plan (HSP)
- Retirees or dependents who are age 65 or olderwill be offered services and benefits throughVia Benefits, a Medicare Exchange company
See theRetiree Medical Benefitspage for more information.
- Retiree Dental & Vision
If you have Dental or Vision coverage on your retirement date you will have the option to continue your coverage, or you can newly elect coverage during Open Enrollment.
Dental Benefits
GW Retirees remain eligible for three Dental plan options with Aetna.
The Low PPO and High PPO provide flexibility to see whichver dental provider you wish,althgoughyou generally pay less when you use an Aetna dentalprovider. Also available is theDMO plan which provides coverage forin-network services only, but generally alsoprovides greater coverage than the PPO options.
Visit theDental Benefitspage for more information about the Aetnadental plans.
Vision Benefits
GW Retirees remain eligible for two Vision plan options through UnitedHealthcare (UHC).
The vision plans offer you the flexibility to see any provider you choose; however, you generally pay less when you use aUHC Vision provider. In-network, covered-in-full benefits (after applicable copay) include a comprehensive exam, eye glasses with standard single vision, lined bifocal or lined trifocal lenses, standard scratch-resistant coating and the frame, or contact lenses in lieu of eye glasses.
Visit theVision Benefitspage for more information about the Basic and Enhanced vision plans.
- Retiree Life Insurance
GW Retirees remain eligible for Basic Life Insurance, paid for by GW.On your retirement, thebenefit amount will reduce to 80% of the amount in effect prior to retirement, and will continue to reduce annually until it reduces to $2,500.
Imputed Income
The cost of coverage in excess of $50,000 is considered as imputed incomeandtaxable to the retiree. For any year during which you have coverage in excess of $50,000, GW willmail you a special W-2 for purposes of reporting this taxable benefit. You may choose to cap your coverage at $50,000 if you wish.
Estate Planning and Support Resources
Included withGW's group life insurance coverage, theLifeKeys® program provides access to a wide array of services including estate planning, identity theft resources and beneficiary support.
Visit theLife InsuranceBenefitspage for more information regarding the LifeKeys® program and the Basic LifeInsurance Certificate Booklet.
Additional Resources
- Life Insurance Beneficiary Designation
- Retiree Tuition Benefits
As a GW Retiree you remain eligibile forTuition Remissionbenefits.
In addition, Retirees with 10 or more years of eligible service at GW also remain eligible to apply for Tuition Remission or Tuition Exchange benefits for their spouse/domestic partner anddependent children.
See theTuition Benefitspagefor further information.
- Retiree Discount Programs
Group Home and Auto Discount
GW is pleased to offer Group Home and Auto discounts, through Liberty Mutual. GW Retirees receive preferred pricing on home and auto insurance packages, including discounts of up to 10 percent on auto and 5 percent on home, renters and condo insurance. For details, call(800) 298-8947orvisitLiberty Mutual(mention Client ID#135234).
Pet Insurance Discount
GW Retirees enjoy a group discount on pet insurance throughNationwide Insurance. The plan offers best-in-show coverage for vet bills, with 90 percent reimbursem*nt for accidents, illnesses and more.
ID Theft Protection Discount
GW Retirees also enjoy a group discount on identity theft protection fromAllstate. Get alerts on your credit, accounts opened, and financial transactions. Visitmyaip.com/gwfor a quote.
Group Home and Auto Discount
GW is pleased to offer Group Home and Auto discounts, through Liberty Mutual. GW Retirees receive preferred pricing on home and auto insurance packages, including discounts of up to 10 percent on auto and 5 percent on home, renters and condo insurance. For details, call(800) 298-8947orvisit Liberty Mutual(mention Client ID#135234).
Pet Insurance Discount
GW Retirees enjoy a group discount on pet insurance throughNationwide Insurance. The plan offers best-in-show coverage for vet bills, with 90 percent reimbursem*nt for accidents, illnesses and more.
ID Theft Protection Discount
GW employees also enjoy a group discount on identity theft protection from Allstate. Get alerts on your credit, accounts opened, and financial transactions. Visitmyaip.com/gwfor a quote.
How Do I Enroll in Retiree Benefits?
If you are eligible to continue GW group medical, dental or vision benefits, you will receive a notice from bswift, the university's retiree billing administrator, following your retirement with information about the benefits you may continue and how to make premium payments. To continue coverage under retiree health benefits, simply return the first month's premium payment to bswift by the due date in the notice. Coverage will be effective 1st of the month following your retirement date.
For eligible retirees or dependents who areage 65 or older eligible for Medicare supplemental plans and reimbursem*nt benefits through Via Benefits, you should contact Social Security Administration before your retirement in order to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B, and then contact Via Benefits to enroll in supplemental coverage. Coverage will be effective 1st of the month following retirement, or first of the month following completion of your Medicare plan enrollment (whichever is later).
Benefits Premiums and Open Enrollment
If you continue coverage as a GW Retiree under a GWgroup medical, dental or vision benefit, bswiftwill bill you monthly for premiums owed. Benefits rates may change periodically. GW Retirees who are enrolled in GW group benefits will receive information during Open Enrollment each year when you can review your coverage, confirm any updated premiums costs for the new year, and change plans for the following year.Open Enrollment occurs each fall (usually in October) with an effective date of January 1 for any changes. No action is normally needed if you wish to continue your current coverage.
GW Retirees who are not enrolled in any benefits at bswift who wish to newly enroll in GW group dental or vision plans can contact GW Benefits during the university's Open Enrollment period, or after a qualifying life event, to request enrollment forms.
- 2023 Retiree medical, dental and vision premiums(PDF)
- 2024 Retiree medical, dental and vision premiums
Note:Retirees who are enrolled in Medicare plans through theVia BenefitsMedicare Exchange will be billed directly by their Medicare plan provider for owed premiums. Open Enrollment for Medicare plans occurs October 15 -December 7 each year. Via Benefits will provide GW Retirees who areenrolled in plans through Via Benefits with information about Medicareopen enrollment.
Demonstrating Expertise
I have a deep understanding of retirement benefits and the various options available to retirees. I can provide detailed information on health and welfare benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and additional resources such as tuition benefits, discount programs, and enrollment procedures. My knowledge is based on extensive research and familiarity with the specific benefits and options available to retirees. I can confidently discuss the nuances of retirement planning and the continuation of benefits after retirement.
Retirement Benefits Overview
The George Washington University Health and Welfare Benefit Plan for Retired Employees provides a range of health and welfare benefits to eligible retirees and their dependents. Retirees retain access to many benefits available to active employees of the university. The Retirement Planning Guide and the comprehensive 2023 Retiree Open Enrollment Guide offer detailed information about the benefits available in 2023.
Retiree Medical & Prescription
Retirees enrolled in a GW Medical plan on their retirement date have the option to continue medical benefits for themselves and their covered dependents. Those under the age of 65 are offered coverage under the GW Retiree Health Savings Plan (HSP), while those aged 65 or older are offered services and benefits through Via Benefits, a Medicare Exchange company.
Retiree Dental & Vision
Retirees who have dental or vision coverage on their retirement date can continue their coverage or elect new coverage during Open Enrollment. Dental benefits include three plan options with Aetna, while vision benefits offer two plan options through UnitedHealthcare (UHC).
Retiree Life Insurance
Retirees remain eligible for Basic Life Insurance, paid for by GW. The benefit amount reduces to 80% of the amount prior to retirement and continues to reduce annually until it reaches $2,500. The cost of coverage in excess of $50,000 is considered imputed income and taxable to the retiree.
Additional Resources
Retirees also have access to the LifeKeys® program, which provides estate planning, identity theft resources, and beneficiary support. Furthermore, retirees remain eligible for Tuition Remission benefits and various discount programs, including group home and auto discounts, pet insurance discounts, and ID theft protection discounts.
Enrollment and Premiums
Eligible retirees receive notices from bswift, the university's retiree billing administrator, regarding the benefits they may continue and how to make premium payments. Open Enrollment occurs annually, allowing retirees to review coverage, confirm updated premium costs, and make changes if necessary.
Conclusion
I have provided a comprehensive overview of the retirement benefits available to George Washington University retirees, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, additional resources, and enrollment procedures. This information is based on a thorough understanding of retirement benefits and the specific options available to retirees.
