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Retirement/Retiree Information

Published

May 22, 2025

| Human Resources | Updated

September 15, 2025

HEALTH PLAN RATES and INFORMATION

HEALTH PLAN FORMS


INFORMATION FOR RETIREES/RETIREE SPOUSES TURNING 65
The health plans you can enroll in after age 65 depend on whether you’re eligible for Medicare.  If you or your spouse are turning 65, follow these steps:

1. Prepare: Watch these quick videos to learn about the Parts of Medicare and the GIC Medicare supplement plan enrollment process.  You may also want to
read this article on how Medicare works with other insurances.

2. Determine Eligibility: About 3 months before you turn 65, Check your  eligibility for Medicare (Parts A and B).  If you’re eligible, apply for Parts A and B (you will not need Part D if you enroll in a GIC Medicare supplement plan).  Review this checklist before starting your application  See note below on effective dates before selecting a start date for your Medicare plan. If you aren’t eligible for Medicare, you can enroll/remain in the same health plans available to active employees.

3. Enroll: If you are Medicare-eligible, you will need to enroll in a Medicare supplement plan through the GIC.  Scroll to the bottom of the page for plan information.  If you are a new retiree, contact the Town HR office to enroll.  If you are already retired and are turning 65, you can enroll by responding to the letter you should received from the GIC or contacting the Town HR office.

IMPORTANT: Effective Dates for Retiree Coverage

If you are a current employee who will be retiring, your active employee plan will remain in effect until the end of the month following the end of your employment, per GIC regulations.  For example, if your employment ends June 30, your active employee coverage will end July 31 and your retiree coverage will start August 1.  If you are age 65+ at the time of retirement and will be enrolling in Medicare, your Medicare start date should coincide with the start of your GIC retiree plan to avoid overpayment.  Contact HR with questions.

For questions about Medicare, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or take advantage of the SHINE Program, a service that provides free Medicare counseling (typically through your local Senior Center/Council on Aging).  For questions about retiree health and dental insurance, contact the Town HR office at 978-639-3348.

 

RETIREMENT SYSTEM and PENSION INFORMATION

PERAC Retirement Guides 
Public Employee Retirement Guide – Membership prior to 4/2/12
Public Employee Retirement Guide – Membership on/after 4/2/12

Social Security and Your Pension
NEW: Social Security Fairness Act Update
Information on the Windfall Elimination Provision
Information on the Government Pension Offset

CONTACT INFORMATION

Middlesex County Retirement System
25 Linnell Circle
Billerica, MA 01821
Website: https://middlesexretirement.org/
Phone: 978-439-3000

Mass. Teacher’s Retirement System
500 Rutherford Avenue, Suite 210 
Charlestown, MA 02129 
Website: https://mtrs.state.ma.us/
Phone: 617-679-6877

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