Preparing to Retire - Additional Information

Medicare Considerations

Medicare is a federal program that offers health insurance to individuals aged 65 or older. Eligibility for Medicare Part A, which covers hospital insurance, begins at age 65 and is typically free. You can apply for this benefit even while continuing to work, which may be advantageous even if you have medical insurance through The Ohio State University. It’s advisable to seek guidance from Medicare or The Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) to understand your specific circumstances. OSHIIP, a free service provided by the Ohio Department of Insurance, offers impartial information about Medicare. For assistance, you can speak with a Medicare expert at OSHIIP by calling 800-686-1578.

If you are retiring from The Ohio State University at age 65 or older, it’s important to apply for Medicare benefits during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) if retiring at 65, or during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) if retiring later, to avoid penalties when enrolling in Medicare Part B. Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is the first opportunity to sign up for Medicare, spanning three months before your 65th birthday month, your birth month, and three months after your 65th birthday month.

Many employees continue working past age 65. If this applies to you, enroll in Medicare during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). Contact Medicare a few months before retiring to prevent late penalties for Medicare Part B. Additionally, if retiring after age 65, obtain a Medicare Verification Letter from The Ohio State University to avoid late enrollment penalties in Medicare Part B. You can request this letter by emailing HR Connection a few months before your retirement.

The Ohio State University Retirees Association (OSURA)

Retirees are invited to join The Ohio State University Retirees Association (OSURA), a volunteer organization providing educational, informational, cultural, social, travel, and volunteer opportunities. Retirees stay connected to the university through monthly newsletters, interest groups and sponsored events.

Social Security

If you held employment that paid into Social Security prior to coming to Ohio State, you will want to consider your Social Security benefits and have an account established by visiting ssa.gov. Use this tool to estimate potential future benefits. You may wish to do this one to two years prior to retirement.

Learn more about the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset that may impact your eligible Social Security benefits.

Other Offerings

Please contact these areas directly for eligibility: