Suggested Questions for a Consultation with a Benefits Counselor

Health Insurance

• At what age may I continue my health and dental insurance in retirement?
• Do I have to be enrolled in a NU health plan to be covered as a retiree?
• Who is eligible ( PDF) to continue health insurance coverage through the University as a retiree?
• Does the cost of retiree health insurance change significantly after I retire or when I reach age 65?
• Can I continue my HMO coverage if I plan to move out of the area or if I plan to travel for extended periods of time out of the area?
• What is the impact of Medicare on my health plan coverage and cost?
• What are the differences between Medicare Part A and B?
• Do I have to enroll separately in Medicare Part A and B?
• Where do I obtain enrollment forms and when do I need to submit them?
• What are my coverage options?
• My spouse is currrently working and will continue working after I retire, can I add my spouse to my coverage at the time my spouse retires?
• When is retiree health insurance effective?
• Do I receive new membership cards?
• Can I change health plans after I retire?
• How do I learn more?
• Are the co-payments the same after I retire?
• What if I die, can my spouse continue health insurance coverage through the University?

Life Insurance and other Coverage

• Will I have enough life insurance coverage in the event of my death?
• How do I know who I've designated as beneficiaries?
• What is the cost if I choose to convert my NU insurance after I retire?
• What steps do I need to take to continue coverage?
• Many individuals perform an audit of their current benefit coverage and amounts. For example, do I still need life and accidental coverage amounts at the same level as when I had dependents under my care and my financial assets were modest?

Retirement Plan

• I've worked at other Universities prior to coming to NU, how do I integrate the retirement or pension plans I had at those institutions into my overall retirement planning?
• How do I know if I will have enough saved to cover my living expenses?
• How can I find out what my options are at retirement?
• Can I delay taking action or must I withdraw my accumulated funds at retirement?

Social Security

• What will be the amount of Social Security income?
• Am I required to begin Social Security income at the time I retire?
• Can I delay the start of Social Security income?
• How can I learn more about Social Security?