Medical Benefits for Notre Dame Retirees
So you’re planning to retire from Notre Dame. Congrats! This article is intended to help explain your unique Medicare options, and how retiree benefits from Notre Dame work.
Disclaimer - We are not affiliated with or endorsed by Notre Dame University in any way. This information is compiled from publicly available documents, and from years of first hand experience helping dozens of retirees from the University of Notre Dame.
Retiree Medical Benefit Eligibility
The University of Notre Dame offers a “Health Reimbursement Account” (HRA) benefit for eligible retired staff, faculty, and their spouses. In order to be eligible,
You must retire directly from the University of Notre Dame with at least 10 years of full time service after the age of 45.
You must have been covered by ND insurance at the time of retirement, and for your spouse to be offered this benefit, they must have been covered directly by ND insurance as well.
You must enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B
About Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRA)
Health Reimbursement Accounts reimburse you for out-of-pocket costs when purchasing private Medicare plans. The HRA is funded by the former employer. Notre Dame will contribute $750 annually per eligible enrollee. Amounts are prorated based on retirement date. Any unused amounts will rollover for the next year. Benefits are not taxable.
HRA funds can be used to reimburse for:
Medicare Supplement Plan Premiums
Medicare Advantage Plan Premiums
Part D Drug Plan Premiums
Dental & Vision Plans
Copays and deductibles
They cannot be used for Medicare Part B premiums.
Alight Solutions
Retirees may use the services of a provided benefit account advisor. The current benefit account advisors are Alight Solutions. Alight provides licensed insurance agents to assist with questions and enrollment into the plans they offer in your area. Typically retirees may discuss options with Alight’s advisors via phone calls or video conferencing. These services are provided at no cost to retirees.
Do I Have to Work With Alight?
No, retirees are not required to work with Alight Solutions. They may choose any advisor they wish to assist with questions and enrollment. Retirees that choose not to use the services of Alight will still receive their annual $750 HRA contribution.
Some retirees prefer working with an advisor face to face, or one that is a true expert on options within their respective community. Understand that you have the option to choose an advisor that you prefer if you do not wish to work with Alight. Like Alight, independent advisors do not charge any fees for services.
Filing for Reimbursement
Typically retirees file once or twice per year for reimbursements of out-of-pocket costs. This process can easily be completed online, or via a paper form. We are happy to assist clients with this task. Again, any unused funds rollover from year to year.
Are these Benefits Guaranteed?
The University expects to continue these plans, but since future conditions affecting the University cannot be anticipated or foreseen, the University must necessarily and does hereby reserve the right to amend, modify, or terminate these plans at any time.
Take the Next Step
We love helping Notre Dame retirees understand their options and feel comfortable with this important step in your retirement. If you would like a private consult with a local advisor, please call or message. We look forward to connecting!
4560 S Ironwood Drive, South Bend, IN. 46614