Post-65 Coverage

Overview of Post-65 Coverage

  • At age 65, you become eligible for medical benefits that are provided by or associated with Medicare. The University provides medical benefit coverage that either complements Medicare or serves as a replacement to traditional Medical programs. Changes can be made during an open enrollment period of if you have a life event change. Coverage options include:
    • Two plans that complement Medicare: UPMC’s National Complementary Program or Highmark’s Security 65 Program.
    • Three Preferred Provider Option (PPO) programs: One by Highmark and two by UPMC Health Plan. PPO’s offer a greater level of flexibility that includes coverage if you need non-emergency services outside of the Western PA area.
    • UPMC Health Plan offers a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) option that provides coverage very similar to the popular Panther Gold plan offered to active faculty and staff.
  • A post-65 dental and vision program are available.
  • Unless disabled at retirement, salary continuance, short-term disability, and long-term disability discontinue.
  • Life insurance for eligible retirees is equal to $1,500 for each year of service up to a maximum of $15,000. You may continue optional life insurance at group rates. No medical underwriting is required. 
  • Long-term care insurance may continue as long as you continue to pay the premium.
  • You may leave any assets in your accounts that you accumulated with TIAA and Vanguard. They provide financial planning services at no charge as long as you retain assets in their respective accounts.

Summary Guide to Benefits

2024 Post-65 Retiree Health Care Plans Summary Guide (current plan year)
(January 1 - December 31, 2024): Online | PDF

  • This guide includes information about retiring from the University, enrolling in retiree benefits, and more as a Post-65 retiree for calendar year 2024.

Medical Plans

The University provides medical coverage to retirees who are 65 or older that either complements Medicare or serves as a replacement to traditional Medical programs. The coverage options include:

  • Two plans that complement Medicare: UPMC’s National Complementary Program or Highmark’s Signature 65 Program
  • Three Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) programs: One by Highmark and two by UPMC Health Plan. PPOs offer a greater level of flexibility that includes coverage if you need non-emergency services outside of the Western PA area.
  • UPMC Health Plan offers a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) option that provides coverage very similar to the popular Panther Gold plan offered to active faculty and staff.

View a Post-65 Comparison Grid of 2024 plan year medical plan options

Learn more about medical plans.

Dental and Vision Plans

Dental coverage includes United Concordia, which offers a program called Concordia Access that focuses on preventive and minor restorative coverage. Discounts are provided for major restorative services.

Vision coverage includes Davis Vision by MetLife, which offers a vision program similar to the Fashion Plan available to active faculty and staff.

Learn more about dental and vision plans.

Education Benefits

Retirees who are age 65 and older may be eligible for education benefits at the University for themselves and their spouses, domestic partners, and dependent children.

Learn more about the education benefit.

Long Term Care/Disability Benefits

Disability coverage is discontinued upon retirement, however there are some exceptions in regards to long-term disability coverage. Long term care insurance coverage may continue as long as you continue to pay the premium directly to Unum.

Learn more about long term care coverage.

Life Insurance

  • Basic Life Insurance: For official retirement from the University, the University provides group life insurance at no cost in the amount of $1,500 for each year of service up to a maximum of $15,000.
  • Optional Life Insurance: It is “portable” which means you have the ability to continue optional life insurance at group rates. No medical underwriting is required.

Learn more about life insurance and surviving family coverage options.

Retirement Savings

As a post-65 retiree, you may leave any assets in your retirement account. Review an overview of retirement savings plan information for retired faculty and staff members who are 65 years and older, including eligibility, actions steps, and contact information.