Life Events

TURNING AGE 65

Turning age 65 means you are now Medicare-eligible and may be considering commencing your benefit from the Basic or Supplemental Pension Plan. These health and pension milestones can bring Plans benefits changes. Click the tabs in the section below for more information on the changes you might need to make.

Download the Preparing for Retirement information sheet
Download the Retirement Timeline worksheet
Download our Medicare & the DGA - Producer Health Plan guide

POTENTIAL PENSION CHANGES

When you turn 65, you may be eligible to receive full benefits from the Basic Pension Plan (full benefits from the Supplemental Plan are available at age 60). If you would like to commence your Basic Plan benefits at age 65, there is important information you need to know to begin the process. Visit the Preparing for Retirement page for details.

CHECK YOUR BENEFIT VESTING STATUS ON myPHP

You can use the Plans’ online benefit portal, myPHP, to check whether you are fully vested once you reach age 65. Just follow the steps below:

  1. Create a myPHP account or log in here.
  2. Go to Pension.
  3. View Basic Plan Status.

For information on potential pension changes once you decide to retire and steps you may need to take to commence benefits, visit the Preparing for Retirement page.

MEDICARE ELIGIBILITY

When you turn 65, you become eligible for federal health insurance through Medicare. This may impact how the Health Plan pays your medical claims, whether you enroll in Medicare or not.

It is very important once you become eligible for Medicare to enroll in Medicare Part A and any other parts necessary based on your circumstance to avoid late penalties. To learn more about Medicare and Retiree Health, visit the web page here. You may also download a copy of the Plan’s Medicare & the DGA-Producer Health Plan guide, which has helpful information for those who are Medicare-eligible.

POTENTIAL HEALTH PLAN CHANGES

Aside from Medicare enrollment, once you turn 65, if you are considering retirement, you may need to prepare for important Health Plans coverage changes. Read the Health Plan section on the Preparing for Retirement page for more information.

HEALTH ACTION ITEMS

  •  Once age 65, you should enroll in Medicare Part A and any other parts based on your circumstance and existing Health Plan coverage to avoid late penalties. 
  • If you have Inactive coverage with the Health Plan, you should start enrolling in Medicare Part B at least three months prior to your 65th birthday. Read Medicare & Retiree Health for more information.
  • Check with your doctors to ensure they accept Medicare once you enroll to avoid higher out-of-pocket costs.
  •  If you are eligible to begin retiree coverage and receive notice from the Health Plan, you will have 30 days from your date of eligibility to notify the Health Plan of your intention to elect such coverage before permanently losing your right to elect retiree coverage in the future. NOTE: If you have Earned coverage that is ending, you have 60 days to elect retiree coverage as it runs concurrent with COBRA. If there is a gap in your coverage, which means you are not currently covered, then you have 30 days to make the election.
  • Submit a Pension Deduction Authorization Form – if you would like to authorize the Health Plan to collect your health care premium directly from your Basic Plan monthly pension benefit each month. This is only for participants on regular or retiree self-pay coverage.

PENSION ACTION ITEMS

  •  Complete and submit a Benefit Application Request Form to request a benefit application or a signed letter of instruction to the Plans office at least 60 days prior to the date on which you wish to start benefits.

POTENTIAL PENSION CHANGES

When you turn 65, you may be eligible to receive full benefits from the Basic Pension Plan (full benefits from the Supplemental Plan are available at age 60). If you would like to commence your Basic Plan benefits at age 65, there is important information you need to know to begin the process. Visit the Preparing for Retirement page for details.

CHECK YOUR BENEFIT VESTING STATUS ON myPHP

You can use the Plans’ online benefit portal, myPHP, to check whether you are fully vested once you reach age 65. Just follow the steps below:

  1. Create a myPHP account or log in here.
  2. Go to Pension.
  3. View Basic Plan Status.

For information on potential pension changes once you decide to retire and steps you may need to take to commence benefits, visit the Preparing for Retirement page.

MEDICARE ELIGIBILITY

When you turn 65, you become eligible for federal health insurance through Medicare. This may impact how the Health Plan pays your medical claims, whether you enroll in Medicare or not.

It is very important once you become eligible for Medicare to enroll in Medicare Part A and any other parts necessary based on your circumstance to avoid late penalties. To learn more about Medicare and Retiree Health, visit the web page here. You may also download a copy of the Plan’s Medicare & the DGA-Producer Health plan guide, which has helpful information for those who are Medicare-eligible.

POTENTIAL HEALTH CHANGES

Aside from Medicare enrollment, once you turn 65, if you are considering retirement, you may need to prepare for important Health Plans coverage changes. Read the Health Plan section on the Preparing for Retirement page for more information.

HEALTH ACTION ITEMS

  •  Once age 65, you should enroll in Medicare Part A and any other parts based on your circumstance and existing Health Plan coverage to avoid late penalties. 
  • If you have Inactive coverage with the Health Plan, you should start enrolling in Medicare Part B at least three months prior to your 65th birthday. Read Medicare & Retiree Health for more information.
  • Check with your doctors to ensure they accept Medicare once you enroll to avoid higher out-of-pocket costs.
  •  If you are eligible to begin retiree coverage and receive notice from the Health Plan, you will have 30 days from your date of eligibility to notify the Health Plan of your intention to elect such coverage before permanently losing your right to elect retiree coverage in the future. NOTE: If you have Earned coverage that is ending, you have 60 days to elect retiree coverage as it runs concurrent with COBRA. If there is a gap in your coverage, which means you are not currently covered, then you have 30 days to make the election.
  • Submit a Pension Deduction Authorization Form – if you would like to authorize the Health Plan to collect your health care premium directly from your Basic Plan monthly pension benefit each month. This is only for participants on regular or retiree self-pay coverage.

PENSION ACTION ITEMS

  •  Complete and submit a Benefit Application Request Form to request a benefit application or a signed letter of instruction to the Plans office at least 60 days prior to the date on which you wish to start benefits.