Government Works in Strange Ways

[TB Roye]

Today as I am turning 65 in a couple of weeks, I am now on Medicare. For over 40 years while working for the State of California, I had one ID card for my health insurance. A couple of months age I started getting letters form my Retirement Agency, my health insurance provider and Social Security Admistration, telling me what I had to do as I turned 65. It was very confusing and they all threatend me with loss of my health coverage unless I did certain things. So I filled out all the paper work and sent it all in and prayed that I did it correctly. I guess I did it correctly and have now received not one but three ID cards, replacing the one I had previously. I Medicare card, 1 health insurance provider card and 1 prescription card, from my health insurance provider. I also was informed by Social Security that my Medicare premium would be $93.50 a month and will be deducted from my monthly SS check. Now it gets weird. My retirement agency has reimbursed me the $93.50 and from what I can tell my health provider benifits have not changed nor have my copayment for Dr appointments and perscriptions. All I have to do is carry 3 card instead of one. So now I can loose 3 cards instead of one. Don't get me wrong I am very thankful for my health coverage and it was one reason I stayed working for the State as long as I did. I could have made a lot more money on the outside but stayed for the benifits and job security. But why does Government have to make it so confusing and dificult. Beleive me there were some stressful moments during this procedure. It is no wonder Senior Citizens, who are older than me can get confused by the all the red tape and paper work. The nice thing is my Health care provider takes care of all the paper work. I remember try to help my late mother with all the paper work she had to deal with as she got older. It should not be that way.

For all you youngesters who will be getting Social Security in the future, providing it doesn't go under. They don't pay on the first of the month it seems to be on the Wednesday closest to your birthday, mine is on the 3rd wednesday of the month and it does't start until 2 months after you qualify. So plan your budget ahead when you get ready to retire. Other wise retirement is great.


Tom

[Anna]

Congratulations on the retirement. The State of California has one of the best retirement packages available, so you're very lucky.

With respect to Social Security, I think you can also have them deposit it directly to the bank. That will make it less likely that the check gets lost in the mail or someone steals it from the mailbox.

In any case, I hope you enjoy your retirement. You deserve it.

-Anna

[Ed62]

You're gonna love it, Tom. It's the best job I ever had. Of course, you might find that everybody thinks you have all the time in the world if you're retired. They'll find a way to keep you busy.

Ed

[ragswl4]

Congratulations on your retirement. I have been retired for two years (retired at 58) and I absolutely love it. Take a week off then get to work on that list. You are gonna wonder how you were ever able to hold down a full time job with all the stuff you will be doing. My day starts at 5 AM and ends when I want it to and I am doing something that I enjoy every minute or I quit doing it. You're gonna love it.

[TB Roye]

I retired 4 years ago and went on SS at 62. But when you turn 65 then your become eligible for Medicare and the Part D drug plan. It was simple until I was forced to go on Medicare. I one time CA State retireies had a choice of taking Medicare or not. Then some pinhead in the Legislature change the law and we have to take it now. Don't know if it save the State Retirement System any money or not. Does't cost me anything execpt the hassle of signing up and hope you did the paper work right. I feel for all the Seniors who don't have what I (health plan wise) and all the confusing programs out there for them. It is not simple especialy the Drug plans. It should't be that way when you are older and have to make decisions like that.

As far as being retired it is the best job I have ever had and I loved my real job until two months before I retired and then things changed and I left. I am busier than I ever was working only thing is it is my choice. I do what I want, when I want and how I want and only have me to blame if I screw up. I do have to be careful as I don't have the energy I used to and sometimg I tend to get in over my head energy wise and have to back off.