IBM health benefits blackout leaves retirees footing the bill

[Northeast Agent]

[EXTERNAL LINK] - IBM health benefits blackout leaves retirees footing the bil

To motivate former employees to trade their former health coverage for UnitedHealthcare's privatized version of Medicare, IBM said it would withhold retiree HRA funds for those who retained their legacy healthcare plans. In effect, ex-IBMers had to transfer or be locked out of healthcare subsidies.

A former IBM employee told The Register he was glad he refused to switch, despite losing access to his HRA funds, citing $50,000 in recent expenses covered without hassle by his original IBM health plan and Medicare Supplement Plan G.

But then, the HRA funds were never really his.

 

[somarco]

But then, the HRA funds were never really his.

I have had discussions with several people over the years who are reluctant to cut the apron strings no matter what I say.

Some are now discovering what I said was true . . . and they are in shock.

FWIW AT&T has done the same as IBM.