Post-65 Retiree Benefits
Open Enrollment will run from Monday, October 27, 2025, through Friday, November 14, 2025. No action is needed before Open Enrollment.
As preciously announced, the current Legacy medical, dental and vision plans for retirees aged 65 or older will end on January 1, 2026. If a retiree is over age 65 and their spouse is under age 65, the spouse may continue coverage for themselves and covered dependents, until the spouse turns age 65. Spouses under the age of 65 who were previously covered must enroll during Open Enrollment to continue coverage. Contact askHR at askHR@northwestern.edu or 847-491-4700 to request an enrollment form.
If you’re a retiree over age 65, you will need to find new coverage for medical, dental, and/or vision as the Legacy plans will no longer apply. One option available is the Group Medicare Advantage plan Northwestern offers through UnitedHealthcare for medical, dental, and vision coverage.
The retiree does not need to be enrolled in University medical, dental, or vision coverage at retirement to elect the Medicare Advantage plan during Open Enrollment.
Contact United Healthcare at 1-844-481-8822 to find out more about this new plan or to enroll.
Group Medicare Advantage Plan
The Group Medicare Advantage Plan (MA), also known as “Part C”—administered by UnitedHealthcare— covers health care, prescription drug, dental care, eyeglasses and contacts, and emergency and urgently needed services worldwide, for one premium. For a monthly premium of $525 for 2026, you receive this coverage from the Group Medicare Advantage Plan.
The MA plan does not offer customizable, prescription drugs, dental, and vision. If you enroll in the plan and you have other coverage, this plan may pay primary.
Retirees must be enrolled in Medicare Parts A & B to enroll in the Group Medicare Advantage Plan.
The MA group plan has a broad range of providers in the network and the benefits are identical whether one sees a doctor in or out of network. Search providers at www.uhcretiree.com.
The retiree does not need to be enrolled in University medical, dental, or vision coverage at retirement to elect the Medicare Advantage plan.
Contact United Healthcare at 1-844-481-8822 to find out more about this plan. Enrollment in the MA plan as well as premium billing is managed by United Healthcare. Contact United Healthcare directly to enroll in the plan or with billing questions.
Note that if your eligible spouse enrolls in the MA plan, they will have their own coverage. Each person will need to enroll separately and will be billed separately.
Resources
- 2026 Medicare Advantage Guide
- Medicare Request for Employment Form (CMS L564)
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Medicare Part D Notice
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Notice of Change to Retiree Benefits for 2026
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2026 Post-65 Retiree Benefits Guide - Coming in Late October
Via Benefits - Assistance Shopping for Medicare Plans
Northwestern University provides personalized navigation support to retirees who wish to enroll in health, dental, or vision plans outside of what Northwestern offers. This service is available to retirees and their dependents who are not yet eligible for Medicare, as well as those over age 65. Via Benefits is the organization that provides retirees with personalized advice and enrollment assistance. They guide retirees through the steps needed to select coverage and complete their enrollment. With the assistance and expertise of a licensed benefit advisor, retirees will be able to select the coverage that fits their needs, budget, and lifestyle. This navigation support is offered at no cost to retirees.
Via Benefits will only assist with shopping for plans outside of Northwestern's offerings. They cannot compare Northwestern's Medicare Advantage Plans, Pre-65 Retiree Plans, or active faculty and staff plans to their offerings. Additionally, Via Benefits does not have access to your current benefit enrollment information or benefit usage. You will need to share any pertinent information with them directly.
Retirees can go online at www.viabenefits.education. This website contains educational materials on Medicare and information on different medical and drug plan options. When retirees are ready, they can call +1-833-995-1383 to speak with a Via Benefits advisor who will be available to answer their questions and offer objective guidance. The advisor will work with retirees, one-on-one, to review the plans available in their geographic area and help them choose and enroll in a plan that fits their individual needs.
Tuition Plans
If you retire from the University and meet the specified age and service requirements, you may continue to receive benefits from select tuition plans. For faculty members, retirement is the point at which one ceases to work full-time at any institution, not merely ends his/her employment at Northwestern University.
Retirees are eligible for the following benefits:
- Dependent Reduced
- Dependent Portable
- Note: only dependents who were your dependents prior to retirement are eligible for benefits. New dependents (newborns, stepchildren due to marriage, etc.) are ineligible.
Retirees are not eligible for the following benefits:
- Employee Reduced
- Employee Portable