[tiffdeandre]

is it true a retired nurse does not get health insurance or pension after they retire from nursing?

[llg]

Each employer offers its own package of benefits. Most include some type of retirement package -- be it a pension plan, 403B plan, or something else. Most do not include health insurance after retirement, but some do.

[elkpark]

Almost no hospitals offer a traditional (defined benefit) pension plan any more, but nearly all offer some sort of savings/investment program (401(k), 403(b), etc.) and typically contribute a modest amount of money to your account. Health benefits after retirement (provided by an employer) are rare.

Very few employers of any kind offer traditional pension plans or post-retirement health benefits any more, unless you are in a heavily unionized industry -- and even they are having a harder and harder time (that's what the recent GM strike was mostly about).

However, US nurses are eligible for Social Security and Medicare after retirement just like everyone else.

[qje444]

thank God my husband and i worked in the same place so he kept me on the family plan, as he wants to retire in 4 yrs.

[subee]

Originally Posted by elkpark

Almost no hospitals offer a traditional (defined benefit) pension plan any more, but nearly all offer some sort of savings/investment program (401(k), 403(b), etc.) and typically contribute a modest amount of money to your account. Health benefits after retirement (provided by an employer) are rare.

Very few employers of any kind offer traditional pension plans or post-retirement health benefits any more, unless you are in a heavily unionized industry -- and even they are having a harder and harder time (that's what the recent GM strike was mostly about).

However, US nurses are eligible for Social Security and Medicare after retirement just like everyone else.

No one, however, is permitted to work beyond minimal hours, and collect social security at 62. This discourages nurses who might welcome a part-time job. Its YOUR money. The Feds should waive nurses from this requirement that we not work while collecting SS at earlier age. Ah, the good old days when we were exempt from jury duty - bring that one back too - for those involved working in acute and LTC facilities.

[RNgirlie]

we get retirements in NY!!

[siggie13]

As soon as I found out that I could start to collect on my TSA (IRA) without paying a penalty at the age of 59.6, I quit at that age. I could have continued my health benefits at my hospital under COBRA for 18 months at the cost of almost $600 a month which I gratiously declinged, being as I am not a millionaire!. I can start to collect SS at 62 and can get medicare at 65. So, if I stay healthy for the next 5 years, I am all set.
I quit at 59 due to total and complete burnout and have not regretted it one second. I have always been frugal and still am.
Seems to me, that if one has spent their working life in medical service, then some sort of health coverage would be nice. But, then again, I do not live at the end of the yellow brick road!!

[oramar]

If you worked in state or local goverment frequently you can get health coverage after retirement. However, even those are starting to groan under the burden of paying health insurance for retired.

[neonatal3]

Hello to all !
Totally agree with siggie13 that it "....seems if one spent work life in medical service that there should be some sort of health insurance coverage provided (by the employer)..." !

One of the main reasons I selected my last nursing job was because at the time this hospital had plans for pension and continuation of coverage in group health insurance for retired nurses. Then,about five years before I was planning to retire, the hospital announced that, due to need for reduction of hospital costs, administration was dropping the post-retirement health insurance for retirees plan for any future retirees!! Shock!! Bummer!!

Also I agree with siggie13 about the current unreasonably high cost of health insurance such as Cobra or private health insurance for retirees!
In addition, many of us retired nurses have at least one pre-existing medical condition, and for this reason often the private health insurance companies decline our applications for individual coverage! Currently I do not have health insurance, and am looking forward to turning 65 when I will be eligible for Medicare.

This whole health insurance situation for many retired nurses seems to be so disrespectful to us medical employees who have worked in the trenches for decades to help other people!!