Very interesting how different regions have different insurance options. I retired in 2004 under Golden 80 plan in Southern California. Pension is provided by WCT. At that time, we paid $50 monthly for same coverage we had while working. When I turned 65, had to switch to Medicare. I believe at that time the monthly premium had increased to $300 monthly over the last few contracts. Was a real sticker shock! I'm trying to decide if it would be more affordable to switch to a supplement and drop the UPS (Aetna) policy. However, having coverage for Dental and Vision is definitely a plus with UPS coverage. We've had many providers tell us we have GREAT coverage for those services. I think it would be nice to have a more uniform coverage for retirees across the states, but it is what it is.
I retired 2005 same plan!
Here is what happened to a long time friend and driver who retired under the same plan as ours.
His wife mostly manages their monies and insurance and she talked him into taking her off the Aetna UPS plan. There are
plans much cheaper she says for her. He thought it wasn't a good idea but went along with it.
BIG PROBLEM! 2 years later she needed to start a set of drugs not covered by her new insurance provider. Now they are paying 2.5 times what Aetna was per month just for her drugs, plus the monthly insurance fee. The next stage of life's drug change is biting them in Bung Hole. Once you drop? YOU ARE DONE! NO COME BACKS!
I guess the best thing to tell anyone reading this, before you jump off the Aetna plan do your due diligence with reading the fine print on any thing retirement or health related!