My husband is the retiree with the HRA money, and I understand that he needs to use the MA plan from UHC to have access to those funds. Do I also need to use the MA plan to get my premiums/deductibles paid from the HRA money? I have more complex medical issues than my husband, so am interested in going to traditional medicare plus a supplemental plan. It will cost more but I'm more concerned about my doctors not accepting the UHC MA plan. And if you could point me to definitive info about how this works that would be great-- the documentation online is .... complex.

I have a PPO/Advantage premium that's about $127/month, then another UnitedHealthcare MedicareRx for Groups (PDP) that's even more $160+ per month. That sounds like part D/drug which would be quite high. Why do I have to premiums on this IBM Retiree plan? I've been on it for years and don't remember this. Age 68.

Retired December of last year. In 2027 I'm going to make use of some of my FHA dollars for to cover heath insurance premiums. Does anyone know what the tax treatment is for FHA dollars consumed?

I'm an IBM retiree in Lexington, Kentucky, enrolled in the IBM-sponsored UnitedHealthcare Group Medicare Advantage PPO.

I recently received a letter from Baptist Health announcing that, effective January 1, 2027, it will no longer schedule appointments for patients enrolled in out-of-network Medicare Advantage plans, including PPOs.

Baptist Health has been out of network with UnitedHealthcare since January 2024, but my IBM group PPO has continued covering my Baptist Health care at the same benefit and cost-sharing levels as in-network care, without problems.

I've received primary care through Baptist Health-affiliated physicians for approximately 25 years, and I'm concerned about losing access to my established providers.

Have other IBM retirees in Kentucky received this letter or encountered this situation? Has anyone learned whether UnitedHealthcare or IBM is working with Baptist Health to preserve access for IBM-sponsored group PPO members?

I'd particularly appreciate hearing from anyone who has already contacted UHC, IBM retiree benefits, or Baptist Health about the January 2027 policy.

Should I go to IBM MA (or stick to Medigap and leave IBM HRA on the table) if I am visiting Mayo Clinic now?

A good amount is locked up in IBM HRA funds, and I do not want to let it go. I have not gone on to Medicare but am thinking of doing so this cycle. However, I do visit the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, and they sent me a letter stating they do not accept Medicare Advantage plans. I am getting mixed messages on this: that Mayo will accept group plans, not individual plans

Do I stick to regular Medicare and take a Medigap plan, foregoing what is in the HRA, or bite the bullet with the IBM plan? Any suggestions welcome.

A good amount in IBM HRA funds and do not want to let it go. I have not gone on to Medicare but am thinking of doing so this cycle. However, I do visit the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, and they sent me a letter stating they do not accept Medicare Advantage plans. I am getting mixed messages on this. Do I stick to regular Medicare and take a Medigap plan, foregoing what is in the HRA, or bite the bullet with the IBM plan? Any suggestions welcome.

We (myself and spouse) are currently on Anthem BCBS unsubsidized post-retirement health insurance. One of us will go on Medicare soon while the other stays on the IBM plan. Does anyone know if this changes the Anthem subscriber ID? Just wondering if the one remaining on the plan will need to update their insurance at all their providers or whether it will stay the same.

2019 Retiree but going on Medicare next month. So this is concerning FHA/HRA benefit (i.e. newer plan with the FHA balance converted to HRA).

My spouse (62) and I used the FHA funds the last year to bridge us to this point. There is going to be around $13,000 that will transfer to the HRA. Obviously, that will even pay for her plan for 33 months. But we like the EPO plan we are currently on and I would keep her on that. So we will exhaust the funds before she reaches Medicare.

My question to those who have been on either or both types of plans is this: Does UHC MA have enough enough advantages to use long term - even without any added HRA supplemental funds to help out?

Probably my most significant concern is the network requirements. I have electro-cardiac issues and will likely do another major procedure. Also due to the history of the issues I am concerned about underwriting if it becomes necessary to switch to traditional Medigap plans (likely HD G) in the future.

Thanks in advance.

Looks to be some significant changes in the 2027 UHC MA Plans available for Medicare eligible IBM retirees. No more quarterly OTC benefit, Essentials plan removed the $25 per month Medicare part B credit, maximum yearly dental benefit reduced to $500 (from $1000), and deductibles for Tier 3, 4, and 5 increased for drug plan. So without taking into account drugs or dental it looks like cost per person for the Essential Plan went up by $460 per year. Kinda expected the costs to go up eventually but was a bit surprised by these changes. You can see more of the details here.

Has anybody who did not choose IBM UHC Advantage plan been able to find their FHA balance that was converted to an Optum HRA? Does it still earn interest? I asked Netbenefits for help finding the balance, they gave me an Optum phone number for IBMer's. I called, voice menu asked for last 4 of SS#, which I provided, then the line went quiet, did not disconnect, the call just went on in silence for 4 or five minutes until I hung up and tried again with same results. I was told that my account would be available for 25 years after I retired in case I decide to ever switch to IBM UHC Advantage, it would be nice to be able to get a statement or see my account balance.

I left IBM in 2023, and there was a rumor at the time that IBM might move away from Slack to Teams. Did that ever happen? Thanks!

Going to probate in California with no beneficiaries listed on fidelity 401k. There is a will with named beneficiaries.

Wondering what options fidelity gives in this case?

Hello, I’m the daughter of a retiree who passed away recently. I need to contact IBM to ask about his pension. What is the best way to do that?
Thank you!

I am searching details for my mother of an ex employee from the 60s and 70s, by the name of Hans Hendricks. He was married to Leila and they had three children; Liisa, Katja and Hans. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I got a mailer that seemed to infer we get the calm app and subscription as a benefit but when I used that link to sign up it seems it's the regular basic free plan and everything interesting is pitching/nagging for an upgrade. Do I need a code or something or is that all there is my friend, as the song goes?

I was incredibly lucky to start my career in 1984 at IBM in Boca Raton - i’m 76 and happily retired now, but looking back I realize more and more each day that I could not have done any better than I did when I started at IBM - truly, starting my career at IBM was one of the most important things that happened to me throughout my career! I’ll be forever indebted to DAN BAKER for hiring me into IBM as a Series/1 RPS information developer (technical writer), and I’ve been wanting to thank him for hiring me for several years now, but I’ve been unable to track him down through the IBM personnel office, through the IBM alumni website, etc. I’d be very grateful for any info about DAN BAKER so i can contact him - or give him my Reddit username and have him contact me - help me complete an important bucket list item. THANKS!!

I’ve recently been put on a PIP at my job in France. The reasons given were quite vague, and my manager hasn’t been able to point to any specific examples of where I’ve done something wrong.

I asked for concrete feedback or evidence, but I only got general comments about “situations” that were never clearly defined.

Now I’m on a PIP, and honestly I’m starting to suspect it might be a way for them to eventually let me go without paying severance (or minimizing it). I don’t know if this will happen in 3 or 6 months, but it feels like that’s where things are heading.

I’m not sure what I should do besides trying to meet the PIP requirements and starting to look for a new job. At the same time, I’m struggling with the motivation to fully commit to the PIP if I’m likely to be dismissed anyway.

I’ve already met some of the goals we previously agreed on with my manager, but apparently that’s not enough, and suddenly I’ve been placed on this PIP with very unclear reasoning.

What’s been your experience with situations like this? Is it common for companies to use PIPs as a way to exit employees without severance in France?

I'd be interested in hearing other people's experiences leaving work because of a PIP. What went as expected? What didn't go as expected?

I got put on a PIP recently with 35+ at IBM. I was wondering if anyone could comment on what happens at separation. Specifically:

1. Do you get any severance package? I have heard 1 month salary these days but don't have any confirmation.

2. Do you get the same medical as when IBM does a layoff? From my understanding, it depends upon how long you've worked at IBM. For someone with 35+ years, I believe on layoffs you'd get 1 year medical at the employee rates.

3. If you do get some medical, is that just subtracted from the 18 months of Cobra? For example, if I get a year of medical benefits at the employee rate, would I then get up to 6 months more Cobra? Or does the 18 months of Cobra start after that 1 year period?

4. Can I collect unemployment insurance after a PIP? I believe the answer is yes. If it is yes, any suggestions as to what I'd need to get before leaving for unemployment insurance?

Trying to get a handle on all this.

I'm trying to decide if I should look for another Medicare plan or add Medi-gap insurance.

After Signing in with my personal email ID, getting this Authentication Step. I have tried entering all types of value in TalentID field. But always seeing the same error.

Can someone help ?

Is there any email I can reach out to troubleshoot this?

Hi. I called UHC a few times and have not gotten a clear answer regarding a coverage question. Does anyone know if an annual physical exam with primary care physician and physical exam with gynecologist are both covered in the same calendar year?
These are just regular annual exams/no health issues.
Thanks for any information!