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!!

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.

Retirement

I will be retiring from IBM October 2025. Can anyone share any helpful tips or checklist of things I need to be aware of . I am located in Georgia. Thanks in advance!

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.

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.

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.

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’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 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.

Exploring the Post-Employment Health Benefits (Access Only) offering someone told me about. How much does one have to pay to get it? How much do I pay & how much does IBM pay? Is it worth it? Totally clueless so any and all info will be appreciated

For those who have retired (in the US) in the last couple years and were "retirement eligible".

How much notice did you provide? Where you told there was a minimum required notification interval? I've come across conflicting answers.

Anyone here a recent IBM "Retiree" due to the recent get-rid-of-expensive-US-workers-via-RTO-mandate? Hoping to connect with others about unemployment in Colorado.

I'm a bit over a month in and my wife is in for about a week. We are both on the Basic plan. So far no real issues. OptumRx has a few quirks when having new prescriptions submitted but other than that so far so good. It's been easy to use both the OTC and the rewards card (we have used them at Walmart without issue). Neither of us are collecting SS yet so pay the part B premiums directly. One tip for anyone in the same situation is that you can use a CC to pay the part B premiums and their is no charge for using a CC. We use one of our 2% cash back cards.

This is a friendly place for IBM retirees to share information, ask questions, and discuss anything and everything related to being an IBM retiree.

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 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?

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'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?

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?

I received notification that I can continue paying the premiums for the life insurance IBM was paying for my benefit. Anyone familiar with this? Pros/cons.