I've been told to expect a layoff notice next month. I'm 65. Been with T for 22 years. "Management" (non-union).
Any advice on things to watch out for? e.g. "Be sure to apply for Medicare Part-B as soon as you have a termination date."
Is there a, "What to Expect When You're Getting Laid-off By AT&T" document?
Can you get scipts for medicine you don’t need and sell those to supplement your income?
One sneaky little thing about Medicare Advantage is that plans are tied to your primary residence zip code.
Meaning that if you get sick or injured while traveling outside your home area, you have zero coverage as you are out of network.
Supplement plans follow you wherever you go in the country.
No decent Broker will let you go with an Advantage plan.
Who do you call at AT&T to get verification of employment and healthcare for the last three years. And the telephone number. I do not use FB on purpose. Thank you.
Get a Medicare Supplement Plan G if you have the money. It is contract for your life. No health questions if you apply within six months of your 65th Birthday.
Walk towards the light.
I am on Medicare after retiring from AT&T. Don't be fooled by a Medicare Advantage Plan is free. Your will still "pay" for Part B regardless. I do not recommend a Medicare advantage Plan as you will still be the watchful eyes of an insurance company:). Instead get Part A and B (required either way) and D (for prescriptions) and G to cover what Medicare doesn't. Part B and D have an income component (IRMMA) and your price is based on your income from 2 years ago
You may be eligible for AT&T Group Medicare Advantage benefits. If so, that results in a $0 premium, $900 OOP in and/or out of network combined. It breaks down to $75/month and part A & B are kicked to the curb.
I like the certainty that this brings. The individual market deteriorated for 2025, so I hopped aboard the AT&T medical train. It's kinda hard to believe, but my retirement health care sports AT&T logo after all these years.
Enjoy your Sunday afternoons.
Cache clearing guy is a low performer who likely ought to be let go.
Lonely pathetic and sad cache clearing guy is back at it.
“There is also an “ATT Retiree Issues” group, that one is mostly elderly folks complaining about their prescription dr-g costs. Not nearly as helpful.”
True story. Many members in that group are still actively on payroll.
Check on HROnestop and see if you can find any information about leaving the Company.
Join the FB group “AT&T Retirement Planning Club” immediately. There are a couple different groups, this one is by far the best. Lots of useful and current information. Great moderators that are super knowledgeable. There is also an “ATT Retiree Issues” group, that one is mostly elderly folks complaining about their prescription dr-g costs. Not nearly as helpful.
Join AT&T Retiree group on Facebook. Lots of good advice and questions answered. Also Hr has a What to expect link on their web site
@a4:
Part D is not a requirement. The only "requirement" in Medicare is the basic Part A. Most people get Part B to go along with it, since something such as outpatient isn't covered in Part A.
OP:
Believe it or not, the Medicare subreddit is very useful and helpful. Just use their search bar to look for specific topics within: https://www.reddit.com/r/medicare/?rdt=44189
Congratulations on your newfound freedom!
Find out if your state has a local Senior Advocates program to walk you through the Medicare process. Also look into local insurance brokers that specialize in Medicare.
Do not put this off as any deadline to file you miss will penalize you monetarily for the rest of your days.
Expect to pay about $184 per month out of pocket for Part B. A decent supplement plan averages an extra $220 out of pocket per month. Avoid Advantage plans like the plague. A good Broker will tell you why.
Part D prescription is a requirement even if you don't use scripts. Cheap plans can be found for a few bucks.
Dental plans are the ki-ler - yes, cheap to start but could never find one that covers anything other than a routine cleaning for Year Number 1. If you need filings, crowns, etc, get them done while still employed or wait until the 1 year hold period had elapsed.
Good luck, figuring out retirement, Medicare, and Social Security are not for the weak of
mind.
Last thing, when I applied for SSA and Medicare I needed a signature from HR affirming I had health care through the company since age 62.
Took 5 weeks to track down an actual life body in HR. All the "call these numbers" either got a clueless aLight contractor in Arkansas or worse, 19 year old call center guys in India asking for my Social Security numbers. NOPE. Ain't doing that sport.
Almost ended up just forging a name I got from the company directory, before some HR dude eight states away agreed to sign the pdf after I threatened to spam him every day of his life.
Good luck.
I wish you all the best. This place is a he-l hole.