Retiree Benefits

Congratulations on your retirement! The following information is meant to help you through your time of retirement and making benefit decisions. Your active employee benefits will terminate when you retire. You have two WSU options for medical, dental and vision insurance when you retire:

  1. COBRA allows you to continue group medical, dental and/or vision benefits when you or your dependents become ineligible for university benefits. You will receive a COBRA package in the mail after your termination date. Click here to learn more about COBRA.
  2. WSU retiree medical, dental and/or vision. Please learn more below. 

For further detailed information, please refer to the Retiree, Surviving Spouse and Long-Term Disability Recipient Benefits Handbook

Retiree benefits

  • Medical Insurance

    You may elect to continue your medical insurance through Wayne State University. You may enroll at the time of retirement, when your COBRA continuation ends, during Open Enrollment or when you experience a change as outlined on pages 14-15 of the Retiree, Surviving Spouse and Long-Term Disability Recipient Benefits Handbook.

    The university offers five retiree medical plan options:

    Retiree plan Plan type Coverage information Contact information
    Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan (PPO) Retiree Master Plan ID #: 0014316
    Aetna Summary of Benefits
    888-267-2637
    aetnaretireeplans.com
    Blue Care Network Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Group #: 00111308
    BCN Pre-65 Summary of Benefits
    BCN Post-65 Summary of Benefits
    800-662-6667
    www.bcbsm.com
    Blue Cross Shield of Michigan (BCBS) Traditional Fee-for-service Plan Group #: 007002779
    BCBS Pre-65 Summary of Benefits
    BCBS Post-65 Summary of Benefits
    877-354-2583
    www.bcbsm.com
    HAP  Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)

    Group #: 10000664
    HAP Summary of Benefits

    800-422-4641
    www.hap.org/
    HAP Senior Plus Medicare Advantage Plan (HMO)

    Group #: 10000664
    HAP Senior Plus Summary of Benefits

    800-801-1770
    www.hap.org/

    Enrollment 

    You may enroll at the time of retirement, when your COBRA continuation ends, during Open Enrollment or when you experience a change as outlined on pages 14-15 of the Retiree, Surviving Spouse and Long-Term Disability Recipient Benefits Handbook.

    To enroll:

    Quickest option: e-mail: askhr@wayne.edu
    (use your WSU e-mail and include “#SECURE” in the subject line to ensure your personal information is encrypted)

    Mail: HR Service Center, 5700 Cass Ave., Suite 3638
    Detroit, MI 48202

    Fax: 313-577-0637

    Please note: If you are 9-month employee retiring at the end of the Winter Semester in May, your 9-month active employee coverage is active through August 31. Enrollment into retiree plans will apply beginning September 1. Learn more about how 9-month employees pay for Summer premiums

    Rates & payments

    Click here for 2024 retiree rates.

    Retiree medical insurance coverage and rates apply beginning the first of the month following your date of retirement or COBRA ending or January 1 if you enroll during Open Enrollment. You will be billed for the monthly premium by the university's billing agent, Navia Benefit Solutions (excluding Aetna). Payments are due by the first of the month for the given month's coverage. Payments not received within 45 days will result in cancellation of coverage.

    Billing administrator Phone Web
    Navia Benefit Solutions 877-920-9675 http://cobrapoint.benaissance.com/

    Medicare & WSU retiree medical plans

    Please be aware that WSU is not affiliated with Medicare, nor in the position to offer advice or guidance regarding Medicare other than factual information regarding WSU insurance. WSU is not responsible for enrolling employees, retirees or their spouses in Medicare. We encourage you to refer to Medicare.gov to learn more about Medicare.

    At the time of retirement:

    If you are retiring and you (or your spouse, if you are planning on covering them on your plan) are age 65 or older and you plan to enroll in a WSU retiree medical plan, you (or your spouse) will need to apply for Medicare Hospital Insurance (Part A) and Medicare Medical Insurance (Part B). You may be given a form to be completed by your employer to verify your employment and your medical insurance status. Please mail or fax this form to the the HR Service Center via secure (encrypted) e-mail to askhr@wayne.edu, mail or faxed to 313-577-0637. We will be happy to complete the form and return it to you.

    Medicare will be you (or your spouse's) primary insurance. Your university retiree medical insurance will be secondary. You must provide the HR Service Center with a copy of your Medicare card in order to enroll in a WSU retiree medical plan.

    9-month employees retiring in May (end of Winter semester):

     When you terminate employment at the end of the Winter semester and are not actively working but have WSU benefit coverage through August 31, if you (or your spouse) have Medicare or get Medicare in June, July or August, Medicare will become primary and WSU benefit coverage is secondary for those months. You will need to let your providers know Medicare is primary and WSU coverage is secondary. Please visit medicare.gov to learn more.

    If you are already retired:

    If you are already retired and you (or your spouse, if covered on your plan) are turning age 65 and you are enrolled or plan to enroll in a WSU retiree medical plan, you (or your spouse) will need to apply for Medicare Hospital Insurance (Part A) and Medicare Medical Insurance (Part B) before the 1st of the month of Medicare eligibility (month of 65th birthday). Medicare will be your (or your spouse's) primary insurance. WSU retiree medical insurance will be secondary. You must provide the HR Service Center with a copy of you (or your spouse's) Medicare card as soon as you receive it. Your plan tier (and premium rates) will change at the time you (or your spouse) turns 65 and becomes Medicare eligible. If we don't receive a copy of your Medicare card showing coverage dates that coincide with Medicare eligibility dates (1st of month of 65th birthday), coverage will terminate for the Medicare eligible person at the end of the month prior to Medicare eligibility month. 

    Once you (or your spouse) have Medicare, please remember that Medicare will be your (or your spouse's) primary insurance and your retiree coverage through WSU will be secondary. For services the first month after your Medicare eligibility date, you will want to show both your Medicare card and your WSU retiree medical insurance card to your health care providers. It will make a difference in how they submit your claims.

    If you plan to cover your spouse on a WSU retiree medical plan and are enrolling in either HAP Senior Plus or Aetna Medicare Plan (PPO), you must both be Medicare eligible and each person must complete a separate enrollment form. 

    Quick links

    Disenrollment

    If you decide to terminate your BCBS, BCN, HAP, or HAP Senior Plus medical insurance coverage through Wayne State University, you must send written notification or complete the Retiree Medical Plan Election Form and send to either Navia Benefit Solutions or the HR Service Center (askhr@wayne.edu). Your insurance will be canceled at the end of the month in which we receive your termination notice. To terminate Aetna Medicare Plan (PPO) coverage, you must communicate your intentions directly to Aetna.

    To terminate BCBS, BCN, HAP or HAP Senior Plus: To terminate Aetna Medicare Plan (PPO):
    Navia Benefit Solutions
    PO Box 3961
    Seattle, WA 98124-3961
    WSU HR Service Center
    5700 Cass Ave., Suite 3638
    Detroit, MI 48202
    Aetna Medicare Advantage Plans 
    P .O . Box 14088 Lexington, KY 40512-4088

    Re-enrollment

    If you no longer have medical insurance coverage through Wayne State University and you are a retiree, you can re-enroll in any of the plans following normal enrollment rules above.

    Questions?

    If you have any questions please contact our office at 313-577-3000 or askhr@wayne.edu

  • Dental Insurance

    As a retiree you may elect to have dental insurance through the WSU retiree dental plan with Delta Dental. You may enroll at the time of retirement, when your COBRA continuation ends, during Open Enrollment or when you experience a change as outlined on pages 14-15 of the Retiree, Surviving Spouse and Long-Term Disability Recipient Benefits Handbook.

    Conditions of enrollment:  If you enroll in the WSU retiree Delta Dental plan, you will be billed for the monthly premium by the university's billing agent, Navia Benefit Solutions. Payments are due by the ï¬rst of the month for the given month's coverage. Payments not received within 45 days will result in cancellation of coverage. WSU retiree dental coverage MUST continue for a 12-month period based on your enrollment date. If your coverage is terminated for any reason during the 12-month period (due to non-payment or you cancel coverage), you may not re-enroll until the first Open Enrollment period following 12 months from your coverage end date. In order to re-enroll you must first remit all back premiums for the 12-month period in which you canceled previously. 

    Contact Phone Web
    Delta Dental 800-482-8915

    deltadentalmi.com
    Provider Locator

    Navia Benefit Solutions 877-920-9675 http://cobrapoint.benaissance.com/
  • Vision Insurance

    As a retiree you may elect to have vision insurance through the WSU retiree vision plan with EyeMed. You may enroll at the time of retirement, when your COBRA continuation ends, during Open Enrollment or when you experience a change as outlined on pages 14-15 of the Retiree, Surviving Spouse and Long-Term Disability Recipient Benefits Handbook.  

    Conditions of enrollment:  If you enroll in the WSU retiree EyeMed vision plan, you will be billed for the monthly premium by the university's billing agent, Navia Benefit Solutions. Payments are due by the ï¬rst of the month for the given month's coverage. Payments not received within 45 days will result in cancellation of coverage. WSU retiree vision coverage MUST continue for a 12-month period based on your enrollment date. If your coverage is terminated for any reason during the 12-month period (due to non-payment or you cancel coverage), you may not re-enroll until the first Open Enrollment period following 12 months from your coverage end date. In order to re-enroll you must first remit all back premiums for the 12-month period in which you canceled previously. 

    Contact Phone Web
    EyeMed 866-723-0514

    eyemed.com 
    Provider Locator ("Select" network)

    Navia Benefit Solutions 877-920-9675 http://cobrapoint.benaissance.com/
  • Life Insurance

    As a retiree, the university provides you with $2,500 in life insurance coverage (see Group Term Basic Life Insurance Certificate). While you are preparing for retirement, this may be a good time to review your life insurance beneficiary designations and update them if necessary.

    Conversion:

    In addition, you may convert a portion of your employee group life insurance to an individual direct-pay plan. Information about conversion is available here. If you have questions about the procedure or the rates, please call Sun Life Financial at 1-800-247-6875.

  • Voluntary Benefits

    Voluntary benefits can be continued during retirement. If you have Liberty Mutual home and/or automobile insurance or long-term care insurance with John Hancock or Trustmark, please contact the respective company prior to your retirement to change to home billing. Click here for more information on voluntary benefits. 

  • Vacation and Illness Bank Payoffs

    Employees in certain classifications are eligible for a payoff of their vacation bank and one-half of their accumulated illness bank (up to a maximum 225 hours' pay). Please refer to your labor contract or the Non-Represented Employee Manual for details. AAUP members, please refer to the AAUP CBA. The payoffs are included on your last check as an active employee. Please contact Payroll with any questions. 

  • Retiree OneCard, Parking, Email & Other Benefits
    Retiree Benefit Contact Information
    Retiree OneCard & free university parking (excluding structures 3 & 6) - apply after you have received your last employee paycheck OneCard/Parking Service Center
    Phone: 313-577-CARD
    Website: onecard.wayne.edu/contact
    Email: onecard@wayne.edu
    Continued e-mail access - this is automatically set up for retirees Computing & Information Technology
    Phone: 313-577-4357
    Website: tech.wayne.edu/about/contactus
    Discounted rate at Mort Harris Recreation and Fitness Center (RFC) & Matthaei Center

    Mort Harris Recreation and Fitness Center 
    Phone: 313-577-2348
    Website: rfc.wayne.edu/membership

    Senior citizen reduced tuition

    Student Service Center
    Phone: 313-577-2100
    Website: wayne.edu/registrar/tuition
    Email: studentservice@wayne.edu

    Library access Retiree borrowing privileges
    Show Your OneCard & Save discounts Website: onecard.wayne.edu/show-your-onecard
    Society of Active Retirees: founded by WSU’s own Sharon O’Brien, past Assistant Dean

    www.soarexplore.com/

  • Retirement Savings Plan Investments

    For information regarding the various options available to you through TIAA and/or Fidelity Investments, please contact the companies directly:

    Investment Carrier Contact Information

    TIAA

    Telephone: 1-800-842-2252

    To schedule 1-on-1 Counseling:
    Make an Appointment
    1-800-732-8353

    Fidelity Investments

    Telephone: 1-800-343-0860

    To schedule 1-on-1 Counseling: 
    Make an Appointment
    1-800-642-7131

    For information regarding Social Security Retirement benefits, you may drop by your local Social Security Administration office, call their toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213, or visit their Web site at www.ssa.gov.

Consultations or assistance may be requested by making an appointment here.