The above statement means that your age plus your years of service must total at least 75. Service must be full-time and continuous.

The minimum age for retirement is 55. Employees retiring between the ages of 55 and 62 must have at least 15 years of service and must meet the Rule of 75. For example, if you retire at age 55 you must have at least 20 years of service to meet the Rule of 75. Employees retiring at age 62 or older must have at least 10 years of service and must meet the Rule of 75. For example, if you retire at age 62 you must have at least 13 years of service to meet the Rule of 75.

Note that if you meet the age and service minimums (age 55 and 15 years of service, or age 62 and 10 years of service) by December 31, 2008, you can retire later than that date and not be required to meet the Rule of 75. You will then be eligible for retiree benefits when you actually retire/terminate from Penn.

The Rule of 75 applies to all retiree benefits, including tuition, life insurance and dental plans.

You may not enroll in Penn's prescription plan if you elect Medicare Part D. If you're enrolled in Medicare Part D and you elect Penn's prescription plan, your Penn prescription plan will be canceled.

Regulations issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) state that you cannot enroll in a Medicare-Advantage plan if you elect Medicare Part D. If you’re enrolled in Medicare Part D and you elect either the Keystone/AmeriHealth 65 HMO Plan or the Aetna Golden Choice Plan (PPO), CMS will cancel your medical coverage retroactive to the date you became enrolled in both plans.

You are not required to enroll in the Medicare program under these circumstances. However, you may elect Medicare Part A at no cost to you. You may do so by contacting Social Security 90 days prior to your 65^th birthday. You should also state at that time that you are not applying for Medicare Part B benefits because you're already covered by Penn's plan. (Part B has a premium and is mandatory when you actually retire.)

No. It's your responsibility to contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) about starting your benefits. You should contact SSA 90 days before you retire. (See question 10 for contact information. You should also contact the Benefits Office in the Division of Human Resources to advise them of your actual retirement date and coordinate your enrollment under the Medicare program.

When you're ready to retire, you must make an appointment with Social Security 90 days before your retirement date. You will then receive two forms:

1. Application for Enrollment in Medicare (you should complete this form) and
2. Request for Employment Information Form (you should send this form to the Benefits Office in the Division of Human Resources for completion).

The completion and submission of these forms to Social Security will protect you against any penalty and validate your retirement date.

Yes, your spouse/same-sex domestic partner may continue under your health plan while you are working.

No. As long as your spouse/same-sex domestic partner is enrolled under your active plan, he/she may continue to receive coverage under that plan.

Because of the specialized nature of these benefits, we suggest that you contact the Long-Term Disability (LTD) Administrator in the Benefits Office of the Division of Human Resources at (215) 898-1326.

For more information about the University's plans, see the Retiree Health Plan Summary Plan Description [pdf] or contact Retiree Assist (Penn's Call Center for retiree health benefits) at 1-866-789-7366. More information about your Social Security retirement benefits or Medicare can be found on www.socialsecurity.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213. You may also visit a Social Security office located near your residence. The two offices closest to the University are located at 3901 Market Street, 2^nd floor and at 1234 Market Street, Suite 2000, 20^th floor.