Retiree Resources

Below is information and links that may be helpful to current and soon-to-be retirees. 

To qualify as a Retiree from The College of Wooster, and to qualify to receive retiree benefits and/or privileges, the retiree must have worked for The College for a minimum of 10 consecutive years and be at age 60 or over at their date of retirement.

If you have any questions about retiree benefits, please feel free to contact the Office of Human Resources at 330-263-2526.

Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment for 2025 for pre-65 retirees who were hired at The College of Wooster before March 1, 1994 and benefits eligible will received Open Enrollment information. Open Enrollment will run November 1st through 15th, 2024 for effective date January 1, 2025.

The Annual Benefits Fair will be held in the Scot Center Governance Room October 29, 2024 from 9am to 3pm. Anthem and Benistar will both be at the Benefits Fair. Benistar will be presenting in Lowry in The Alley. The Benistar Post-65 Retiree Plan presentation will be at 1pm October 29. Active Employees and Pre-65 Retirees who want to learn about the Anthem plan updates will have a virtual presentation October 24th at 11am. A link for the virtual presentation will be forthcoming.

Health Plan

Staff members hired on or after March 1, 1994, are not eligible for a continuation of health coverage.  Health coverage may only be continued if the employee’s date of hire was before March 1, 1994, and the employee is age 60 or older, and has been employed for at least 10 years.

Retirees who are eligible for continuation of healthcare coverage and are over age 60, but under age 65, and not eligible for Medicare, may continue the plan in which they were enrolled as an active employee.  Eligible retirees age 65 and over may enroll in the College’s Medicare carve-out plan through Benistar and the College will pay 44% of the premium per month.  A retiree may carry his/her spouse on the same plan (determined by age and Medicare eligibility) with the retiree paying 100% of the spouse’s premium.  The spouse may continue the same plan if the retired staff member dies first.

Retiree Dental & Vision Coverage

If enrolled as an active employee, coverage ceases on the last day of the month in which the retirement occurs. 

Eligible Retirees and spouses enrolled in the Benistar post-65 retiree health plan are eligible for credits for dental and vision expenses.

Dental: Eligible retirees and spouses are eligible for reimbursement up to $100 for one annual routine dental exam and/or cleaning.

Vision: Eligible retirees and spouses are eligible for reimbursement up to 100% reimbursement after a $20 copay for one annual routine eye exam.

Please submit dental or vision receipts by April 1st to receive your Wellness Credits on your June Benistar bill.  Or, by October 17th to receive credit on your December Benistar bill. Although receipts can be submitted for June or December credit, they can only be applied once per calendar year.

Anthem Plan Documents – Pre-65 Retirees 2025

– Anthem PPO Plan
– Anthem PPO Plan Benefits Book
– Anthem HDHP Plan
– Anthem HDHP Plans Benefits Book

Benistar Plan Documents – Post-65 Retirees 2025 TBD

– Benistar Plan
– ExpressScripts Plan
– 2025 Presentation

2025 rates for retirees, are as follows:

  • Benistar Retiree 65 and over – $309.47 per month
  • Benistar Retiree Spouse 65 and over – $552.63 per month
  • Anthem Retiree Under 65 – $588.44 per month
  • Anthem Retiree Spouse Under 65 – $723.12 per month

Retirees should contact the Benefits Office at least 30 days before retiring if continuing enrollment in the health benefit.  Otherwise, the health benefit will cease on the date of retirement. If enrollment in the Health Plan is declined at the time of retirement, a retiree will not be eligible to enroll at a later date.|

*The College bills pre-65 retirees on a monthly basis for their share of the health insurance premium.  Payments of these bills should be made at the Business Office, with checks made payable to The College of Wooster.  Monthly withdraws from the retirees’ bank account may also be set up through the Business Office. Post-65 retirees are billed directly by Benistar.

Lincoln Life Insurance

Retirees eligible for life insurance during employment will continue to receive a life insurance benefit provided the employee retires no earlier than 60 years of age and has been employed for at least 10 years.  The amount of life insurance will be 25% of the amount in force as an active employee but will not exceed $10,000.  The College assumes the full cost of the coverage.  A conversion option for the amount that has been reduced is available through the insurance company.  Retirees interested in converting the amount that has been reduced to an individual life insurance policy should contact the Benefits Office. 

Please make sure your beneficiaries are updated:  Beneficiary Form

Other Lincoln Services

Retiree Access and Privileges

Scot Center

Retirees of The College of Wooster have access to the Scot Center.

Retiree IDs

Retirees are eligible to receive a Retiree-labeled Wooster ID through Campus Access, in order to get Scot Center Access, and discounts/free entries to various College of Wooster events. If you need a retiree ID, please contact the Human Resources department to receive an application: humanresources@wooster.edu.

Medicare Resources:

Below are some Medicare information resources provided by our vendors. These are no-cost, no obligation services which are meant to be informational and educational.

Helpful Information:

Comparison Tools: