If you plan to retire before age 65, it's important to explore your health care options. Some employers provide health care benefits to those who retire early, making finding health insurance more affordable. If you're looking to retire early, here's a list of occupations to consider.
3 jobs where you can get health insurance after retirement
Government positions
As a federal employee, you have the opportunity to receive health care coverage under the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) program if the following conditions are met:
You are eligible for an immediate annuity payment under the retirement system applicable to federal civilian employees.
You have been continuously enrolled (or enrolled as a family member) in any FEHB plan(s) for the 5 years preceding the annuity commencement date, or for the entire period of service from the first opportunity to enroll (if less than 5 years).
An immediate annuity means that your regular payments will begin within 30 days of retirement. Even if you defer your annuity after you leave employment, the annuity you receive under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) Minimum Retirement Age (MRA)+10 rule is still considered immediate.
The word "service" means the time you spent in a job where you could sign up for benefits and the government helped pay the costs. You do not have to be on the same health plan all that time. The time you had non-FEHB plans does not count toward the five-year or first opportunity rule, unless you were covered under TRICARE - it counts if you are still in a FEHB plan when you retire.
You can enroll in FEHB within 60 days after you first become eligible for the program and the government will help you pay for it.
Work in education
Education employees, such as those at the University, have the opportunity to receive health insurance benefits upon retirement. For example, the University of Michigan offers retirees health insurance based on the average cost of the two most affordable enrollment-based plans. Your retirement date and age determine your maximum contribution, while your choice of health plan, Medicare status, and level of coverage affect the amount you pay.
If you are an employee of Johns Hopkins University, the University provides medical and dental coverage for eligible retirees and their dependents and matches it with benefits received by active employees. The subsidy provided by JHU is based on your age and years of service.