Key steps to prepare for retirement
As you approach retirement, we’re here to help you transition smoothly. Explore the essential resources and options available, ensuring your financial and health care needs are met as you begin this new chapter. Use our Separation Checklist to guide you through the steps to retire smoothly and confidently.
Have a conversation with your manager to provide your resignation notice in advance. This helps ensure a smooth transition as you prepare to leave your role.
- Review your retirement plans in Empower and explore distribution options.
- Visit the Empower website for more details on managing your retirement savings.
- Connect with our retirement counselor for personalized advice on planning your next steps. You can email her at tiffany.sturm@empower.com or schedule an appointment.
- Review your Social Security benefits on the Social Security Administration website.
- Understand your Medicare considerations and how to navigate your health care coverage after retirement.
- Review your current medical plan, which will cease upon retirement, and explore COBRA options for continued coverage.
- Manage your HSA or FSA balances and ensure you’re maximizing these accounts before retirement.
- Explore options to convert or port your life, long-term disability, accident, critical illness and hospital insurance.
- Consider continuation of your MetLife Legal Plan coverage for legal support beyond retirement.
Navigate Medicare with SmartConnect
Nebraska Medicine offers a free service to help you and your family members navigate Medicare with confidence. Whether you’re continuing to work or preparing for retirement, SmartConnect offers personalized support, plan comparisons and enrollment guidance.
SmartConnect is available to anyone who is eligible for Medicare--including colleagues, retirees, spouses, children, parents and even neighbors. In addition to helping you navigate the Medicare Program, SmartConnect offers information and guidance on plans that supplement Medicare Part A and Part B.
- Personalized guidance: Understanding your health care needs to help you make informed decisions.
- Expert plan comparisons: Unbiased insights from national insurance carriers.
- Simplified enrollment process: Licensed insurance agents assisting when you're ready.
- Ongoing support: Help with questions, policy reviews and coordination with insurance providers.
- Cost and coverage evaluation: In some cases, Medicare supplement plans may cost less than employer-provided insurance.
- Flexible options: Whether you’re working, planning to retire or helping a parent or a friend who is eligible for Medicare, SmartConnect ensures your choices fit your situation.
- No obligation assistance: A completely free service with no pressure to enroll in supplemental Medicare coverage.
Visit the SmartConnect website or call 888.531.1869 (TTY:711) to speak with a licensed insurance agent. Agents are available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST.
Other benefits that may help you
Accident insurance
Get financial support for out-of-pocket expenses resulting from injuries or accidents through Reliance Standard.
Critical illness insurance
Supplement your medical coverage and ease the financial impact of serious health conditions with critical illness insurance through Reliance Standard.
Hospital indemnity insurance
Get coverage for hospital expenses with Reliance Standard’s indemnity insurance, providing lump-sum benefits for any out-of-pocket costs.
Legal plans
Access MetLife’s legal services for estate planning, civil suits and more, with phone or in-person consultations options.