Retiree Benefits

The George Washington University Health and Welfare Benefit Plan for Retired Employees (PDF) provides health and welfare benefits to eligible retirees and their dependents.

GW Retirees retain access to many benefits available to active employees of the university. The Retirement Planning Guide (PDF) provides information regarding what happens to your employee benefits on retirement and which benefits you can continue.

Retiree Medical & Prescription

If you are enrolled in a GW Medical plan on your retirement date, you will be given the option to continue medical benefits for yourself and your covered dependents.

• Retirees or dependents who are under the age of 65 will be offered coverage under the GW Retiree Health Savings Plan (HSP)
• Retirees or dependents who are age 65 or older will be offered services and benefits through Via Benefits, a Medicare Exchange company

See the Retiree Medical Benefits page for more information.

Retiree Dental & Vision

If you have Dental or Vision coverage on your retirement date you will have the option to continue your coverage, or you can newly elect coverage during Open Enrollment.

Dental Benefits

GW Retirees remain eligible for three Dental plan options with Aetna. 

The Low PPO and High PPO provide flexibility to see whichver dental provider you wish, althgough you generally pay less when you use an Aetna dental provider. Also available is the DMO plan which provides coverage for in-network services only, but generally also provides greater coverage than the PPO options.

Visit the Dental Benefits page for more information about the Aetna dental plans.

Vision Benefits

GW Retirees remain eligible for two Vision plan options through UnitedHealthcare (UHC).

The vision plans offer you the flexibility to see any provider you choose; however, you generally pay less when you use a UHC Vision provider. In-network, covered-in-full benefits (after applicable copay) include a comprehensive exam, eye glasses with standard single vision, lined bifocal or lined trifocal lenses, standard scratch-resistant coating and the frame, or contact lenses in lieu of eye glasses.

Visit the Vision Benefits page for more information about the Basic and Enhanced vision plans.

Retiree Life Insurance

GW Retirees remain eligible for Basic Life Insurance, paid for by GW. On your retirement, the benefit amount will reduce to 80% of the amount in effect prior to retirement, and will continue to reduce annually until it reduces to $2,500.

Imputed Income

The cost of coverage in excess of $50,000 is considered as imputed income and taxable to the retiree. For any year during which you have coverage in excess of $50,000, GW will mail you a special W-2 for purposes of reporting this taxable benefit. You may choose to cap your coverage at $50,000 if you wish.

Estate Planning and Support Resources

Included with GW's group life insurance coverage, the LifeKeys® program provides access to a wide array of services including estate planning, identity theft resources and beneficiary support.  

Visit the Life Insurance Benefits page for more information regarding the LifeKeys® program and the Basic Life Insurance Certificate Booklet.

Additional Resources

• Life Insurance Beneficiary Designation

Retiree Tuition Benefits

As a GW Retiree you remain eligibile for Tuition Remission benefits.

In addition, Retirees with 10 or more years of eligible service at GW also remain eligible to apply for Tuition Remission or Tuition Exchange benefits for their spouse/domestic partner and dependent children.

See the Tuition Benefits page for further information.

Retiree Discount Programs

Group Home and Auto Discount

GW is pleased to offer Group Home and Auto discounts, through Liberty Mutual. GW Retirees  receive preferred pricing on home and auto insurance packages, including discounts of up to 10 percent on auto and 5 percent on home, renters and condo insurance. For details, call (800) 298-8947 or visit Liberty Mutual (mention Client ID# 135234).

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Pet Insurance Discount

GW Retirees enjoy a group discount on pet insurance through Nationwide Insurance.  The plan offers best-in-show coverage for vet bills, with 90 percent reimbursement for accidents, illnesses and more.

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ID Theft Protection Discount

GW Retirees also enjoy a group discount on identity theft protection from Allstate. Get alerts on your credit, accounts opened, and financial transactions. Visit myaip.com/gw for a quote.

How Do I Enroll in Retiree Benefits?

If you are eligible to continue GW group medical, dental or vision benefits, you will receive a notice from bswift, the university's retiree billing administrator, following your retirement with information about the benefits you may continue and how to make premium payments. To continue coverage under retiree health benefits, simply return the first month's premium payment to bswift by the due date in the notice. Coverage will be effective 1st of the month following your retirement date. 

For retirees or dependents who are age 65 or older eligible for Medicare supplemental plans and reimbursement benefits through Via Benefits, you should contact the Social Security Administration before your retirement in order to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B, and then contact Via Benefits to enroll in supplemental coverage. Coverage will be effective 1st of the month following retirement, or first of the month following completion of your Medicare plan enrollment (whichever is later).

Benefits Premiums and Open Enrollment

If you continue coverage as a GW Retiree under a GW group medical, dental or vision benefit, bswift will bill you monthly for premiums owed. Benefits rates may change periodically.  GW Retirees who are enrolled in GW group benefits will receive information during Open Enrollment each year when you can review your coverage, confirm any updated premiums costs for the new year, and change plans for the following year. Open Enrollment occurs each fall  (usually in October) with an effective date of January 1 for any changes.  No action is normally needed if you wish to continue  your current coverage.

GW Retirees who are not enrolled in any benefits at bswift who wish to newly enroll in GW group dental or vision plans can contact GW Benefits during the university's Open Enrollment period, or after a qualifying life event, to request enrollment forms.

• 2024 Retiree medical, dental and vision premiums

Note: Retirees who are enrolled in Medicare plans through the Via Benefits Medicare Exchange will be billed directly by their Medicare plan provider for owed premiums. Open Enrollment for Medicare plans occurs October 15 - December 7 each year. Via Benefits will provide GW Retirees who are enrolled in plans through Via Benefits with information about Medicare open enrollment.