Later in Career Support

We’re here for you as you approach retirement.

Health Icon

PLANNING FOR YOUR NEXT CHAPTER

Nestlé supports employees at every stage of life, including those later in their careers. We offer resources to help with evolving needs — like preparing for retirement, understanding Medicare, navigating COBRA, maintaining HSA eligibility and managing life transitions or workplace changes. Our goal is to provide clear guidance, practical tools and meaningful benefits so employees feel informed and supported as they plan their next steps.

SMART TIPS

Here are some helpful tips to help you navigate the stage in your life and your career.

  • Check out your personalized Total Rewards summary to review the ways Nestlé values you and your contributions.
  • Review medical benefit options if you plan to retire before age 65.
    • NesCARE Pre-65 Retiree Medical Plan
    • COBRA
    • Individual plan in the marketplace through Via Benefits
    • Your spouse’s/domestic partner’s employer’s medical plan
  • Review medical benefit options if you plan to retire after age 65.
    • Medicare
    • Individual plan in the marketplace through Via Benefits
  • Review your financial health.
    • Nestlé provides you with access to financial guidance to help you set yourself up for a secure future and retire with confidence. You can meet with a financial expert at Empower to discuss your 401(k) and/or with a Financial Finesse financial coach to prepare for retirement.
    • Determine your eligibility for Social Security benefits and estimated payment, your ideal retirement age and more by visiting the Social Security Administration’s Benefit Calculators website.
    • Check out the resources available from Financial Finesse, such as coaching, webcasts, resources and more.
  • Take care of your health.
    • Nestlé offers a wide array of programs to maximize your physical health, now and into the future.
    • We provide personalized mental wellbeing programs to support you along your mental health journey.
    • Use the Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) to explore new hobbies and maintain your social health.
    • Our thoughtful benefits help you manage the different stages (perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause) and their direct links to other aspects of your physical and emotional health.
  • Plan for the unexpected with MetLife Legal Plans and income protection.
    • Estate planning, eldercare issues, will planning and more
    • Protecting your income if you experience injury or death is important to help you and your family cover expenses. Nestlé offers a variety of programs to protect you from the unexpected, such as basic life insurance, Short- and Long-Term Disability, and more.
Media Icon

SUPPORT FOR EMPTY NESTERS

Get support as you adjust to life after the kids leave home.

learn more

THINGS TO KNOW

Here are some key things to know when you are actively working, turn 65 and become eligible for Medicare.

  • The Nestlé medical plans are considered “creditable coverage” for Medicare part D purposes.
  • You cannot enroll in Medicare and contribute to a Health Savings Account (HSA) or receive the Nestlé contribution.
    • If your spouse is enrolled in Medicare, it does not impact your HSA contribution. Your spouse can continue to use funds contributed to the HSA.
  • If you are retiring, you should enroll in Medicare prior to retirement (when possible) or as soon as you know you will be losing coverage. The Nestlé plans are secondary to Medicare under COBRA if you enroll and are Medicare eligible prior to your COBRA eligibility and will assume you have Medicare coverage.
    • Your and your spouse’s (age 65+) coverage will go to the end of the month when you terminate or retire to allow for Medicare enrollment if you are not currently enrolled.
  • Medicare eligibility/entitlement will terminate your COBRA coverage if you become entitled while on COBRA.
Media Icon

EXPLORE MEDICARE.GOV

Find Medicare facts, costs, forms and more resources — all in one convenient location.

explore now

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

While you are still working, for Medicare-eligible spouses (age 65+), the Nestlé coverage is still primary, and you may still choose to cover them. The rule changes with COBRA (if you leave or retire), for example, in which case they need to be on Medicare.

Coverage will end the end of the month they turn age 26.

You do not need to pay the Alternative Coverage Fee (ACF) for Medicare because that is not other employer coverage. It only applies if they are offered coverage from their own employer.

If a qualified beneficiary becomes entitled to Medicare after enrolling in COBRA, COBRA coverage may terminate automatically according to plan rules.

No, not unless you are first eligible at that time or if your COBRA coverage ceases during Medicare’s annual enrollment period. To enroll in Medicare, you must either: (1) experience a special enrollment event (e.g., you are first becoming eligible due to turning 65 or becoming disabled, or you terminate employment, which provided other health coverage), or 2) enroll during the annual enrollment period, between January 1 and March 31.

The end of COBRA coverage does not qualify as a special enrollment event for Medicare. Therefore, you will not be able to enroll in Medicare when COBRA coverage ends unless you are first eligible for Medicare at that time (e.g., you are turning 65). Otherwise, you will have to wait for the Medicare annual enrollment period, between January 1 and March 31. This delay could also trigger higher Medicare premiums due to late enrollment.

No. Enrollment in COBRA does not protect you from Medicare premium penalties for late enrollment. If you are in your initial enrollment period (IEP) when your employment ends, you must enroll in Medicare before the end of your IEP.

If your IEP ends before you leave employment, and you have not enrolled in Medicare, you have eight months to enroll in Medicare to avoid late enrollment penalties for Medicare Part B (generally, late penalties do not apply to Part A). If you do not enroll in Medicare Part B within either eight months from when your employment ends, you will have to pay higher Medicare Part B premiums when you do enroll. These higher premiums will apply for the entire time you are enrolled in Medicare Part B.

If you are enrolled in Medicare because of age or disability, Medicare will pay first (be the “primary payer”). As soon as you become eligible for Medicare, the Nestlé COBRA coverage will assume that you are covered by both Parts A and B. This means if you do not enroll for Medicare Parts A and B when eligible, you must pay the amounts which would have been paid by Medicare had you enrolled. If you see a provider that does not accept Medicare, you may have to pay all of the costs out of pocket.

When Medicare is the “primary payer,” this means that if Medicare can pay a benefit, Medicare will pay first and COBRA will pay second. If Medicare does not pay any portion of the cost of a benefit, then usually no benefit is available under COBRA. Generally, you will not receive a higher benefit if you have both Medicare and COBRA because the plans coordinate their benefits.

SECURE YOUR FUTURE

Nestlé offers financial benefits and resources to guide you to the best choices for you and your family, setting you up for a bright future.

Learn more

REACH YOUR HEALTH GOALS

We prioritize your physical wellbeing so you can get — and stay — healthy, no matter what life stage you’re in.

Learn more

EXPLORE NEW INTERESTS

The Lifestyle Spending Account supports your emotional, physical, financial and social wellbeing with up to $500 to use every year.

Learn more

FEEL SUPPORTED

Get the support you need with confidential therapy, medication management, work-life services and more.

Learn more

CONTACT US

Nestlé Benefits Service Center

1-877-637-2255, select Option #2 when prompted
nestle.ehr.com
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.