RETIREES
LLNS provides a range of benefits and resources for eligible retired employees and their survivors, including:
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Legal Insurance
You can find details, premiums and contact information for all of your retiree benefits here.
2026 Open Enrollment
The Open Enrollment period for retiree benefits happens each fall. If eligible, you will receive information. You should review your benefits and make changes if you choose to. If you do not want to make any changes to your current medical, dental, vision or legal plan elections, no action is needed. If you have been notified that your current plan will be terminating, you must contact Via Benefits to select a new plan.
Qualifying Life Events
You can make changes to your retiree benefits outside of Open Enrollment if you experience certain life events, including a change in marital status, number of dependents, employment status and some others. Review the Retiree Summary Plan Description for more details.
Note: If you do not make changes within 31 days of the qualifying life event, you will not be able to add a dependent or make any other changes until the next Open Enrollment period, with benefit coverage effective the following January.
Contact Empyrean at 844-750-5567 or Via Benefits at 866-682-4841 to make changes.
RETIREE CONSIDERATIONS
Benefits in Retirement
LLNS offers different retiree medical plan options depending on whether or not you’re eligible for Medicare. Review the Retiree OE Guide to learn more.
Paying your Premiums
You can authorize Empyrean to deduct your premium due each month from your personal bank account. Direct debit is easy to set up and secure. If you are interested in setting up direct debit, you can enroll online at www.llnsretireebenefits.com. Or you can call Empyrean at 844-750-5567 and select option 1 to request an ACH Form. Deductions are made approximately the fifth business day of the month.
Will I automatically be enrolled in Medicare at 65?
You should enroll in Part A and Part B as soon as you become eligible and start considering the additional options we've covered. We recommend you contact Social Security to enroll in Part A and Part B and determine how you'll pay for it (usually the premiums are deducted from your retirement benefits, although direct bill is another option). If you already receive Social Security retirement benefits, you’re automatically enrolled in Part A and Part B when you turn 65.
How much does Medicare cost?
Medicare Part A and Part B have monthly premiums, deductibles and coinsurance. Most people don't pay the Part A premium, thanks to the Medicare taxes they paid while working. Everyone pays the Part B premium. This amount changes yearly and varies based on income. If you enroll late in Part B, you could have a penalty fee added. Plus, there is no limit on what you pay out of pocket with Original Medicare.
Medicare.gov has more details on costs.
What is the Medicare Low Income Subsidy?
The Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy (also known as “LIS” or “Extra Help”) is a program that helps people with Medicare pay for prescription drugs and lowers the cost of prescription drug coverage. To understand whether you might be eligible for Extra Help, review the criteria at medicare.gov.
I have more questions about Medicare—who should I ask?
Visit the Medicare website at www.medicare.gov for any additional questions. You can also visit Fidelity’s Medicare Learning Center to get an understanding of what Medicare is and how it works!
I have a new address. Who should I contact?
Be sure to contact Empyrean at 844-750-5567 to update your address so we can reach you with important benefit information.
Additional Resources
Managing Your Cash Flow in Retirement
Learn smart ways to help make managing your finances easier with less work.
Social Security tips for working retirees
If you’re working in retirement, know the impact.
Down markets and retirees
When living on savings, you need a strategy to deal with down markets.
Making sense of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)
Answers to common questions about RMDs.