Thread regarding Verizon Communications Inc. layoffs

Retirement plan costs about 3500 for 2 people. Where as COBRA till next July they offered me for approx 1100 per month. I guess this is much cheaper than any other plans that are available on market place. Not sure, some ppl are quoted 2k+ and i got 1100, there is no email from Benefits cOnection to confirm the payment. THis su-ks. I asked them to send me a confirmation, they said on 1st Sep, login to your portal and you'll see the amount on the dashboard. What a d-mb response from the agent.. :-(

VZ’s medical insurance/COBRA is insanely expensive, almost unethical to make it an option. I was quoted it’d cost my wife and I $42k per year/$3,500 per month. I can get the same coverage from the same medical company for a fraction of the cost.

I talked to VZW Benefits. To continue Cobra is a little over $2k (me+1). Retiree coverage was double that cost. I've spoke with an insurance broker that said I wouldn't be able to get near the same insurance thru marketplace for $2k. I'm still looking around, but as of now I'm keeping Cobra til next June and then will have to figure out something til I'm Medicare eligible. Thanks Dan.

@b2 Edit here: This IS the retiree plan I am talking about. I did not extend COBRA just for the reason of not losing access to the retiree plan.

The original post was a bit confusing as everyone can opt into COBRA for up to a total of 18 months post employment. The retiree plan is separate from COBRA, so it's not really "retiree COBRA". As far as cost comparison, I'd bet that COBRA may even be cheaper than the retiree plans, but can't say for sure since I never bought it. The retiree plans are expensive. Go to the ACA.

@ag

This is 100% correct and important. If you go COBRA, you can never opt into the retiree plan at a later time.

I skipped COBRA and went straight to blue cross/blue shield. Im on a silver plan and paying $800. I have to keep my income below $85K otherwise cost jumps to $2200. Bronze plans are even cheaper.

Going this way allows me to opt back into the retiree plan if we ever have major health concerns.

It's expensive. However, if you were enrolled in the EPN it IS a Cadillac plan so it's worth the $ if you actually use your health insurance. My spouse had cancer with twice yearly CT scans and many follow ups and medications so I purchased it for us for one year until we hit medicare age. It was roughly 2300/month (in 2025) and that was WITH a 50% subsidy. I can't speak to any of the plans other than the EPN which had a low deductible. However, it's a grandfathered plan, so unless you were already on it you can't get it anymore.

Honestly, if you are in good health, you are better off looking at the ACA plans.

In typical Verizon fashion you can stay on the Severance Cobra plan until 2027 and pay a monthly fee but will forfeit your rights to ever go back on the retirement plans if need be. They try to get you either way , oh and if you are trying to use the 25% off discount for the phone after our 50% discount ends good luck with that also, got to TMO.

Retiree Cobra is too EXPENSIVE

You will want to find alternate coverage. When I left, all options through VZ were ridiculously overpriced

Nope. It is a scam. Obamacare till Medicare. Keep your money, you will need it.

Are you healthy friend?