Your retired and living on a pension, Medicare vs. pension

[Fieldmouse]

So this has come up via several folks on the board who claim to be covered by their employer's pension system when it comes to healthcare. That raised a big question in my mind because I didn't know who pays. Well according to the government, Medicare pays first, not your pension plan. Tell me if I'm wrong but it looks like pensions are only stop gap insurance.

http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/02179.pdf

[The Rev]

I’m certainly thinking of retiring in about three years and I haven’t been with this company long enough to receive a pension; but I was a General Contractor for 15 years I’ve made enough money to make some wise investments so I can retired without depending on the government; like everyone should. I do have lifetime medical benefits from the V.A. but I’d rather play golf with Obama than to go to the VA… BTW, I’d spank Obama I know what his handicap is..

[Venator2]

Company pays the premiums as any individual would. and most of my drugs. Medicare will step in I guess to pick part of tab if I were hospitalized, I understand it my provider pays bill and Gov reimburses what ever the Gov allows. I do know with rising price of health care up front costs if hospitalized.,Specialist costs and all kinds of add ons are paid by myself.some extra costs are paid by insurance. I have never used VA although I had my picture taken and registered in case I lost all. I never had any service related problems and always felt they owed me nothing. I have a buddy took 3 hits and is a wheelchair. that is a different deal. he is deserving. I have another friend who gets all kinds of shxxx and deserves nothing as far as i am concerned. I don't know if what I have written is absolute truth but it is way I see it. I have a annuity also if my wife goes first, I certainly hope not I will give all funds to kids and live off annuity.
Not much but enough.