Retirement Information

Annual Open Enrollment for retiree health and dental insurance will run from April 1, 2026 - May 1, 2026. 


This is your opportunity to enroll in or make changes to your health and dental insurance for the upcoming plan year beginning July 1, 2026. If you miss the May 1, 2026 deadline, you will have to wait until next open enrollment to change your benefits, unless you have a qualifying event. To ensure time for processing, please submit your forms/requests by April 27, 2026.

Benefits Guide and Rates for FY27:

Benefit Guide and Rates for FY26:

The Town offers health and dental insurance to retirees through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC).  Please review Retirement and GIC Benefits and the information below for more details.

Want to enroll in or change your health insurance? Enrollments and changes can be made using the MyGIC Link Member Benefits Portal. Watch this video to learn more. If you have any issues with the portal, please contact the Human Resources Department.

Please note that if you are enrolling dependents, marriage and/or birth certificates must be provided.  More details on required documentation for GIC coverage are available here.

No health insurance changes this year?  You don't need to do anything. 

Dental Insurance Information
Retirees may enroll in the GIC's Retiree Dental plan through Altus Dental. The reimbursement benefit is $1,500 per year. Please see the plan handbook for details.

Want to enroll in dental insurance? Complete this enrollment form and return to the HR Office by 4/27/2026.

Medicare Part B Reimbursement
Retirees enrolled in a Medicare supplement plan with the Town are eligible to be reimbursed for up to 50% of the lowest premium amount for Medicare Part B (medical insurance) coverage. Proper documentation must be submitted by June 30th each year.  The preferred documentation is the 1099-SSA form, or copies of monthly or quarterly Medicare premium bills (preferably for the full year), along with some form of receipt/proof of payment).  Retirees will be also required to complete a W-9 form. 

Documentation and questions regarding Medicare reimbursements should be directed to the Finance Department, located at 10 Mudge Way.  Call 781-275-2218 or send an email.

Health Plan Provider Links


Before choosing a plan, use the following links to determine if your health care providers are in network. 

Health Plan Documents 


Medicare-Eligible Plans

If you are under 65 or not Medicare-eligible, please refer to the plan information for active employees (health and dental insurance only).

Prescription Drug Program Information (for all GIC Medicare-Eligible Plans)

Are you 65 or older (or turning 65)?

The health plans you can enroll in after age 65 depend on whether you're eligible for Medicare.  If you or your spouse are turning 65, follow these steps:

1. Prepare: Watch these quick videos to learn about the Parts of Medicare and the GIC Medicare supplement plan enrollment process.  You may also want to read this article on how Medicare works with other insurances.

2. Determine Eligibility: About 3 months before you turn 65, Check your eligibility for Medicare (Parts A and B).  If you're eligible, apply for Parts A and B (you will not need Part D if you enroll in a GIC Medicare supplement plan). Review this checklist before starting your application.  If you aren't eligible, you can enroll/remain in the same health plans available to active employees.

3. Enroll: If you are Medicare-eligible, respond to the letter you should have received from the GIC or contact the Town HR office to enroll in a Medicare supplement plan (scroll to the bottom of the page for plan information).

For questions about Medicare, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or take advantage of the SHINE Program, a service that provides free Medicare counseling.  Call the COA to schedule an appointment with a SHINE counselor: 781-275-6825.  For questions about retiree health and dental insurance, contact the Town HR office.

Resources & Contacts


Town of Bedford 

Human Resources 
For general questions/assistance re: retirement & insurance 
Phone: 781-687-6181

Finance Department
For Medicare Part B Reimbursements
Phone: 781-275-2218

Council on Aging
For free Medicare counseling through the SHINE Program. Call to schedule an appointment. 
Phone: 781-275-6825

Middlesex County Retirement System
25 Linnell Circle
Billerica, MA 01821
Website: https://middlesexretirement.org/
Phone: 978-439-3000

Mass Teacher’s Retirement System
500 Rutherford Avenue, Suite 210 
Charlestown, MA 02129 
Website: https://mtrs.state.ma.us/
Phone: 617-679-6877

Social Security Administration
Website: https://www.ssa.gov/
Phone: 617-591-8031

Empower SMART Plan - 457 Deferred Comp. Plan
Tyler Fouhey
Phone: 617-535-8960
Tyler.Fouhey@empower.com 

Mission Square (formerly ICMA-RC) - 457 Deferred Comp. Plan
Michael Savage
Phone: 202-759-7148
MSavage@icmarc.org

General Retirement and Pension Information

Are you considering retirement? Congratulations!  Start by reviewing the information in the Town of Bedford Retirement Brochure.  If you haven't already, review the PERAC retirement guide applicable to your date of hire/membership (links below) and contact Middlesex Retirement (or MTRS if you are an educator).

PERAC Retirement Guides 
Public Employee Retirement Guide - Membership prior to 4/2/12
Public Employee Retirement Guide - Membership on/after 4/2/12

Social Security and Your Pension
NEW: Social Security Fairness Act Update
Information on the Windfall Elimination Provision
Information on the Government Pension Offset