Tricia Neuman Coverage Quotations

Retirees who cancel their employer coverage and take the new federal benefit may not be able to go back if they later realize they've made a mistake.

The benefit may not be as generous as some would want. But what's most important is having insurance coverage that will help you pay for medicine if you become ill and run up huge drug bills.

It seems virtually all the 21 million have drug coverage now. It's unclear if the enrollment number represents a major improvement in coverage.

Those that have retiree health benefits have good reason to stay on top of this issue. Even if an employer decided to keep coverage for 2006, it's likely they will revisit these decisions in 2007 and beyond.

They have not yet reached their coverage goal, but they are clearly moving closer.