Thread regarding Anthem Inc. layoffs

Sorry to hear. I was RIF'd in the Feb 21 run, during the let's get the straight white males who are over 50 out of the company.

There is life beyond Anthem.

Thanks for the update. Wow 21. So sorry folks.. come to this blog for any questions you may have we will try to assist. Blessings

Updated Headcount - I originally stated that there were 9 people involved in this RIF. I've learned that the count is 21 people, not 9 as originally stated.

@ I'm still here: Thanks for the helpful response. I'll certainly bounce the retirement package question off my HR (and other) contacts, I have a solid plan for the pension, and I plan to milk the RMSA for every penny I can get... not because I need to, but to get it out of Anthem's grubby little hands. Not surprisingly, and for the same reason as with the RMSA, I'm taking the lump sum payout option on the pension - I'll do a direct rollover into a qualified plan to avoid a taxable event. Thanks again.

@ glad to be gone. Well I can't believe I missed another one. I'm in IT too. I probably know you. I'm really sorry but take it as a blessing. Especially you are at retirement . Looks like you got some fresh responses. But when you execute the retirement package that should exempt you from having to apply for jobs and doing the unemployment gig. . You should just get your whole check from Anthem. Once it's over you MAY be eligible to open a claim with unemployment. Make sure you ask your questions to your rep. Also if you're here long enough check for your pension and RMSA benefits ( retiree medical benefits) be in the know. Come here if you have more questions. Blessings, my friend

National Labor Board article on employers enforcing silence agreements on employees to get severance package payouts - Know your legal rights!
https://www.msn.com/en-us/video/money/labor-board-says-employers-cant-offer-severance-pay-for-silence/vi-AA17P3qL?ocid=msedgntp&t=21

So sorry to hear … I was let go Sept of last year and I can try to help you with your questions as much as a I can.

Anyway, for your concern about retirement age, I can tell you with certainty that if you have 10 or more years in Anthem and 55 years of age or over at the time you were RIF’ed .. then you will get your full 26 weeks severance pay and you will also don’t need to attest that you are still actively searching for a job.

Attesting for job search I believe is a pain and it’s good not to do it at all.

Hope this helps …

At some point HR should give you some information. That aside, back in 2020 those cut had to apply for state unemployment. If you got a job before you severance ended, then severance stopped. At that time, if you were 62 or more, you did not have to apply.
That could have changed.
Remember the number of weeks of severance is relative to how much time you worked here. The max is 26 weeks
After severance benefits run out, if you are old enough and have enough years of service (over 50 with 15 yrs???) you qualify to purchase insurance. The price was not that great in my opinion.
If you are considering taking all of you pension at once, take to an outside financial planner. You could experience other tax events if you do so.
Again if you are old enough, in 2024 you will get a partial AIP. You will not find out what it is until it shows up.
At age 59 1/2 one can withdrawal from 401k without penalty.

When I was forced to retire in 2020, I received the 26-week severance outright and did not have to go through the unemployment supplemental process. They may have changed their procedures since then.

I was already eligible for retirement several years before this, so I executed the retirement package (pension and healthcare) as soon as could. Your situation may be different of course. I only waited till later to move my 401K to another financial company and then started to receive distributions from that.