Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin primarily partners with UnitedHealthcare to provide healthcare benefits to its employees. This collaboration allows Lockheed Martin to offer comprehensive health plans tailored to meet the diverse needs of its workforce across various locations. Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026 As healthcare costs are projected to rise significantly in 2026, Lockheed Martin employees may face increased out-of-pocket expenses. Following trends revealed in recent reports, health insurance premiums for many states are slated to soar, with some seeing hikes exceeding 60%. Contributing factors include rising medical costs due to inflation and the anticipated expiration of federal premium subsidies, which could push the average increase for consumers to over 75%. The combination of these elements suggests that both employees and employers may need to strategize for heightened healthcare expenses in the coming year. Click here to learn more
What Is It?
Due to you being an employee at Lockheed Martin, let's assume you are a car owner. You're concerned about who will pay your medical bills if you have an accident. You have a personal auto policy (PAP). The 'med pay' portion of your PAP pays the medical expenses for you or your family members involved in a car accident regardless of fault.
The purpose of med pay is to provide payment for immediate medical treatment of people injured in an auto accident without waiting to see who is at fault and ultimately liable. Medical payments coverage is located in Part B of your PAP and contains the following sections: the Insuring Agreement, Exclusions, Limit of Liability, and Other Insurance.
The Insuring Agreement
In General
As Lockheed Martin employees and retirees, we don't expect you to be experts on insurance agreements and all their nuances. The insuring agreement is the most important part of each section of your PAP. It sets forth the circumstances under which the insurer will pay benefits to you, or on your behalf, for med pay coverage. Your med pay coverage typically pays reasonable expenses incurred for necessary medical and funeral services because of 'bodily injury' caused by an accident that is sustained by an 'insured.' The benefits of med pay coverage are available up to the specified limit per person.
Time Limit
We feel that it is important to remind all Lockheed Martin employees and retirees that there is a time limit factor associated with these types of insuring agreements. The insuring agreement also imposes a time limit after which the med pay coverage is no longer available. The time limit is typically one to three years after the accident. Check your policy for the specific time limit.
Insurance companies impose a time limit on med pay for two reasons: (1) closure--the insurer wants to know what the total payments are in a reasonable amount of time, and (2) protection against fraud--after a number of years it may become difficult to determine whether the treatment requested is for the covered injury or for a later-occurring injury that is not covered. A time limit gives insurance companies some protection on med pay claims.
Definition of 'Insured'
It's crucial that we make the definition of 'insured' very clear for our Lockheed Martin clients. Whether a person is insured determines if they are covered under your policy. The med pay section of your PAP has its own definition of 'insured.' It typically defines 'insured' as:
-
You or any 'family member':
- While 'occupying' 'your covered auto'
- As a pedestrian when struck by a motor vehicle designed for use mainly on public roads or a trailer of any type.
- Any other person while 'occupying' 'your covered auto': As in Part A: Liability Coverage, 'you' refers to you as the named insured and your spouse. 'Family member' is defined as any person related to you who lives in your home. 'Your covered auto' is any vehicle that is listed on the Declarations Page of your PAP.
To be covered by med pay, you have to be a person occupying a motor vehicle. The key term is occupying. Not surprisingly, there has been plenty of litigation surrounding the interpretation of that term. Your PAP probably defines 'occupying' as 'in, upon, getting in, on, out, or off' a motor vehicle at the time of the accident.
Med pay coverage is also extended to any pedestrian who is hit by 'your covered auto.' This reflects the no-fault nature of med pay coverage. If anyone is injured by your vehicle, med pay will cover his or her medical bills no matter who is at fault. The definition itself limits coverage to vehicles designed for use mainly on public roads. Therefore, Part B does not provide coverage for injuries inflicted by bicycles and many other types of vehicles.
Exclusions
In the spirit of due diligence, we want to educate all Lockheed Martin employees and retirees on the exclusions section of your insurance policy.
In General
The exclusions section of your insurance policy specifically sets out the limitations and restrictions on the coverage provided by the insuring agreement. Your PAP excludes med pay coverage for 11 specific causes of loss. Generally, coverage is excluded to avoid duplication with other, more suitable insurance coverages, for business uses, and to eliminate nonstandard (even catastrophic) risks.
Workers' Compensation
Since many Lockheed Martin employees are covered by workers' compensation, we feel it's valuable to mention how Med pay handles injuries that are covered by workers' compensation. Med pay coverage typically will not cover 'bodily injuries' sustained by an insured that is covered by workers' compensation. Workers' compensation is better suited to cover such losses.
Business Use
Generally, med pay will not cover you for 'bodily injuries' sustained while using a vehicle for business purposes. Commercial policies are better suited for that type of coverage. The business exclusions in the PAP include:
- Your PAP will not provide med pay coverage when you are occupying 'your covered auto' as a public or livery conveyance (i.e., transporting people or goods for a fee).
- Med pay excludes coverage for injuries sustained while occupying a vehicle when it is being used in the business of an insured. This exclusion does not apply to injuries sustained in:
- A private passenger auto
- A pickup or van that you own
- A 'trailer' being used with one of the above
Example(s): Hal has a PAP and uses his pickup truck for his job as a copier technician. The job requires Hal to drive from site to site servicing copiers. Hal has an accident and sustains 'bodily injury.' Result: Hal is eligible for med pay coverage under the preceding exceptions.
Nonstandard Risks
It's important for all Lockheed Martin employees and retirees to understand that there are some nonstandard risks that your insurer does not intend to cover. Your med pay policy excludes many nonstandard risks that you could subject yourself to. Med pay coverage is excluded for:
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- Unlawful use--Anyone who uses your vehicle without a reasonable belief that they are entitled to do so is not covered (e.g., when a thief or joyrider steals your car).
- Vehicles with fewer than four wheels--Med pay will not provide coverage for any injuries you sustain while 'occupying' a vehicle with fewer than four wheels. Vehicles such as motorcycles present additional risks that your med pay does not intend to cover. You can purchase additional insurance to cover these types of risks.
- Vehicles located for use as a residence or premises--If you are injured in the equivalent of someone's 'house,' your auto insurance isn't really the best place to look for payment. A homeowners insurance claim may be more appropriate. For example, coverage is excluded if you are injured in a trailer that has been set up as a campsite.
- Autos not listed on the PAP--Any auto that you own or that is owned by a family member not listed on your PAP Declarations Page is not covered under med pay. This exception does not apply to you (or your spouse) if you're in a vehicle that is owned by a different 'family member.'
Example(s): Your son Pat owns a car. He is 18, lives with you at home, and has his own insurance. If you take the car for a test ride around the block and have an accident, your medical expenses are covered under your own med pay policy. If Pat's friend, Bobby, has an accident while taking the same test ride, your med pay coverage will not cover him for his medical expenses.
Insurers can calculate risks only on your known vehicles. If a vehicle is not listed on your policy, injuries sustained while using it will not be covered.
- Racing--You guessed it: no med pay coverage when you compete in, practice, or prepare for any prearranged or organized racing or speed contest. If you're a race-car driver you should purchase insurance that is designed to cover the obvious risks of race-car driving.
Catastrophic Exposure
The med pay section of your PAP also excludes coverage for various catastrophic exposures that cause 'bodily injury' to an insured. These are so catastrophic that calling them 'nonstandard risks' just doesn't seem to be appropriate. They are:
- Discharge of a nuclear weapon, a nuclear reaction, radiation, or radioactive contamination (even if accidental)
- War (declared or undeclared)
- Civil war
- Insurrection
- Rebellion or revolution
These exceptions are designed to protect the insurer from a situation in which a large number of claims result from a single catastrophic incident. Although most Lockheed Martin employees generally don't need to be concerned with this part of the agreement, it helps illustrate a full picture of the agreement
Limit of Liability
One extremely important thing for Lockheed Martin employees and retirees to keep in mind is the Limit of Liability part of their agreement.
In General
Your PAP is not an unlimited source of funds for you to draw on in case of an accident. There are limits to how much coverage your insurer will provide. The limit of liability for med pay coverage is listed on the Declarations Page of your PAP. It can be in any dollar amount but is typically $5,000 or $10,000. This limit is the maximum amount of med pay coverage that will be paid by the insurance company, per person, for any one accident.
Total Per Accident
The med pay limit on the Declarations Page is the maximum dollar amount that the insurance company will pay any one person for any one accident. It's the most the insurance company will pay regardless of the number of:
- Insureds
- Claims made
- Vehicles or premiums shown on the Declarations Page or
- Vehicles involved in the auto accident
The insurance company is responsible for paying up to the specified limit and no higher. That limit does not change depending on how many insureds there are or how many of your covered vehicles are involved in the accident.
No Duplicate Damages
Lockheed Martin employees and retirees should know that the insurer will not pay med pay benefits when some other person or organization will do so. The first example of this is when other sections of your PAP cover the loss. You will not receive duplicate med pay payments for the same loss that is covered under Part A Liability, Part C-: Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage, or any underinsured motorists coverage provided by your PAP. The same rule applies to duplicate med pay benefits under another person's policy.
Example(s): You are injured as a passenger in Ron's car. You receive $5,000 in med pay coverage from Ron's PAP. Later, it is proven that Ron is liable for your injuries. Any amount you are awarded from the Part A: Liability section of Ron's policy will be reduced by the amount you were paid under the med pay coverage.
Other Insurance
In General
When you're in a car accident, it's likely that more than one auto insurance policy is in effect. The other insurance clause limits your insurer's liability when there is another policy that might also cover your loss. Generally, your PAP insurer will pay its pro rata share of the loss. That share is the proportion that your policy's med pay limit bears to the total amount of any other med pay policies in effect.
Example(s): Ron is a passenger in Tammy's car when she has an accident. Tammy's policy provides $10,000 per person in med pay coverage. Ron is considered 'insured' under Tammy's policy because he's in her car. Let's say that Ron has his own PAP that provides med pay coverage of $5,000. Which policy pays, and how much? The total amount of med pay is $15,000. Each has to pay only their pro-rated fair share of any losses that are less than the total. Tammy's share is two-thirds ($10,000 of $15,000) and Ron's share is one-third ($5,000 of $15,000). So, under the general rule, if Ron's medical bills add up to $6,000, Tammy's insurer has to pay $4,000 (two-thirds) and Ron's insurer has to pay $2,000 (one-third).
The second part of the other insurance clause limits liability even further. When your insurer is providing med pay coverage for a vehicle that you do not own, it will make payment only if the primary med pay coverage on the vehicle is insufficient. In the preceding example, Ron's med pay coverage will have to pay only his medical bills that exceed Tammy's med pay limit of $10,000.
How does Lockheed Martin determine the monthly pension benefit for employees nearing retirement, and what factors should employees consider when planning their retirement based on this calculation? Specifically, how do the concepts of "Final Average Pay" and "Credited Years of Service" interact in the pension calculation under Lockheed Martin’s retirement plan?
Lockheed Martin Pension Calculation: Lockheed Martin calculates monthly pension benefits using the "Final Average Pay" (FAP) and "Credited Years of Service" (CYS). The FAP is determined by averaging the three highest annual compensations prior to 2016, while CYS counts the years from employment start to December 31, 2019, when the pension was frozen. The benefit per year of service is calculated based on whether the FAP is less than or exceeds the Social Security Covered Compensation, with specific formulas applied for each scenario. These calculations directly affect the monthly pension benefit, which may also be reduced if retirement commences before a certain age due to early retirement penalties.
Given the recent changes in Lockheed Martin's pension policy, what implications could this have for employees who are planning to retire in the near future? How should these employees navigate their expectations regarding retirement income given that the pension has been frozen since 2020?
Implications of Pension Freeze: Since Lockheed Martin froze its pension plan in 2020, no future earnings or years of service will increase pension benefits. This freeze shifts the emphasis towards maximizing contributions to 401(k) plans, where Lockheed Martin increased its maximum contribution to 10% for non-represented employees. Employees planning for imminent retirement should recalibrate their financial planning to account for this change, prioritizing 401(k) growth and other retirement savings vehicles to compensate for the pension freeze.
What options does Lockheed Martin provide for employees regarding healthcare insurance as they approach retirement age? How do these options compare in terms of coverage and cost, particularly for those who will transition to Medicare upon reaching age 65?
Healthcare Options Near Retirement: As Lockheed Martin employees approach retirement, they can choose from several health insurance options. Before Medicare eligibility, they may use COBRA, a Lockheed Martin retiree plan, or the ACA's private marketplace. Post-65, they transition to Medicare, with the possibility of additional coverage through Medicare Advantage or Medigap plans. Lockheed Martin supports this transition with a Health Reimbursement Arrangement, providing an annual credit to help cover medical expenses.
Understanding the complex nature of Lockheed Martin's pension and retirement benefits, what resources are available to employees to help them navigate their choices regarding pension claiming options? In what ways can the insights from these resources aid employees in making informed decisions about their financial future?
Resources for Navigating Retirement Benefits: Lockheed Martin employees have access to resources like the LM Employee Service Center intranet, which includes robust tools such as a pension estimator. This tool allows for modeling different retirement scenarios and understanding the impacts of various pension claiming options. Additional support is provided through HR consultations and detailed plan descriptions to ensure employees make informed decisions about their retirement strategies.
For employees with varying years of service at Lockheed Martin, how can their employment history impact their pension benefits? What strategies should individuals explore to maximize their benefits given the different legacy systems that might influence their retirement payout?
Impact of Employment History on Pension Benefits: The length and nature of an employee’s service at Lockheed Martin significantly influence pension calculations. Historical changes in pension policies, particularly the transition points of the pension freeze, play critical roles in determining the final pension benefits. Employees must consider their entire career timeline, including any represented or non-represented periods, to understand and maximize their eligible pension benefits fully.
How does the Lockheed Martin retirement plan ensure that benefits are preserved for spouses or dependents after an employee's passing? How do different claiming options affect the long-term financial security of the employee's family post-retirement?
Benefit Preservation for Dependents: Lockheed Martin's pension plan includes options that consider the welfare of spouses or dependents after an employee's passing. Options like "Joint and Survivor" ensure ongoing benefits for surviving spouses, while choices like "Life with X-Year guarantee" provide continued payments for a defined period after the employee’s death. Understanding these options helps secure long-term financial stability for beneficiaries.
What steps can Lockheed Martin employees take to prepare financially for retirement, especially if they have outstanding loans or financial obligations? How crucial is it for employees to understand the conditions under which these loans must be settled before retirement?
Financial Preparation for Retirement: Employees approaching retirement should focus on clearing any outstanding loans and maximizing their contributions to tax-advantaged accounts like 401(k)s and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). These steps are crucial for ensuring a smooth financial transition to retirement, minimizing potential tax impacts, and maximizing available retirement income streams.
With the evolution of Lockheed Martin's retirement initiatives, particularly the shift toward higher 401(k) contributions, how should employees balance contributions to their 401(k) with their overall retirement savings strategy? What factors should they consider in optimizing their investment choices post-retirement?
Balancing 401(k) Contributions: With the pension freeze, Lockheed Martin employees should increasingly rely on 401(k) plans, where the company has increased its contribution cap. Employees must balance these contributions with other savings strategies and consider their investment choices carefully to ensure a robust retirement fund that can support their post-retirement life.
How does Lockheed Martin's approach to retirement planning include the management of health savings accounts (HSAs) for retirees? What are the tax advantages of HSAs, and how can employees effectively utilize this resource when planning for healthcare expenses in retirement?
Management of HSAs for Retirees: Lockheed Martin encourages maximizing contributions to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), which offer significant tax advantages. These accounts not only provide funds for current medical expenses but can also be used tax-free for healthcare costs in retirement, making them a critical component of retirement health expense planning.
What is the best way for employees to contact Lockheed Martin regarding specifics or questions about their retirement benefits? What channels of communication are available, and how can they access the most current and relevant information regarding their retirement planning? These questions aim to encourage thoughtful consideration and discussion about retirement planning within Lockheed Martin, addressing various aspects of the company's benefits while promoting engagement with internal resources.
Contacting Lockheed Martin for Retirement Benefit Queries: Employees should direct specific inquiries about their retirement benefits to Lockheed Martin's HR department or consult the benefits Summary Plan Descriptions available through company resources. These channels ensure employees receive accurate and comprehensive information tailored to their individual circumstances.