Eye on 65

Willis Towers Watson’s John Barkett and Marianne Steger

Eye on 65 showcases creative ways for public sector plan sponsors to keep the promise of retiree health care.

  • 28 minutes 52 seconds
    Why ICHRA is gaining traction now, and what employers should do next

    In this episode of The Via Benefits Exchange, Nina Krammer sits down with Josh Miley, ICHRA Solution Leader at Via Benefits, to break down what an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) is and why employer interest is accelerating. Josh explains how ICHRA enables a defined contribution approach to healthcare, giving employees more choice while helping employers manage costs and risk. The conversation explores common misconceptions about the individual insurance market, tax efficiency compared to cash stipends, and real-world savings employers are seeing. Learn how organizations can start small, test ICHRA by employee class or location, and prepare for future benefits strategy shifts with support from Via Benefits by WTW.

    23 April 2026, 8:20 pm
  • 30 minutes 22 seconds
    The trillion dollar retiree healthcare challenge

    Public sector employers are facing growing retiree healthcare liabilities as OPEB obligations approach a trillion dollars nationwide. In this episode of The Via Benefits Exchange, experts explore why rising healthcare costs, longer lifespans, and unfunded retiree benefits are putting pressure on public budgets and financial statements.

    The conversation examines how shifting from traditional group retiree plans to the individual marketplace can help employers control costs while preserving benefits. Listeners will learn how defined contribution strategies, including HRAs, can reduce exposure to healthcare inflation, support retirees with choice and stability, and deliver sustainable retiree healthcare solutions for municipalities, states, and other public sector organizations.

    30 March 2026, 8:24 pm
  • 21 minutes 30 seconds
    When faculty culture shapes retiree benefits

    In this episode of The Via Benefits Exchange, host Nina Krammer joins WTW experts Margaret Rutter, Meghan Scott, and Eric Stanger to discuss how higher education institutions are approaching retiree healthcare through the individual marketplace. They explain why colleges and universities are moving away from traditional group retiree medical plans to control rising costs, reduce administrative burden and expand retiree choice and personalization.

    Through real-world experience shared by Via Benefits experts, the episode explains why colleges and universities are making this shift, what a typical transition looks like, and how it can reduce costs while increasing retiree choice and sustainability.

    26 February 2026, 6:47 pm
  • 55 seconds
    Season 3 Teaser: Introducing The Via Benefits Exchange

    We're sharing an important update with our listeners: Eye on 65 is now The Via Benefits Exchange. While the name and podcast artwork are changing, our mission, and our content, remain the same. This new name better reflects the broader conversations we're having across the benefits landscape, from Medicare and retirement benefits to health benefits and employee benefits that matter at every stage of life.

    In this brief episode, we explain why the Via Benefits Exchange podcast is evolving and what you can expect going forward. Listeners can continue to count on practical, thoughtful discussions designed to help make sense of today's complex benefits landscape, now with more room to explore what matters most.

    13 February 2026, 7:42 pm
  • 21 minutes 57 seconds
    Episode 24: D-coding the changes to Medicare Part D

    Seasoned retiree medical expert Barry Carleton decodes the latest views on the upcoming changes to Medicare Part D under the Inflation Reduction Act. We explore how these significant changes will impact Medicare-eligible retirees and organizations sponsoring post-65 retiree medical coverage in the coming years.

    20 August 2024, 6:49 pm
  • 15 minutes 9 seconds
    Episode 23: Connecting the dots from hire to retire

    Senior Director of Employee Spending Accounts, Sara Taylor shares insights on what benefit professionals should know when evaluating different types of accounts and how these accounts support employees from hire to retire.

    7 August 2024, 5:00 pm
  • 13 minutes 57 seconds
    Episode 22: This is legit!

    Retiree Ken Mengel shares insights on taking early retirement, transitioning to Via Benefits when he became Medicare-eligible, his health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) and choosing a plan on the individual marketplace.

    5 July 2024, 4:34 pm
  • 11 minutes 30 seconds
    Episode 21: A blessing in disguise

    Retiree Sal Trentacoste shares his insights on drug coverage, what he looks for in retiree medical benefits and his mentality for overcoming obstacles in retirement.

    29 May 2024, 7:28 pm
  • 14 minutes 32 seconds
    Episode 20: Less complicated than you think

    Retiree Randy Mayberry shares his opinion on group Medicare versus individual Medicare and what transitioning to an individual marketplace was like for him.

    16 April 2024, 6:27 pm
  • 16 minutes 22 seconds
    Episode 19: Truly my choice

    In the newest episode of Eye on 65, retiree Susan Morey shares her experiences in selecting drug coverage, choosing a medical plan and the overall enrollment process into both drug and medical plans.

    21 March 2024, 6:21 pm
  • 13 minutes 55 seconds
    Episode 18: No buyer's remorse

    In the latest episode of Eye on 65, retiree Robert Hoey shares his experience transitioning from a group plan to Medicare, what he looks for in a retirement plan and the benefits he found with his Health reimbursement arrangement (HRA).

    22 February 2024, 8:09 pm
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