Here's an interesting article on how companies are starting to offer health insurance to retirees, including early retirees, again: http://finance.yahoo.com/focus-retirement/article/105509/Kee...

An initiative introduced by insurer Aetna and a group of major companies on Jan. 1 is expanding early retirees' access to coverage. Under the plan, called Retiree Health Access, several employers are banding together to help their retirees, pre- and post-65, buy insurance at discounted group rates.

Of course, there's something in it for the insurance companies:

Why the sudden interest? With boomers approaching retirement, insurers sense opportunity: At 65, early retirees become eligible to buy lucrative policies that supplement or replace Medicare. "We want to cover them for the rest of their lives," says Kenneth Sperling, senior vice-president at Cigna's Senior & Retiree Services.

AJ