Back to the OP. In reading

[UCGal]

Back to the OP.
In reading about this elsewhere I see the following:

The IBM changes have NOTHING to do with the Affordable Care Act. They are moving MEDICARE age employees, from an IBM subsidized medigap policy, to giving a subsidy for the retired, age 65+ employee to get insurance through a Medicare Exchange program.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/07/us-ibm-healthcare-idUSBRE98602Z20130907

IBM is still subsidizing the retired medicare eligible employees – just letting them chose their own plan (and take on the risk of premium increase.)

According to the wall street journal – Time Warner is the same situation – they announced the change for medicare eligible retirees.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324549004579063170451763800.html

In some ways this may benefit the retiree – they can apply the employer subsidy to any plan offered on the exchange – vs a one size fits all choice.