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Thinking of Retiring? Review This Federal Benefits Fact Sheet
If you are thinking about retiring in the next few years, it's important to
review this federal benefits fact sheet, especially prior to the upcoming
federal benefits open season (Nov. 8 - Dec. 13, 2010) when you can make changes
to your health, dental, vision and other programs.
Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan (FEHB)
• When you retire, you are eligible to continue health benefits coverage if
you meet all of the following requirements:
- you are entitled to retire on an immediate annuity under a retirement system
for civilian employees (including the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)
Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) + 10 retirement); and
- you have been continuously enrolled (or covered as a family member) in any
FEHB plan(s) for the 5 years of service immediately before the date your annuity
starts, or for the full period(s) of service since your first opportunity to
enroll (if less than 5 years).
• The 5 year requirement period can include the following:
- the time you are covered as a family member under another person's FEHB
enrollment; or
- the time you are covered under the Uniformed Services Health Benefits
Program (also known as TRICARE) as long as you were covered under an FEHB
enrollment at the time of your retirement.
• As an annuitant, you are entitled to the same benefits and Government
contributions as Federal employees enrolled in the same plan.
• The event of retirement is not a qualifying life event (QLE); however,
there are other opportunities to change FEHB enrollment including during Open
Season or when you experience a QLE.
• If you are not enrolled in FEHB (or covered as a family member) at the time
of your retirement, you cannot enroll when you retire.
• If you are enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health
Savings Account (HSA) at the time of your retirement, you can still contribute
to your HSA provided you have no other insurance coverage other than those
specifically allowed, and are not claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax
return. Some examples of other coverage that would cause ineligibility are:
Medicare, TRICARE, other non-high deductible health insurance, or having
received VA benefits within the previous three months. If you don't qualify for
an HSA, your plan will enroll you in a Health Reimbursement Arrangement
(HRA).
• If you cancel your FEHB enrollment as an annuitant, you will never be able
to re-enroll in FEHB unless you had suspended your FEHB enrollment in order to
enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, TRICARE or CHAMPVA, or Medicaid or similar
State-sponsored program of medical assistance.
• If you want your surviving family members to continue your health benefits
enrollment after your death, you must be enrolled for Self and Family at the
time of your death, and at least one family member must be entitled to an
annuity as your survivor.
• Consider whether you need to sign-up for Medicare when you become eligible.
More information: www.opm.gov/insure/health
Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Plan
(FEDVIP)
• There is no 5 year requirement for continuing FEDVIP coverage into
retirement.
• Your coverage will continue as a retiree. Retirees may also enroll during
the annual Federal Benefits Open Season or when you experience a qualifying life
event (QLE). Keep in mind
that retirement is not a QLE.
• In
most cases, changing from payroll deduction to annuity deduction is automatic,
but may take one to three months to occur.
• BENEFEDS cannot deduct premiums from your annuity while you are receiving
"special" or "interim" pay. Once your annuity is finalized, premium deductions
will begin. If you miss one or more premium payments before your annuity is
final, BENEFEDS will make double deductions until any balance due is paid. They
will notify you before deducting this additional premium amount. Once there is
no past due balance, the amount of premium deducted will return to the regular
monthly premium.
More information:
http://www.opm.gov/insure/dental
http://www.opm.gov/insure/vision
http://www.BENEFEDS.com
Flexible Spending Accounts for Federal Employees
(FSAFEDS)
• When you retire, you will no longer be able to participate in FSAFEDS. Your
FSA will terminate as of the date of your retirement, and you will not be
eligible to enroll as an annuitant. When you make your annual election for the
year that you plan to retire, keep in mind that any remaining funds for which
you have not incurred eligible expenses while employed will be forfeited.
• You can still submit claims for eligible medical expenses incurred prior to
the date of your retirement.
• You can continue to use the remaining balance in your Dependent Care
Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA) to pay for eligible dependent care expenses
until the end of the Benefit Period or until your account balance is used up,
whichever comes first.
• If you used your entire elected amount before you contributed all of it
from your pay, you will not be responsible for the remaining payments.
More information: http://www.opm.gov/insure/flexible
Federal Employees Life Insurance (FEGLI)
• When you retire, you are eligible to continue your FEGLI life insurance
coverage(s) if you retire on an immediate annuity and had the coverage for:
-- the five years of service immediately before the starting date of your
annuity or, for annuitants retiring under FERS who postpone receiving their
annuity, the five years immediately before their separation date for annuity
purposes, or
-- all period(s) of service during which that coverage was available to you
if it is less than five years, and
-- you (or your assignees) do not convert the coverage to a private
policy.
• If you are eligible, you will choose via Standard Form (SF) 2818 how you
wish your coverage(s) to continue during your retirement.
• If you are not enrolled in FEGLI at the time of your retirement, you cannot
enroll when you retire.
• You cannot newly elect or increase existing coverage after you retire. You
may only reduce or cancel coverage.
• Your premiums are subject to change in the future. Your premium could
change based on your age and the experience of the Program. You will be notified
if there is any change in your deductions from your annuity.
More information: http://www.opm.gov/insure/life
Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program
(FLTCIP)
• If you are enrolled in FLTCIP, your coverage continues into retirement
provided you continue to pay premiums.
• If you pay premiums via payroll deduction, then shortly before you retire,
you should notify Long Term Care Partners (LTCP) at 1-800-582-3337 to make other
arrangements for premium payment.
• You may elect annuity deduction if you desire. LTCP cannot deduct your
premium from "special" or "interim" pay. LTCP will send you a direct bill during
this time. Premium deduction will begin from your annuity once it is
finalized.
More information: http://www.opm.gov/insure/ltc
Source: OPM RI 70-1, 11/09
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