Every September, people enrolled in Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans receive an annual notice spelling out changes to their coverage and costs for the year ahead. But if you’re a federal retiree with Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), whether that letter applies to you — and how much it matters — depends on exactly how your FEHB and Medicare coverage fit together. This guide provides a scenario-by-scenario breakdown of the common combinations of FEHB and Medicare coverage so you know what to do more…
Medicare and Federal Employees
How Much Will FEHB Cost You Between Retirement and Medicare?
If you’re retiring before 65, Federal Employees Health Benefits premiums between retirement and Medicare eligibility can add up to six figures — yet that cost rarely shows up as a line item in retirement projections. This guide walks through how to estimate your own FEHB bridge cost using your retirement age, current premium, and a few growth assumptions, plus what changes once Medicare eligibility begins. more…
How FEHB and Medicare Coordinate Benefits
If FEHB and Medicare feel like two separate puzzles you’re trying to fit together, you’re not alone — this is one of the most confusing parts of retirement planning for federal employees. Which one pays first? Do you actually need Part B if you already have solid FEHB coverage? What happens to your premium once Medicare kicks in? This guide breaks it all down in plain language, covering how the two programs coordinate, what changes when you enroll, and the enrollment windows that are easy to miss. It also includes a useful downloadable Medicare enrollment checklist plus a “Who Pays First: FEHB or Medicare” chart. more…
What the 2026 Medicare Trustees Report Means for Your FEHB and Medicare Costs
A new Trustees report shows Medicare spending is set to outpace Social Security within 11 years. See what’s driving the increase — and what it means for your FEHB premiums, IRMAA, and retirement budget. more…
The Medicare IRMAA Cliff: How a TSP Withdrawal Can Bite Back Two Years Later
A TSP withdrawal or Roth conversion can look harmless today — until it shows up two years later as a $2,300 Medicare surcharge. Here’s how the IRMAA “cliff” works, and the one move that can help you avoid it. more…
Why Some Federal Retirees Pay Higher Medicare Premiums (and What You Can Do About It)
Many federal retirees are surprised to learn that Medicare premiums aren’t the same for everyone. If your income exceeds certain limits, you may owe an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). Learn how SSA calculates IRMAA, common retirement events that trigger it, and how to request a reconsideration if your income has fallen. more…
How the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge May Benefit Federal Retirees
Starting July 1, 2026, The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program gives eligible Medicare beneficiaries access to certain GLP-1 weight loss medications for a $50 monthly copayment through a temporary CMS demonstration. This guide explains eligibility requirements, covered medications, prior authorization, costs, and what federal retirees should know about using the program alongside Medicare and FEHB coverage. more…
Will Medicare’s Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Program Lower Your Costs?
Medicare can now negotiate prices for certain high-cost prescription drugs, but what does that mean for your healthcare costs? Learn how the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program works, who may benefit, and what the Supreme Court’s recent decision means for Medicare beneficiaries more…
Should Federal Retirees Enroll in Medicare Part B? The Decision Is Getting More Expensive
With Medicare Part B premiums projected to continue rising over the next decade, the decision to enroll alongside your FEHB coverage deserves careful analysis. While many federal retirees benefit from combining Medicare with FEHB, the added monthly premium isn’t the right choice for everyone. Learn what the latest Medicare projections mean, why dropping FEHB is usually a mistake, and the key factors every federal retiree should consider before making this important retirement healthcare decision. more…
Projected 2027 Medicare Premium Increases Released in Trustee’s Report
The recently published 2026 Medicare Trustees Report projects that the standard Medicare Part B premium will increase next year. Deductibles and Part D costs are also expected to increase. Higher-income retirees may pay more due to the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) . Although official rates will not be announced until later this year, the projected costs are available, and some planning tips to prepare are provided. For federal retirees and employees approaching retirement, understanding these projections is important because Medicare premiums can significantly affect retirement income planning more…