Federal Retirement
Benefits Overview.
Federal employee retirement benefits are generous — but they come with real costs in retirement. Health and life insurance, Medicare coordination, Social Security, and TSP withdrawals all require decisions. This section covers every benefit you can carry into retirement and what each one costs.
What carries into
retirement with you.
Federal retirement is more than your monthly annuity. A suite of benefits — health insurance, life insurance, dental and vision, long-term care, and Social Security — can all continue into retirement, each with its own costs, eligibility rules, and decisions to make before you separate.
Federal retirement benefits are generous — but they will cost you real retirement dollars, especially for health and life insurance coverage. Uncle Sam continues federal employees' health benefits in retirement as long as you were enrolled in FEHB for the last five years of service. The catch: you pay the same monthly premium you paid while working, with no government subsidy increase.
Civil service retirement benefits for federal employees include your basic annuity, Social Security in many cases, Medicare coordination, Thrift Savings Plan withdrawal options, and numerous insurance programs you can opt to carry into retirement. Understanding each one before you retire — and what happens if you don't enroll in time — protects both you and your family.
Health and life insurance cost the same in retirement as they did while working — but they're no longer pre-tax, and the decisions are harder to undo.
The 5-year FEHB rule — the most important pre-retirement deadline
To carry Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) into retirement, you must have been continuously enrolled in FEHB for the five years immediately before your retirement date — or for the full period you were eligible to enroll, if less than five years. There are limited exceptions, but missing this requirement means you cannot re-enroll later. Verify your coverage history with your HR office well before your planned retirement date.
Review your beneficiary designations before you retire
One of the most overlooked pre-retirement tasks is updating beneficiary designations for your FEGLI life insurance, retirement annuity, TSP, and other savings. Beneficiaries designated years ago may no longer be appropriate — former spouses, deceased parents, or outdated contacts remain listed far more often than people realize.
When an employee or retiree dies and survivors discover the wrong person is the designated beneficiary, the result is hardship and, frequently, bitter disputes between family members. Review every designation before you sign your retirement paperwork.
Your OPM Retiree Benefits Identification Card
When you retire, OPM should send you a Retirement Services Reference Card with your annuitant claim number and OPM contact information on the back. Most retirees never receive one. To get yours, call OPM at 1-888-767-6738 — you should receive the card within about five days. The card can be used for certain discounts, and DOD retirees can use it to book stays at military resorts.
Comparing 2026 FEHB / PSHB Plans to their Medicare Advantage (MA) Plan Option
FEHB and PSHB Healthcare Plan Selection Guide
Medicare Advantage Plan Primer — What You Need to Know
Every benefit
covered in this section.
Select any benefit below for the full detail page — eligibility rules, cost breakdowns, enrollment deadlines, and what each means for your retirement income and family security.
Life Insurance
(FEGLI)
Basic coverage plus three optional tiers — A, B, and C. Must have carried coverage for five years before retirement to continue. Option B premiums escalate sharply with age in retirement.
Health Insurance
(FEHB)
The federal health benefits program — one of the most valuable retirement benefits. Continues into retirement if you meet the 5-year enrollment requirement. Premium is the same as active employees pay.
Dental & Vision
(FEDVIP)
The Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program — separate from FEHB. Retirees pay the full premium with no government contribution. Available to retirees and their eligible family members.
Long-Term Care
(FLTCIP)
The Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program covers nursing home care, assisted living, home care, and adult day care. Premiums and benefit levels vary by plan selected. Important planning tool for later retirement years.
Flex Spending
(FSAFEDS)
Federal Flexible Spending Account programs — healthcare FSA and dependent care FSA. Available to active employees; does not continue into retirement. Important to plan FSA use before your retirement date.
Life Event
Changes
Marriage, divorce, birth, adoption, and other qualifying life events allow changes to FEHB, FEGLI, and FEDVIP coverage outside the annual Open Season. Deadlines are strict — most elections must be made within 60 days of the event.
Medicare
Most federal retirees become eligible for Medicare at age 65. Coordinating Medicare with FEHB can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs — but the right strategy depends on your specific plan combination.
Social Security
FERS retirees are generally eligible for full Social Security benefits. CSRS retirees may be subject to the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) or Government Pension Offset (GPO), which can significantly reduce or eliminate benefits.
WEP & GPO
The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) reduces Social Security for federal retirees who also worked in Social Security-covered employment. The Government Pension Offset (GPO) reduces spousal and survivor Social Security for CSRS retirees.
Additional
resources.
Official OPM benefit guides, FAQs, and online account access for retirees.