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Federal Employee Retirement Health Benefits

The government provides health benefits to federal employees upon retiring as long as they meet two requirements. Retired federal employees must receive income from an immediate annuity no later than one month after their retirement date. They must also have participated in a Federal Employee Health Benefit's Plan continuously for at least five years prior to their retirement date.

  1. Health Benefit Continuation

    • Once a federal employee retires and they meet the requirements, their health benefits are continued. The chosen benefit plan will remain in effect, as will the premium amount. The only change made in retirement health benefits is that the premiums will be paid monthly instead of twice a month. If you decide to make changes to your coverage or want to choose another plan, you can do so from mid-November through mid-December during the annual Federal Benefits Open Season. If you retire as a federal employee and you were not participating in the health insurance plan, you will not be allowed to enroll.

    Available Health Benefits

    • Just as current federal employees have access to various health benefits, retired federal employees can choose from the same plans. Your choices of health coverage include Preferred Provider Organizations, Point of Service and High Deductible plans, and Health Maintenance Organizations. You will receive the same benefits under any plan you select, such as out-patient and in-patient care, prescriptions, hospital and surgical care and mental health care. If you have any preexisting conditions, you won't have any waiting periods, even you if change health insurance plans.

    Health Benefits for Family Members

    • Retirement health benefits are also extended to eligible family members of the retired federal employee. Your spouse can receive coverage under your plan, as can your dependent children under the age of 22 if they are unmarried. If you have legally adopted children, children born out of wedlock, step or foster children that are living with you, they may be eligible to be covered under your health benefits as well. An adult child that is unmarried and dependent on you because of physical or mental disabilities that existed before the child became 22 is considered an eligible family member to receive your retirement health benefits. Family coverage will continue after the retired federal employee dies only if the members were already enrolled and one of them is receiving the survivor annuity.

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