Federal retiree healthcare · free tool
Compare annual costs around retirement and at 65. Keep 2027 approved FEHB plan figures distinct from 2026 TRICARE rates.
Set household coverage, plan, age and expected care use.
Plan-year distinction
FEHB premiums use the approved 2027 comparison dataset. TRICARE costs use 2026 retiree rates, with enrollment-fee growth shown as a planning assumption. Compare at retirement and at 65 only after entering your household assumptions.
Read the assumptions
The expected annual out-of-pocket estimate uses your entered medical-spend assumption and generalized cost sharing. It is not a medical claim simulation, plan guarantee or claims adjudication.
TFL requires Medicare Part B. No TFL payment is assumed if Part B is not enabled. FEHB survivor coverage generally requires a survivor annuity. FEDVIP dental and vision is available to eligible TRICARE retirees.
OPM rules · quoted with sources
OPM: actively working employees“No. Employees may not suspend their FEHB coverage.”
“Employees who do not participate in premium conversion may cancel their enrollment at any time.”
“For employees who participate in premium conversion, eligibility for CHAMPVA or TRICARE is not a qualifying life event that would allow them to cancel their FEHB enrollment. These employees may cancel during any annual FEHB Open Season.”
“If the employee loses CHAMPVA or other TRICARE coverage involuntarily, the employee can immediately reenroll in the FEHB Program.”
“They can apply to suspend their coverage at any time.”
“If an annuitant or survivor is involuntarily disenrolled from the other coverage, he/she can reenroll in the FEHB Program immediately.”
“When the individual cancels his/her FEHB enrollment as an annuitant, he/she will never be able to reenroll.”
OPM guidance (paraphrase): suspension keeps a path to reenrollment during Open Season; involuntary loss of the other coverage permits immediate reenrollment. This is different from cancellation, which is permanent for an annuitant.
Five-year rule: OPM states, “The time you are covered under Tricare counts toward the 5 years as long as you were covered under an FEHB enrollment at the time of your retirement.” OPM FEHB FastFacts (PDF).
Survivors and dental / vision: FEHB survivor coverage requires an eligible survivor annuity and the applicable enrollment conditions. TRICARE retirees may be eligible for FEDVIP dental and vision; see BENEFEDS eligibility. Verify plan-specific and survivor eligibility with OPM.
Cost sources: TRICARE 2026 costs and fees; FEHB plan comparisons use the approved 2027 plan-year data cited on FEHB Compare.
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