U.S. Office of Personnel Management - Ensuring the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce

The Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program consists of different types of plans: Fee-for-Service with a Preferred Provider Organization; Health Maintenance Organizations; Point of Service; High Deductible Health Plans; and Consumer Driven Health Plans. How you obtain coverage or services and pay for it differs depending on the plan. However, benefits available under all plans includes hospital care, surgical care, in-patient and out-patient care, obstetrical care, mental health and substance abuse care, and prescription drug coverage. And there are no waiting periods or pre-existing condition limitations under the Program, even if you change plans.  Benefits do not change for you simply because you are retired.

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 FERS MRA + 10 retirements); 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).

In some cases exceptions are made.

Information for Retirees and Survivor Annuitants The web version of our print pamphlet Information for Retirees and Survivor Annuitants, RI 79-2, this pamphlet summarizes the principal FEHB requirements and benefits from the retirees viewpoint.

Frequently Asked Questions
The questions that we are most asked by annuitants and their families.

FEHB Handbook Chapter
This chapter in the FEHB Handbook discusses the special FEHB considerations for annuitants.

• Go back to list of questions.