Q. Can I add my spouse to my insurance when I retire at 62? I am a federal employee who has had federal health insurance for five years. My spouse has not been on that plan. I was told I could add him as long as I had had the federal insurance for five years. Reading the rules now looks like he has to be enrolled for five years prior to my retirement.
A. While you cannot add your spouse to your Federal Employees Health Benefits plan when you retire, you can do that during any open season by changing from the self-only option to self and family. You are the one who has to be covered for five years to carry that coverage into retirement, not him.