Q. I plan to retire in approximately a year at age 55. I have been covered by my wife’s insurance and we thought that I could stop coverage with my wife in the next open enrollment and go on FEP, but they told me in my office that I had to have five years on FEP before I could have coverage upon retirement. Is this true? Why wasn’t this ever brought to my attention? Do I have any options?
A. You were misinformed. You only need to be enrolled in or covered by the FEHB program for five years to carry that coverage into retirement. There is nothing that would prevent you and your wife from electing different plans during the next Open Season.
