5 year requirement

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Q. My husband just retired under FERS. We are both federal employees. I am under FERS as well with a 31 years born 1964 plan to retire at age 56 like my spouse in 4 years and 11 months. I dropped my PPO insurance years ago when we married, and he covers me under his PPO Blue Cross Blue Shield. Before I retire, am I required to spend the last five years with my own health insurance?

A. No, you aren’t required to have your own enrollment for the 5 consecutive years before retirement. You only need to be covered by the program, which you are.

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Reg Jones was head of retirement and insurance policy at the Office of Personnel Management. Email your retirement-related questions to fedexperts@federaltimes.com.

2 Comments

  1. My question is my husband is a mail handler and I am a letter carrier. He is civil service. I am fers. I am covered under his health insurance I have been for 35 years. And right now we have a 24-year-old so it self and family. I will be retiring soon. can I get my own health insurance after I retire or do I need to do it before I retire. Next year my son will be getting his own insurance and my husband will change to just self if I can get my own

    • Yes, you and your husband can switch to a pair of Self Only enrollments during any Open Season. Or your husband could switch to Self Plus One when your 24-year old loses coverage.

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