Q. I am a FERS employee who will be retiring under early retirement rules for air traffic control. I will turn 55 in April 2014 and plan to retire Jan. 4, 2014. Everything I read says that if I retire in the year I turn 55, there will be no early withdrawal penalty for my Thrift Savings Plan. My human resources specialist says I must retire after I turn 55 — after my birthday in April. Which is correct? I also understand the advantages of retiring close to the end of the month, ideally the last day. However, Jan. 4…
Browsing: FEHBP
Q. I am 49 and will shortly leave federal service, temporarily (I hope). I have 19 years of service and have always been an FEHB subscriber. When I return to federal service in my 50s, will I need to have an additional five years of FEHB-covered service before retiring with FEHB benefits? That is, does the consecutive five-year rule refer to (a) five years before retirement or (b) five consecutive years when one is eligible to subscribe to FEHB? For example, could I return to federal service at age 54 (as an FEHB subscriber) and then retire at my MRA…
Q. I am a 43-year-old attorney considering leaving federal service for the private sector. I have 9½ years of service, have been enrolled in FEHB for that entire time and am deciding whether any benefit would vest or accrue to me if I stay 10 full years rather than leaving a few months short of that. My human resources specialist says that if I have 10 years of service when I resign, then I would be eligible to apply for an early retirement annuity at age 57 (MRA+10, I think) and re-enroll in FEHB at that age. Is he correct?…
Q. I am 64 and have worked for the Transportation Security Administration for 2½ years. I would like to retire when I reach 65 next year when Medicare becomes available to me. But my wife is one year younger. Is there a COBRA system so she can be covered for the one year before her Medicare kicks in?
Q. I have just retired from federal government (age 67) and have Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance. I signed up for Medicare Part A at 65, and am trying to decide whether to sign up for Part B. (I gather I have eight months from time of retirement.) I gather many doctors do not take Medicare, but if they do, I understand that they are governed by Medicare rules and payment schedules, whether or not the patient has signed up for Medicare. Is this correct? I have read that the insurance company cannot pay more than the Medicare payment schedule allows,…
Q. Besides form OPM 2809, what supporting papers do I need to re-enroll 31 days before the loss of Federal Employees Health Benefits coverage? My wife will not get her SF-50 to show employment separation and loss of FEHB until after separation April 20. I called and emailed the Office of Personnel Management, but no response.
Q. I am a federal retiree on Medicare with Blue Cross Blue Shield basic. I also have a third insurer through New York’s state insurance program. The program is putting all its Medicare retirees into a Part D drug program. How will this affect my BCBS drug coverage? A. According to OPM, if you are enrolled in Part D, your FEHB plan will coordinate benefits with Medicare.
Q. Can a retiree suspend his Federal Employees Health Benefits because of using the Veterans Affairs Department for care? They mention Tricare, Medicare, ChampVA and “other” programs but not VA. A. No.
Q. I’m 64½ years old, retired FERS with Federal Employees Health Benefits. No dependents. I am also retired military, but I have never used Tricare. I am now considering what to do in this open season and as I reach 65 years of age. This is my plan: 1) Enroll in a cheaper (I have Kaiser now), more reasonably priced FEHB during open season. 2) Suspend that new FEHB coverage using form RI 79-9 to OPM. 3) Use my Tricare Standard until I reach 65 years (five months from now). 4) Find a Physician who take Tricare Standard. 5) Enroll…
Q. I turn 65 in March and would like to suspend my FEHB, but I am concerned that I won’t have health coverage until Medicare kicks in. How should I proceed? I’ve have been told that you can suspend your FEHB, but I don’t know the process or how long the grace period is after such an action. A. There are only two ways you can suspend your FEHB enrollment. 1) If you are enrolling in Tricare, CHAMPVA or a Medicare Advantage plan or 2) If you are going to be carried under your spouse’s own FEHB enrollment.