Q. I am a rural carrier planning on retiring from the U.S. Postal Service next year. What is the approximate cost of carrying on with my health insurance for my husband and I? This cost could greatly affect my decision to retire.
Browsing: HEALTH INSURANCE
What happens to your Federal Employees Health Benefits program coverage if you accept an early retirement offer? It all depends. The law originally stated that an employee had to be enrolled in the FEHB program for the five years of service immediately before retirement or from that employee’s first opportunity to enroll. Later Congress granted the Office of Personnel Management limited authority to waive the five-year requirement, and only where it would be against equity and good conscience not to do so. The requirement then was broadened so that OPM can pre-approve waivers for employees retiring under the Voluntary Separation…
Q. I am 55 years old with 35 years of civil service under CSRS retirement. Do I need to take survivors benefits to be able to have health benefits for my husband and myself?
Q. I am hoping to leave service at 59 years old with 25 years of service. I was planning to postpone my annuity start date until I was 60. My understanding is if I postpone and do not defer my annuity, I could resume as if I just left service. I would be entitled to health insurance and my supplement until age 62; if I deferred I would be ineligible for either. I believe the words “postpone” and “defer” are not the same, though are similar in meaning. Do I need to meet my minimum retirement age to qualify for a postponed retirement?
Q. I am a civil service, not FERS, retiree. I will be 66 years old on April 19, 2016. I read there is an open season starting for those who would like to increase their life insurance. Is this for active employees only? Is there any way I can increase my basic life insurance now?
Q. I’m retired and will soon be 65 years old, which means I will enroll in Tricare and Medicare, leaving federal-level coverage of Blue Cross Blue Shield. Can I reenroll in the FEHB program if I’m not happy with Tricare? I also have Aetna federal dental plan? Can I keep Aetna with Tricare?
Q. If we suspend Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage in favor of Tricare, can we only re-enroll during Open Season? Would pre-existing conditions be covered? Can BC/BS Federal deny re-enrolling us if we have cancer? Is there a financial penalty if we do decide to re-enroll?
Q. I am covered under my husbands BCBS policy. I am turning 65 and have signed up for Medicare Part A. Will my prescription plan with Blue Cross be okay, or am I required to sign up for Medicare Part D?
Q. I am turning 65 in February 2016. I currently carry the FEHB BCBS plan for my family. I want to suspend my FEHB until my husband turns 65 and carry his employer s plan for the family until then. However, I can’t find that option on FEHB Form 2809 or Form RI 79-9. I have been retired for several years and need to make this change before the end of open season. Can I do this without incurring Medicare penalties or losing my right to lift the suspension and claim FEHB health benefits at a later date?
Q. How do I sign-up for Self Plus One?