Certain Temporary (Non-Career) United States Postal Service Employees

When you retire, you are eligible to continue health benefits coverage if you meet all of the following requirements:

you are entitled to retire on an immediate annuity under a retirement system for civilian employees (including the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) + 10 retirement); and
you have been continuously enrolled (or covered as a family member) in any FEHB plan(s) for the 5 years of service immediately before the date your annuity starts, or for the full period(s) of service since your first opportunity to enroll (if less than 5 years).

the time you are covered as a family member under another person's FEHB enrollment; or
the time you are covered under the Uniformed Services Health Benefits Program (also known as TRICARE) as long as you were covered under an FEHB enrollment at the time of your retirement.

As an annuitant, you are entitled to the same benefits and Government contributions as Federal employees enrolled in the same plan.
The event of retirement is not a qualifying life event (QLE); however, there are other opportunities to change FEHB enrollment including during Open Season or when you experience a QLE.
If you are not enrolled in FEHB (or covered as a family member) at the time of your retirement, you cannot enroll when you retire.
If you are enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA) at the time of your retirement, you will no longer be able to contribute to your HSA. However, your plan will enroll you in a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA).
If you cancel your FEHB enrollment as an annuitant, you will never be able to re-enroll in FEHB unless you had suspended your FEHB enrollment in order to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, TRICARE or CHAMPVA, or Medicaid or similar State-sponsored program of medical assistance.

There is no 5 year requirement for continuing FEDVIP coverage into retirement.
You can continue your coverage as a retiree or enroll during the annual Federal Benefits Open Season or when you experience a qualifying life event (QLE). Keep in mind that retirement is not a QLE.
In most cases, changing from payroll deduction to annuity deduction is automatic, but may take one to three months to occur.
BENEFEDS cannot deduct premiums from your annuity while you are receiving "special" or "interim" pay. Once your annuity is finalized, premium deductions will begin. If you miss one or more premium payments before your annuity is final, BENEFEDS will make double deductions until any balance due is paid. They will notify you before deducting this additional premium amount. Once there is no past due balance, the amount of premium deducted will return to the regular monthly premium.

Your coverage continues into retirement provided you continue to pay premiums.
If you pay premiums via payroll deduction, then shortly before you retire, you should notify Long Term Care Partners (LTCP) at 1-800-582-3337 to make other arrangements for premium payment.
You may elect annuity deduction if you desire. LTCP cannot deduct your premium from "special" or "interim" pay. LTCP will send you a direct bill during this time. Premium deduction will begin from your annuity once it is finalized.

U.S. Office of Personnel Management - Ensuring the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce