Upon your retirement, coverage under the SHOP will terminate. If you have met the 5-year retirement rule you will have the option to select coverage from the same plans offered by OPM to other Federal annuitants. The 5-year retirement rule states that you must have been continuously covered by the FEHB Program, TRICARE, or the Civilian Health and Medical Program for Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS):
- for five years of service immediately before retiring; or,
- during all of your federal employment since your first opportunity to enroll; or,
- continuously for full periods of service beginning with the enrollment that started before January 1, 1965, and ending with the date on which you become an annuitant, whichever is shortest.
If your effective retirement date is on the first of the month, this transition will occur immediately. If your effective retirement date is not the first of the month, you will continue in your DC SHOP coverage for the rest of the month and then transition into an OPM contracted FEHB plan of your choice. You will continue receiving a Government contribution into retirement. For more information, please contact your agency benefits officer.