News
Weighing the costs and trade-offs of suspending FEHB for Medicare Advantage
2+ week, 6+ day ago (753+ words) Tucked away in Section 9 of every Federal Employee Health Benefits plan brochure is an important and sometimes overlooked provision: "If you are an annuitant or former spouse, you can suspend your FEHB coverage to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan,…...
Sorting through Medicare myths in federal retirement decisions
3+ week, 4+ day ago (757+ words) Myth: Adding Medicare Part B is too expensive. Myth: Since I am subject to Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) surcharges, it is not worth adding Part B. In 2026, IRMAA affects Medicare enrollments when your Modified Adjusted Gross income from two…...
How federal employees over 65 can navigate Medicare, FEHB and TRICARE
6+ mon, 1+ week ago (1015+ words) According to Office of Personnel Management data, as of September 2024, around 5% -- or roughly 100, 000 -- of the federal workforce was older than 65. Considering the large number of employees taking advantage of retirement under the Deferred Resignation Program, some of this group may…...
FEHB costs are climbing in 2026. Here's what that means for feds
6+ mon, 3+ week ago (890+ words) The most reliable source for understanding how your FEHB plan is changing in 2026 is the official plan brochure. Illustration by Open AI Unfortunately, the 12. 3% average enrollee increase in FEHB premiums isn't the only health insurance cost rising next year. Depending…...
What federal employees need to know about Medicare enrollment
6+ mon, 3+ week ago (1287+ words) Most federal employees and annuitants know they are eligible for Medicare benefits at age 65. What's less clear is how and when to enroll in the different parts of Medicare. Here's what to keep in mind as you approach eligibility. 1. Initial…...
Delaying Medicare Part B: Why the penalty isn't always as bad as it sounds
6+ mon, 1+ week ago (600+ words) That's a fair question. And for some, it can be a reasonable choice to wait. While Medicare does add a 10% penalty for every 12 months you delay, that penalty isn't as punishing as it first appears. In some cases, waiting can…...
4 Things Federal Employees Wish They Knew Sooner About TSP, FEHB, and Medicare
8+ mon, 1+ week ago (308+ words) sponsor content What's this? One of the biggest advantages of a federal career is access to powerful retirement benefits. But many employees don't realize the hidden strategies within the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), and Medicare…...
Retired and confused about Medicare Part B? You're not alone
10+ mon, 4+ week ago (539+ words) Here are some questions related to coordinating Medicare and FEHB that I received from a recent retiree:" I retired recently and I am 68 years old, so I just started receiving Social Security payments and I registered for Medicare Part A…...