As a federal employee, continuing your health benefits in retirement requires being enrolled in an FEHB plan for the five years of service immediately preceding. However, did you know that the five-year rule does not apply when adding your spouse to your FEHB plan?
During your working years, your spouse may choose to carry healthcare insurance through their own employer for any number of reasons. Then again, very few private-sector employer healthcare plans continue into retirement. If you want to make sure your spouse is covered under FEHB in retirement, it’s important to understand the ins and outs.
You Can Add Your Spouse During Any Open Season
Whether you’re currently working for the government or a federal retiree, you can add your spouse to your FEHB coverage during any Open Season. The next FEHB Open Season will run from November 11, 2024, through December 9, 2024, and changes will take effect in 2025.
You’ll have to provide a copy of your official marriage certificate to prove that you’re legally married to your spouse. And, if you’ve been married for 12 months or more, you’ll also have to show you and your spouse are both listed on one of the following:
• The first page of your most recent tax return, or
• Proof of common residency and proof of combined finances.
Though the FEHB five-year rule doesn’t apply when adding your spouse, they must meet two requirements to continue FEHB in retirement. They must be eligible to receive a FERS survivor annuity when you pass away and they must be enrolled in FEHB before your death.
“If you’re getting married or newly married, call the OPM anytime from 31 days before your marriage to 60 days after.”
Can You Add A Spouse Outside Of Open Season?
Yes – if your spouse has lost their employer-provided healthcare coverage, it’s considered a Qualifying Life Event (QLE). This means you can add them to your FEHB coverage outside of Open Season. If you’re getting married or newly married, you can call the OPM anytime from 31 days before your marriage to 60 days after. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait until the next Open Season to make the change.
If You Don’t Elect A FERS Survivor Annuity, Your Spouse Is Not Eligible For FEHB
Under FERS, you must elect either a 50% or 25% survivor annuity in order for your spouse to be eligible for FEHB coverage in retirement. The reduction of your base annuity is 10% for the 50% survivor benefit and 5% for the 25% survivor benefit. If you choose a partial annuity, your spouse must give their written consent.
For complete information, download the OPM’s Eligibility Fact Sheet.
