As a federal employee, keeping your health benefits in retirement requires that you be enrolled in an FEHB plan for the five years immediately before retirement. But here’s something many people don’t realize: the five-year rule does not apply when adding your spouse to your FEHB plan.
During your career, your spouse may have chosen coverage through their own employer. However, most private-sector health plans do not continue into retirement. If you want your spouse covered under FEHB in retirement, it’s important to understand the rules.
You Can Add Your Spouse During Open Season
Whether you’re still working or already retired, you can add your spouse to your FEHB coverage during any Open Season. The FEHB Open Season typically runs from the 2nd Monday in November through the 2nd Monday in December. If that pattern continues, Open Season will be November 10, 2025, through December 8, 2025, with changes taking effect in 2026.
To enroll your spouse, you’ll need to provide a copy of your marriage certificate. If you’ve been married for at least 12 months, you’ll also need to show one of the following:
- The first page of your most recent joint tax return, or
- Proof of shared residency and combined finances.
While the five-year rule doesn’t apply when adding a spouse, two conditions must be met for them to keep FEHB after your death:
- They must be eligible for a FERS survivor annuity, and
- They must already be enrolled in FEHB at the time of your passing.
Adding a Spouse Outside of Open Season
You don’t always have to wait for Open Season. If your spouse loses their employer-provided coverage, it’s considered a Qualifying Life Event (QLE), which allows you to add them outside of Open Season. If you’re getting married, you can contact OPM anytime from 31 days before your wedding up to 60 days after. Outside of these circumstances, you’ll need to wait until the next Open Season.
Survivor Annuity Requirement
Under FERS, your spouse must be entitled to a survivor annuity to keep their FEHB plan after your death. You can choose either a 50% or 25% survivor annuity. The reduction to your base annuity is 10% for the 50% option and 5% for the 25% option. If you opt out of the survivor annuity, your spouse must provide written consent.
For full details, see the OPM Eligibility Fact Sheet.
