You can find a summary of QLEs at Federal Benefits FastFacts www.opm.gov/insure/health/planinfo/qle.a sp

* Will my FEHB benefits and Thinking About Retiring? premiums change when I retire? No. You will be entitled to the same benefits and annual premiums as Federal The Federal Employees Health employees enrolled in the same plan. (However, if you worked for an agency that Benefits (FEHB) Program contributed a higher percentage towards your premium, you will not receive that higher contribution as a retiree.) As an * Can I continue my FEHB coverage annuitant, your premiums will be withheld into retirement? in 12 monthly deductions.

When you retire, you are eligible to continue * What if my annuity is not large health benefits coverage if you meet all of enough to cover my premium? You may the following requirements: either change to a lower-cost plan or option (one in which your share of the  you are entitled to retire on premium is low enough to be withheld from an immediate annuity under your annuity) or choose to pay your a retirement system for civilian premiums directly to your retirement employees (including FERS MRA + 10 system. You can find more information at retirements); and www.opm.gov/insure/health/reference/han  you have been continuously enrolled dbook/fehb24.asp#annunsuff. (or covered as a family member) in any FEHB plan(s) for the 5 years * Can I cancel my FEHB coverage after of service immediately before the date I retire and reenroll later? If you cancel your annuity starts or for the full your FEHB enrollment as an annuitant, you period(s) of service since your first will never be able to re-enroll in FEHB. opportunity to enroll (if less than 5 However, you may suspend your FEHB years). enrollment in order to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, TRICARE or CHAMPVA, or The time you are covered under Tricare Medicaid or similar State-sponsored counts toward the 5 years as long as you program of medical assistance. (You can were covered under an FEHB enrollment at find additional information on suspending the time of your retirement. FEHB coverage at www.opm.gov/insure/retirees/index.asp?A * Can I change my FEHB enrollment at nswerId=89.) retirement? No. Retiring is not a qualifying life event (QLE); however, once * Can my family members continue you retire you can change your FEHB coverage after I die? enrollment during the annual Open Season Yes, if you are enrolled for Self and Family (held from mid-November through mid- at the time of your death, and at least one December) or when you experience a QLE. family member is entitled to an annuity as your survivor.

* What are some other important If you are an annuitant not enrolled things I should know about my FEHB under the FEHB Program and you enrollment? become reemployed in a position that extends FEHB eligibility, you may enroll If you are not enrolled in FEHB (or as a newly eligible employee. You can covered as a family member) at the time continue enrollment after separation of your retirement, you cannot enroll from reemployment if you meet the when you retire. requirements stated in the first question of this FastFact sheet. The immediate If you are enrolled in a High Deductible annuity requirement is met if you Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings receive a supplemental annuity when Account (HSA) at the time of your you separate from the reemployment. retirement, you will no longer be able to contribute to your HSA. However, your You can find additional information on plan will enroll you in a Health reemployed annuitants at Reimbursement Account (HRA) www.opm.gov/insure/health/reference/ www.opm.gov/insure/health/hsa/hra.asp. handbook/fehb25.asp.

* What happens to my FEHB * Where can I go for additional enrollment if I go back to work as a information about the FEHB reemployed annuitant? Program?  The FEHB website at If you are reemployed in the Federal www.opm.gov/insure/health/refere service 1) in a position that permits FEHB nce/handbook/fehb21.asp eligibility by an agency covered by  The OPM retirement website at premium conversion, and 2) your annuity www.opm.gov/retire/index.aspx continues, your employing office can  Contact the OPM retirement office request the retirement system to transfer at 1-888-767-6738 or email at your enrollment to them, if you want your [email protected] or by fax at 1- FEHB premiums deducted from your pay 724-794-6633 or by writing to U.S. on a pre-tax basis. This applies only if Office of Personnel Management, you want to participate in premium Office of Retirement Programs, PO conversion. When you separate from Box 45, Boyers, PA 16017 active service, your retirement system will transfer in your enrollment. However, if you cancel enrollment while reemployed, you are not eligible to re- enroll as a retiree.

Please see the Frequently Asked Questions on our website at www.opm.gov/insure/health/faq/premcon version/19.asp for more information on reemployed annuitants and premium conversion.