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By Tammy Flanagan National Institute of Transition Planning February 16, 2007
  • 21333

    Tammy,

    Thank you, as always, for these informative articles. We all really appreciate them, but you never answered my question.

    My wife can retire in 5 years as a CSRS with 30 years. I'm a FERS with TRICARE Prime (retired soldier) and we are trying to figure out the best way to go. She has significant health issues and the uncertain future of TRICARE (costs, entitlements, etc) makes it time to start considering if we should pickup the FEHBP now, later, or never.

    As further input, she is a GS-9 and I'm an 11. I hit my MRA at the same time as her, but reach full retirement eligibility in 11 years. We have the ability to wait and may regardless, but ... I'm concerned for her should something happen to me.

    We've been told that TRICARE qualifies as a FEHBP and, since we've been in it for the past 13 years, that we could switch over to the other at any time. Could you address this issue?

    Thanks!

    Tip off

    GovExec.com reader Posted February 23, 2007 10:32 AM
  • 21303

    Great article. I actually learned something from it. One suggestion, though, when doing these types of examples, how about using salary examples that are realistic. The majority of folks don't make $80,000 a year, at least not here. I don't know what these folks do that you're writing about, but they aren't the average DoD civil servant. Thanks again for great article.

    GovExec.com reader Posted February 22, 2007 10:44 AM
  • 21276

    Does TRICARE qualify as a FEHBP?

    Tip off

    GovExec.com reader Posted February 21, 2007 8:06 AM
  • 21270

    Richard, as you are aware, an early out offer is full of opportunity for an eligible FERS employee. I did write about this in one my columns published last year. If you look back through the retirement planning articles, it was back in May, 2006, and it was called, The Early Way Out. I'm sorry I can't provide a more personal response at this time; I hope you can find something useful in the article.

    Tammy Flanagan Posted February 20, 2007 7:35 PM
  • 21251

    With the emphasis on reducing the size of government, there are more opportunities than ever for feds to retire under a VERA/VSIP and work outside government. I am a FERS employee, and this is one area you haven't addressed in any columns I've seen yet. I've been offered retirement at the end of this month and I jumped on the opportunity. Could you please provide advice on the pitfalls, and give recommendations for someone in my situation. I have eight years of military service and I paid in for those years of creditable service as a civil servant. Consequently SCD has been adjusted to February 1981. I am still in the AF Reserves. Time is short so a call is much appreciated. My cell: 937-626-5111. Thanks for your great help and information.

    Richard Rovinsky Posted February 20, 2007 10:18 AM
  • 21204

    The new hires get the benefits. Guys like me (27 years) get the shaft. Congress wiped out most of the benefits that I earned (partly in the military while others hide) and was eligible for.

    GovExec.com reader Posted February 16, 2007 9:10 AM

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