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Return to Article: Continued Coverage, Continued

• 47746
  

  In response to the comment on the spouse not being eligible for coverage if I have elected self only and I die. If her coverage ceases at retirement or if she looses her coverage would she then be eligible to enroll?

  Christopher Blundell Posted April 2, 2008 9:35 AM
• 47739
  

  My husband took early retirement from the federal government 3 years ago. He has been (and continues to be ) covered by my federal FEHB plan (I am still employed by the federal government). Is it too late for him to elect coverage for self and family, or did he need to elect coverage at his retirement?

  Roxanne Garland Posted April 2, 2008 8:50 AM
• 47721
  

  Ken, under FERS, you have a basic retirement, TSP, and Social Security. When you are eligible to retire, you will be entitled to the basic FERS retirement benefit as well as Social Security or the FERS Supplement. You can wait until as late as 70 1/2 to begin taking TSP withdrawals; that's your 3rd level of retirement benefits. The survivor benefit that I am referring to is elected when you retire from your FERS Basic Retirement benefit. You have the option of full or partial. You must elect at least a partial survivor benefit for your "non-federal" spouse to continue FEHB.

  Tammy Flanagan Posted April 2, 2008 5:47 AM
• 47687
  

  Thank you for your information on the following question in this week's article but I guess I am a still a little slow on the following question:

  What percentage of my retirement annuity or amount must I select in order to provide for my nonfederal surviving spouse to continue receiving health benefits after my death?

  I was not planning to take any annuity immediately on retirement, rather let the money sit and draw off of Social Security. If I understand your explanation, I must take an annuity on 25% of the value of my account and 5% for my wife. Is this correct?

  Ken D Posted April 1, 2008 2:30 PM
• 47679
  

  I am getting ready to retire in Jan'09. I currently have BL/Cross for medical coverage.I am retired from the Army and eligible for TRICARE.Would it be to my advantage to suspend this coverage and go TRICARE for life for me and my wife inregards to Medicare Part A, B and C. As the coverage BL/Cross right now costs $192 a month.

  Louis C. Ruchser Posted April 1, 2008 12:53 PM
• 47584
  

  To the reader who asked about whether his retirement pay continues to be lowered by the reduction for a survivor benefit. I asked that question at a retirement class. The answer was no but you will have to apply for the restoration to full benefit. Not for the time she was alive, only after you submit your application. One caveat: If you remarry and want to provide survivor benefit to the new spouse, you will have to pay back the restored benefit difference. In the meantime, OPM has an excellent website that includes handbooks. The one regarding retirement is at http://www.opm.gov/retire/asd/htm/hod.htm Bookmark it in your web browser so you refer to it easily.

  Steve McNeil Posted March 31, 2008 12:32 PM
• 47503
  

  How much the retirement benefit will be reduced for a partial survivor annuity of $1 for CSRS? Thank you.

  Margie S. Posted March 29, 2008 7:33 PM
• 47475
  

  To receive continuos health care benefits under FERS do you have to elect to have an annuity? If you are single, no children who can you select for survivor benefits?

  Jamie Posted March 28, 2008 5:38 PM
• 47467
  

  Ms. Flanagan - in the example you provided: if the annuity is $40,000 and retiree elects $6,000 as the base amount for survivor benefits. The retiree's annuity is reduced to $39,670.00 per year ($40,000 - $330.00) You stated $39,760.00. Could you please verify? Thank you.

  Vilma Meriwether Posted March 28, 2008 4:44 PM
• 47455
  

  Brinah - If your spouse dies and you elected a reduced annuity with a survivor's benefit, you can advise OPM of the death of the spouse and apply for a recalculated benefit. They will not automatically recalculate the benefit unless you reapply.

  Phil Flood Posted March 28, 2008 2:00 PM
• 47447
  

  My "significant other" of 14 years will be retiring from federal service soon.

  Can I be added to her health care benefits coverage after she has retired?

  Also, is it required that she pre-assign me to receive retirement benefits as a surviving spouse?

  What are the ground rules regarding the rights of domestic partners of federal employees, and where are they documented?

  Thank you for your assistance.

  Tom Posted March 28, 2008 12:26 PM
• 47426
  

  I have contacted BC/BS, HRO, still can't get a straight answer: I am CSRS my husband is FERS, I am retiring in a couple of months. I have been carrying the health insurance for self and family since 1981, I elected not to do a survior anunity. If I pass away before my husband and he has retired civil service will he have the option to pick-up the FEHBP? Or should we pick it up indiviually during the next open season. I want to make sure he can continue to have insurance coverage, without me having to take out an annuity.

  charlotte conner Posted March 28, 2008 9:37 AM
• 47421
  

  I will be 66 in November of 2009 and plan to start drawing on the social security part of my retirement. If I keep on working and paying into social security will the payment I get from social security increase any from keeping on working? Also I am on the FERS and won't collect on that till I leave the VA will that make a difference when I retire?

  Marie Posted March 28, 2008 8:53 AM
• 47413
  

  I am over 65 and still working i am on Medicare A/B and Tri Care for Life. before i retire i plan on signing up for a FEHBP to carry into retirement and then suspend it. is this possible.

  L.A. Quinton Posted March 28, 2008 8:09 AM
• 47405
  

  If I elect a survivor benefit and then, after I retire my spouse dies, will my retirement pay continue to be lowered by the deduction for a survivor benefit?

  Brinah White Posted March 28, 2008 7:19 AM