Open season for federal retirees is the annual window when you can change your health, dental, and vision benefits through the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program. According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the 2024 Federal Benefits Open Season ran from November 11 through December 9, 2024, giving retirees roughly four weeks to make decisions.
Many retirees miss this window and then discover they are locked into a plan that no longer fits their health needs or budget. This guide covers the key dates, plan comparison strategies, common mistakes, and how to maximize your savings during the next open season for federal retirees.
What Is Open Season for Federal Retirees?
Open season for federal retirees is the designated period when you can enroll in, change, or cancel your FEHB coverage without a qualifying life event. The OPM sets these dates each year, typically from mid-November through early December.
During this window, you can also make changes to dental and vision coverage through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP).
The FEHB program covers more than 8 million federal employees, retirees, and their families, making it one of the largest employer-sponsored health benefits programs in the country.
Retirees who miss the open season for federal retirees must wait until the following year unless they experience a qualifying life event such as marriage, divorce, or a move out of their plan's service area.
How to apply this: Mark the OPM open season dates on your calendar now and set a reminder two weeks before the window opens so you have time to compare plans.
Key Dates and Eligibility Requirements
The open season for federal retirees follows a predictable schedule, but exact dates shift slightly each year. OPM typically announces the dates in late summer or early fall. The 2024 open season ran from November 11 to December 9, 2024.
Retirees who are currently enrolled in FEHB or who were enrolled for the five years immediately preceding retirement are eligible to participate.
You must be receiving an annuity or have a deferred annuity to maintain FEHB eligibility. If you suspended your FEHB enrollment to use a spouse's plan or TRICARE, you can re-enroll during open season for federal retirees without penalty. Changes made during open season take effect on January 1 of the following year.
How to apply this: Verify your FEHB eligibility status by checking your retirement annuity statement or contacting OPM's Retirement Services before open season begins.
How to Compare FEHB Plans Effectively
Comparing plans during open season for federal retirees requires looking beyond the monthly premium. You need to evaluate the total cost, including deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximums. OPM provides a comparison tool that lets you view plan brochures, provider networks, and prescription drug formularies side by side.
Consider your actual healthcare usage from the past year. If you rarely visit the doctor, a high-deductible plan with lower premiums might save money. If you manage a chronic condition, a plan with higher premiums but lower copays could be cheaper overall.
The OPM website states that "plan brochures are the official statement of benefits" and should be your primary reference when comparing coverage.
| Factor to Compare | What to Look For | Action to Take |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly premium | Your share vs. government share | Calculate annual premium cost |
| Deductible | Amount before coverage starts | Match to your expected usage |
| Out-of-pocket max | Annual cap on your spending | Compare across 2-3 plans |
| Prescription formulary | Your medications' tier level | Check each drug's copay |
| Provider network | Your doctors are in-network | Call providers to confirm |
| Telehealth options | Virtual visit coverage | Review plan brochure details |
How to apply this: Use the OPM Plan Comparison Tool to build a side-by-side comparison of at least three plans before making a switch.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Open Season
One frequent mistake retirees make during open season for federal retirees is automatically renewing their current plan without reviewing changes. Premiums and benefits change every year. A plan that was affordable last year may have increased its premium or reduced coverage. The OPM website publishes annual premium charts and plan brochures with all changes clearly marked.
Another mistake is focusing only on the premium. A low-premium plan can cost more overall if it has a high deductible or limited network. Retirees with Medicare should also verify how their FEHB plan coordinates with Medicare Parts A and B. Some plans waive deductibles and copays when Medicare is primary, which can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs.
How to apply this: Request the updated plan brochure for your current plan and review the "Section 3: How You Get Care" and "Section 5: Benefits" changes before deciding to stay or switch.
Medicare and FEHB Coordination During Open Season
Open season for federal retirees is an ideal time to review how your FEHB plan works with Medicare. Once you turn 65, you become eligible for Medicare, and most retirees enroll in Part A (hospital insurance) at no cost.
Part B (medical insurance) carries a monthly premium, but many FEHB plans provide incentives to enroll, such as waiving deductibles and copays when Medicare is primary.
If you are enrolled in Medicare Part B, your FEHB plan typically pays secondary, covering costs Medicare does not. Some plans offer Medicare Advantage options or prescription drug coverage that coordinates with Medicare Part D. The decision to enroll in Part B depends on your specific plan and health needs.
Compare your FEHB plan's coordination rules carefully during open season for federal retirees.
How to apply this: Contact your FEHB plan's customer service and ask for a written explanation of how the plan coordinates with Medicare before making enrollment decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions About open season for federal retirees
What happens if I miss the open season for federal retirees?
If you miss the open season window, you cannot change your FEHB enrollment until the next open season unless you have a qualifying life event. Qualifying life events include marriage, divorce, birth or adoption of a child, or a change in your spouse's employment that affects their benefits. You must submit your change within 60 days of the event.
Missing open season for federal retirees can leave you locked into a plan that no longer meets your needs for up to a year.
Can I change from self-only to family coverage during open season?
Yes, open season for federal retirees is the time to switch between self-only, self-plus-one, and family enrollment types. If you got married or added a dependent during the year, you can change your enrollment type during open season without needing a qualifying life event. The new enrollment type takes effect on January 1.
You must provide documentation for any newly added family members when you submit your change.
How does open season work if I have a deferred annuity?
If you have a deferred annuity and maintained your FEHB enrollment for the five years before retirement, you can participate in open season for federal retirees when your annuity begins. You must be receiving your annuity to maintain FEHB coverage.
If you were not enrolled in FEHB for the full five years before retirement, you lose eligibility and cannot re-enroll during open season.
Do FEDVIP dental and vision plans follow the same open season dates?
Yes, FEDVIP dental and vision plans follow the same open season dates as FEHB health plans. You can enroll in, change, or cancel dental and vision coverage during the same window. FEDVIP enrollment is separate from FEHB, so you can have dental and vision coverage even if you do not have FEHB health coverage.
Premiums for FEDVIP are paid entirely by you with no government contribution.
Yes—the open season for federal retirees covers FEDVIP dental and vision plans, so you can enroll, change, or cancel in that same window.
What if I want to suspend my FEHB coverage during open season?
You can suspend your FEHB enrollment during open season for federal retirees if you are enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan, TRICARE, or a spouse's non-federal health plan. Suspension allows you to re-enroll later without losing eligibility. To suspend, you must submit the proper form to OPM during open season.
You cannot suspend FEHB to enroll in another FEHB plan; suspension is only for non-FEHB coverage.
Key Takeaways and Next Steps
- Open season for federal retirees is your annual opportunity to adjust FEHB, FEDVIP, and Medicare coordination without a qualifying life event
- Compare total costs, not just premiums, using the OPM plan comparison tools and updated plan brochures
- Review your plan's changes every year, even if you plan to stay with the same insurer
- Coordinate FEHB with Medicare carefully to avoid paying more than necessary for healthcare
Your next step is to download the current plan brochures for your top three options and schedule time to compare them before the next open season for federal retirees begins. Set a calendar reminder for early October so you have at least four weeks to research and decide.
