Early retirement... What to do for health insurance?

[thickage]

Honestly, I'd retire at 55 if I could.

In lieu of that unrealistic-ness, I would like to shoot for 62 (I'm 50 now) since that's when I'm eligible for SS.

Problem is that Medicare is for youngsters 65+...

So what is everyone's plan for health insurance coverage from early retirement until Medicare eligibility?

 

[Valkyrie]

you get to keep your health and life insurance if u had them five yrs before u retire. u can still change health during open season. at 65, it then becomes secondary to medicare. your HR should tell u all of this.

 

[Bullitt]

I was in a retirement seminar once and this guy found out he needed health insurance for five years prior to retiring in order to keep it in retirement. He was planning on going in 1-2 years until he heard that.

 

[Buffalo_Nickle]

Yep,
if your a newly wed around retirement time, your brand new wife has to be included on your FEHP for a minimum of 5yrs as well is my understanding, for her to be eligible for coverage with FEHP.

 

[ALRetiree]

It’s only the employee for spouses. My wife has been on my insurance in time for five years but when she went to switch I checked and she didn’t need to be on five years as long as I was. Unless it’s a thing for a new spouse?

 

[nasa1974]

You really should maintain your FEHB going into retirement. It really is a good benefit. It's not cheap but you have more flexibility to move from one provider to another once a year even in retirement. The other nice thing is you can suspend your FEHB (DO NOT STOP) and restart it back up at a later date. Example; you become eligible for Medicare and you find a supplemental benefit cheaper. You can try that for awhile and if it doesn't work out the following year you can pick up FEHB during open season.