Retirement Help

[Maricar19]

Hello TSPTalkers,

I need help for a friend who is retiring this April.
Facts:
1. He is 68 years old, married and wife is 48 years old.
2. He would have 19+ years of postal service by April 2022.
3. He has plus one Blue Cross Blue Shield FEHB
4. He is giving his wife the maximum survivor annuity allowed (50%).
5. Form RI 79-9, Option E, says that he can suspend his FEHB if he is enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan in addition to Medicare Parts A and B.

Questions:
1. How can he suspend his FEHB using #5 above without affecting his wife’s current and future eligibility to enroll in FEHB?
2. Currently, he is on a plus one FEHB, if he suspends his FEHB in favor of Medicare B and Advantage plan, can wife continue with FEHB as single?
3. If he cancels his FEHB and in the event that he dies, does it mean the wife cannot re-enroll with FEHB?
Note: We have emailed OPM, FERS Retirement, and Ask the Experts since February 19 and we have not received any response as of today, March 21.

I hope you can help my friend.

 

[Bullitt]

I read the answer to be yes as long as the person is an annuitant, which in this case the spouse will be. She would have to wait until open season to re-enroll if suspended.

See pages 8,9,16. I think this answers your question.
https://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/publications-forms/pamphlets/ri79-2.pdf

Also:
https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insu...family-coverage-continue-if-I-die/#url=Health

 

[Maricar19]

Thanks Bullitt for the links. Very much appreciated.

 

[Maricar19]

Any FERS retirees, 65 and over, who opted to continue their FEHB instead of availing Medicare B? If you opted for FEHB instead of Medicare B, any feedback?

 

[nasa1974]

Any FERS retirees, 65 and over, who opted to continue their FEHB instead of availing Medicare B? If you opted for FEHB instead of Medicare B, any feedback?

I could be wrong, but I don't think there is any difference between CSRS and FERS and having FEHB and opting out of Part B. Either you take it or you don't. If you don't and then want to get Part B you have the 10% per year penalty.
When I retired, I stayed with FEHB Blue Cross/Blue Shield. A few years ago I switched from standard coverage to basic. Basic coverage will reimburse you up to $800 for your Medicare Part B. It is a bit pricey to have both but in my opinion well worth it.
In 2021 my wife went through chemotherapy and immunotherapy. As of today, I haven't paid a dime.

 

[evilanne]

Any FERS retirees, 65 and over, who opted to continue their FEHB instead of availing Medicare B? If you opted for FEHB instead of Medicare B, any feedback?

I know of few people who did not go with Medicare Part B and happy with their decision. I think I'm leaning towards opting out when the time comes. I think it really depends on you health & risk tolerance. If you do decide to get Medicare Part B in addition to FEHB it makes sense to elect a lower cost option for FEHB since you are essentially paying for the same thing with both but FEHB will cover the 20% not covered by Medicare. I posted links to several articles in this thread https://www.tsptalk.com/mb/retireme...ld-federal-retirees-take-medicare-part-b.html but didn't get any response from those who may have opted out of Medicare Part B, it seems most people sign up because it is expected or everyone else is. I think both spouses have to be covered the 5 years prior to retirement in order to keep FEHB in retirement based on my parent's situation but that was. years ago