fbpx

Long Term Care Insurance – Future Purchase Option

Posted on Friday, 12th December 2025 by

Print This Post Print This Post
Share

My wife and I enrolled in the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program’s Future Purchase Option when it was first offered in the early 2000s. Our monthly premium for Mary was $35.59, and I was paying $37.98 for 5 years of coverage with a maximum lifetime benefit of $228,125. The daily benefit amount was $125.

When I first enrolled in this program, I knew the insurance amount wouldn’t cover the entire cost of our care, or that we might need coverage for the entire benefit period. However, it would cover about 60-70 percent, and we would cover the remainder with savings.




Long Term Care Basics

Long-term care insurance kicks in when an individual is no longer able to perform at least two of the six Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) or has a severe cognitive impairment. There is typically a waiting period, known as an elimination period, which can range from 30 to 90 days or more.

The ADLs are as follows:

  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Eating
  • Toileting
  • Transferring (e.g., moving from a bed to a chair)
  • Continence

Long-term care also includes the supervision you might require due to a severe cognitive impairment, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Your doctor must certify that long-term care is medically necessary.

Inside the Genesis Mission: 
America’s Bold Plan to Win the AI and Quantum Future

The Future Purchase Option

This option was the lowest cost for us at the time and allowed us to increase our coverage periodically without undergoing medical underwriting.  Every two years, we received offers to expand our coverage, and we agreed to the premium and coverage increases until the offer we received last month.

Our benefit period was reduced from 5 to 3 years over the years, and premiums have increased substantially since we first signed up. In the last offer we received, my monthly premium increased from $163.06 to $ 193.59, with a corresponding increase in the maximum lifetime benefit from $260,434 to $277,779. Mary’s monthly premium increased from $153.23 to $184.54 with the same corresponding maximum lifetime benefit.

We declined the offer, and our premiums and coverage will remain at the current level for another two years. The increase of approximately $30 each, or $720 a year, for the two of us seemed high for a $17,000 increase in total lifetime benefits and only a $16-a-day benefit increase.  Our daily benefit amount will remain at $237.84 or $7,135 per month.

Opting Out of a Future Price Offer (FPO)

We selected Option 2 to decline the FPO increase. With this option, your premium, daily benefit amount, maximum lifetime benefit, and benefits remain the same for the next two years. If you decline a total of three FPO offers, you must provide evidence of your good health by completing a full underwriting application to receive future FPO offers.

At our age, my wife and I didn’t feel their offer was worth the additional costs. In two years, we will receive another offer and two years after that a third. We can take advantage of future coverage increases if desired or remain at the current levels and premiums for the remainder of our lives.

If you agree to the additional coverage, you do nothing, and the increases will take effect on January 1, 2026. To decline, you must submit the 2026 Future Purchase Option Selection Form, fill in the oval for option 2 to decline the offer, sign the form, and send it to the FLTCIP offices in Portsmouth, NH.

Final Words

Many private insurers canceled their long-term care programs due to rising healthcare costs across the board. The premiums we are paying are only as low as they are because we signed up in 2002 when the program first started, and we didn’t opt into the higher coverage options. The younger you are, the lower your long-term care premiums will be, so it’s best to sign up while in your mid-career or earlier.

That being said, when we add up all the insurance premiums we pay for literally everything, insurance costs are one area where we can realize significant savings by shopping around. We recently received three homeowner’s insurance quotes in another state. The cost for comparable coverage from three providers ranged from $545 a year to close to $3,000! It does pay to shop around.

Helpful Retirement Planning Tools




Disclaimer: The information provided may not cover all aspects of unique or special circumstances.  Federal regulations, medical procedures, investment information, and benefit details are subject to change. To ensure the accuracy of this information, contact relevant parties for assistance, including OPM’s retirement center. Over time, various dynamic economic factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change.

The information contained herein may not be suitable for your situation. This service is not affiliated with OPM or any federal entity. You should consult a financial, medical, or human resource professional where appropriate. Neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for any loss or other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in BENEFITS / INSURANCE, ESTATE PLANNING, FINANCE / TIP, RETIREMENT CONCERNS, SOCIAL SECURITY / MEDICARE, SURVIVOR INFORMATION, WELLNESS / HEALTH

Comments (0)| Print This Post Print This Post

Open Season Coming to a Close – Last-Minute Checkup

Posted on Tuesday, 2nd December 2025 by

Print This Post Print This Post
Share

The open season for FEHB / PSHB health care plan changes will close on December 8th, this coming Monday!  There is still time to consider a change, and the following resources will help you through the expedited process.

Review and Compare

Use my comprehensive Open Season Selection Guide, articles I published, and related resources to fast-track your research and make the selection that is best for you and your family. Many providers’ costs increased substantially last year, and over the past 4 years, our premiums have increased by an average of 40 percent!

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Roundup

Shawn McCoy, the President of Federal Employee Benefits Advocates, LLC (and an expert on Federal employee benefits), advises, “Even if you have used FSAFED in the past, you must enroll again during this year’s open season. Unlike some benefits, FSAFEDS does not automatically renew each year.” You only have until December 8th to take advantage of the attractive plan.

The FSAFEDS program allows you to save money for health and care expenses that your FEHB Plan, the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program, or other health insurance coverage does not cover.

Mr. McCoy publishes a comprehensive FSAFED guide each year that highlights the advantages, changes, and costs for federal employees to consider when opting for this plan.




Applicable Life Events

Even after this Open Season closes, everyone should be aware that you can make changes throughout the year for certain life events. There are time limits for these changes; review the article and OPM guidance to ensure your requests are submitted on time.

Throughout the year, you can change your FEHB / PSHB coverage for the following reasons:

  • When you move
  • If You Divorce
  • Marriage
  • When you reach age 65
  • When a child reaches age 26
  • The death of a spouse
  • The annuitant dies

Medicare Impact on FEHB / PHSB Plans

Review the following articles that describe the impact Medicare has on your FEHB provider payments.

Conclusion

The majority of federal employees and annuitants stay the course and are generally satisfied with their health care plans. Plans change each year subtly, and it’s essential that, at a minimum, you check Section Two of your provider guide to review those changes to ensure you will have the coverage you need in the upcoming year.

One of the changes last year was that GEHA auto-enrolled all members with Medicare as their primary provider into its Medicare Prescription Drug Program (MPDP). Essentially, all of these members were enrolled in Medicare Part D, and this took many by surprise and changed their prescription drug coverage. It took me months to withdraw from this program effectively.

Take some time to do a final review, read the sections of your provider’s guide that are of interest, and confirm that any changes meet with your approval. There are many lower-cost options to consider this year as well.

Helpful Retirement Planning Tools

Disclaimer: The information provided may not cover all aspects of unique or special circumstances.  Federal regulations, medical procedures, investment information, and benefit details are subject to change. To ensure the accuracy of this information, contact relevant parties for assistance, including OPM’s retirement center. Over time, various dynamic economic factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change.

The information contained herein may not be suitable for your situation. This service is not affiliated with OPM or any federal entity. You should consult a financial, medical, or human resource professional where appropriate. Neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for any loss or other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in BENEFITS / INSURANCE, ESTATE PLANNING, FINANCE / TIP, RETIREMENT CONCERNS, SOCIAL SECURITY / MEDICARE, SURVIVOR INFORMATION, WELLNESS / HEALTH

Comments (2)| Print This Post Print This Post

I Rolled Over My TSP Account to an IRA – Should You?

Posted on Friday, 21st November 2025 by

Print This Post Print This Post
Share

I rolled over my traditional Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) to my personal Fidelity IRA last month. The TSP was established in 1987 concurrent with the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), and I retired in 2004 under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), leaving me only 17 years to fund my TSP.

There were many factors behind the move: convenience, lower-cost investment options with Fidelity, and inheritance limitations, among others.

As a CSRS federal employee, I was limited to contributing 5% of my salary with no government match. FERS employees receive a 5% match and can contribute up to $23,500 of their salary this year, plus a $7,500 catch-up contribution for those over age 50.

Comparing 2026 Healthcare Plans to their Medicare Advantage Option

Inheritance Considerations

When an annuitant dies, the TSP establishes a Beneficiary Participant Account (BPA) in the spouse’s name if married and/or sets up a temporary account for all non-spouse beneficiaries. Temporary account holders have 90 days to either withdraw the funds or roll them over into an inherited IRA. When a beneficiary participant dies, the new beneficiary(ies) cannot continue to maintain the account in the TSP.

The TSP’s Death Benefits Guide clearly states on page 11, “Death benefit payments made from your beneficiary participant account must be paid directly to your beneficiary(ies). These payments are subject to certain tax restrictions and cannot be rolled over to an IRA or an eligible employer plan. In addition, your beneficiary(ies) will have to pay the full amount of taxes on the taxable portions of the payment in the year it is received.”

According to Code 402(c)(9) and (11), the beneficiary of a spousal BPA account is not considered a beneficiary of the employee, which is a requirement for a rollover. Beneficiaries from BPAs are subject to a 10% withholding unless the recipient elects otherwise.

FERS annuitants have considerably larger TSP accounts due to the 5 percent match and increased contribution limits. As of October 1, 2025, there were 189,836 TSP participants with account balances of $1 million or more. Hundreds of thousands more have accounts in the upper 6-figure range. Their heirs could be left with a considerable tax burden the year the annuitant’s spouse passes under the inherited BPA rules.




Simplification

This consolidation reduced the number of RMDs to track and centralized all of our retirement accounts under one roof. Plus, Fidelity doesn’t charge for any trades, and they have numerous financial planning tools available to help manage your taxable and retirement accounts.

Fidelity will also set up inherited IRAs for beneficiaries as directed by the decedent’s beneficiary designations. My wife will only need to notify our Fidelity financial advisor and send them a copy of the death certificate; they will then assist her in distributing the proceeds as designated in the beneficiary designation for that account.

Withdrawals, Transfers, and Distributions

The TSP allows participants to complete their withdrawal and transfer forms online; it’s easy to do. After signing in to your account, go to the withdrawals section and submit the required information. To avoid taxes on a transfer, send the funds to the company that you wish to set up an IRA with or to consolidate the TSP funds into an existing IRA at that firm.

If you are sending your rollover to a company for which you don’t have the contact or bank information listed in your TSP account, you must enter that information and wait 7 days before you can process the rollover.

You can’t transfer your current year’s RMD. You must elect to have the RMD sent to you with the remainder of your account forwarded to the new custodian that you select.

The 2026 FEHB & PSHB Open Season Selection Guide

Conclusion

I dislike leaving something I’ve been involved with for the past 33 years. Yet, it was inevitable and an integral part of our estate planning. The goal of estate planning is to ensure your heirs receive their due and to simplify things for those you leave behind. The fewer accounts you have, the easier it is to settle an estate.

Another significant benefit of rolling over your TSP into an IRA with a firm like Fidelity is that they offer one of the best trading platforms available. There is no charge for trading stocks, mutual funds, and ETFs, plus they offer several mutual funds with no management fees.

Purchasing mutual funds through the TSP’s Mutual Fund Window was expensive and cumbersome. Plus, when the annuitant dies, they close the holdings you have in the mutual fund window and invest it in their general funds.

Helpful Retirement Planning Tools

Disclaimer: The information provided may not cover all aspects of unique or special circumstances.  Federal regulations, medical procedures, investment information, and benefit details are subject to change. To ensure the accuracy of this information, contact relevant parties for assistance, including OPM’s retirement center. Over time, various dynamic economic factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change.

The information contained herein may not be suitable for your situation. This service is not affiliated with OPM or any federal entity. You should consult a financial, medical, or human resource professional where appropriate. Neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for any loss or other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in ANNUITIES / ELIGIBILITY, BENEFITS / INSURANCE, ESTATE PLANNING, FINANCE / TIP, RETIREMENT CONCERNS, SOCIAL SECURITY / MEDICARE, SURVIVOR INFORMATION

Comments (4)| Print This Post Print This Post

The 2026 FEHB & PSHB Open Season Selection Guide

Posted on Thursday, 6th November 2025 by

Print This Post Print This Post
Share

Open season runs from November 10th through December 8th. Tools are available to evaluate provider options, select your 2025 plan, and submit changes to OPM.

Most FEHB plans will see benefit and rate changes for the upcoming year. Some plans are dropping out of the program, and others are changing their service areas or coverage options. Review your plan carefully.

FEHB Open Season

Comparing 2026 Healthcare Plans to their Medicare Advantage (MA) Option

Discontinued Plans

There are six FEHB plans (8 options) that will not be available in 2026:

  • NALC Health Benefit Plan CDHP
  • NALC Health Benefit Plan Standard
  • Health Alliance HMO Standard
  • AvMed Health Plan HDHP
  • AvMed Health Plan Standard
  • Independent Health High
  • Blue Care Network of Michigan High
  • Priority Health High

There is one PSHB plan (two options) that will not be available in 2026:

  • GEHA Indemnity Benefit Plan Elevate Plus
  • GEHA Indemnity Benefit Plan Elevate

Participants in those plans must select a new plan during Open Season, or they’ll be automatically transitioned into a designated default plan:

  • For FEHB, the default plan is GEHA Benefit Plan-High Option.
  • For PSHB, the default plan is Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan – FEP Blue Focus.
  • In FEDVIP, the Health Partners Dental Plan will no longer be offered. Enrollees must select a new dental plan to maintain coverage in the 2026 Plan year.

Getting Started

Health, dental, and vision enrollment will automatically continue from year to year unless a participant chooses to make a change during Open Season. However, FSAFEDS requires re-enrollment each year for eligible employees who wish to continue participation in the next plan year.

With the advent of FEHB/PSHB-affiliated Medicare Advantage plans, there are many options to evaluate that may provide reduced costs for many. However, there are certain limitations with these plans that you must be aware of before enrolling.

Use the following resources to select your 2026 health care plans.




Obtain Copies of Plan Guides

   Active Employees

  • Request hard copies of desired plan brochures through your benefits coordinator. If you don’t know who that is, ask your supervisor.
  • Download plan brochures from the OPM website.
  • Request copies directly from plan providers. I typically request and receive brochures directly from GEHA and Blue Cross Blue Shield weeks before they are available on the OPM site.

   Annuitants (FEHB Retirees)

  • Sign up for FEHB Open Season Online – This site is devoted to federal annuitants. Request that healthcare plan brochures be mailed to your home address or downloaded to your computer. You must register to use this site, and annuitants can change enrollments online.
  • Download plan brochures from the OPM website.
  • Request copies directly from plan providers.

  PSHB (Employees & Annuitants)

Plan Premiums for 2026

Comparing Plans

How to Compare FEHB / PSHB Plans to their Medicare Advantage (MA) Option

Use OPM’s Health Care Comparison Tool and Consumers’ Checkbook 2026 Guide to FEHB Health Plans to find the best plan for your needs.

Checkbook’s Guide helps active and retired federal employees find a FEHB plan that meets their needs at a cost they can afford. Answering a few questions provides a personalized cost estimate for each plan, including the premium plus expected out-of-pocket costs.

For retirees, this guide provides a yearly cost estimate for every plan with Medicare Part A only and a separate estimate for plans with Medicare Parts A and B. Users can see how each plan coordinates with Medicare, the cost reduction of adding Medicare Part B, and whether the plan offers Medicare Part B premium rebates. They also reviewed FEHB Medicare Advantage plan options, which can be less expensive for many retirees.

Pre-order Checkbook’s 2026 Guide to Healthcare Plans for federal and postal employees; save 20% by entering promo code FEDRETIRE at checkout. Their Guide and OPM’s comparison tool will be available on the first day of the open season.

Additional PSHB comparison tools:

  • Active USPS employees should go to usps.gov to find the comparison tool.
  • Retired USPS employees can use KeepingPosted to find the comparison tool.

Use these excellent tools to drill down and find the plan that best suits your situation. Review individual FEHB & PSHB brochures; they provide the plan’s official benefits statement.

Changing Enrollment 




Annuitants (Retirees)

  • FEHB annuitants can change plans online at FEHB Open Season Online. The online service is easy to use, and you can track your submissions for changes.
  • PSHB annuitants can change plans online at the PSHB Open Season Online site.
  • Call Open Season Express at 1-800-332-9798.
  • Send FEHB changes through regular mail (Postmarked no later than the final date of Open Season) to:

Office of Personnel Management
Open Season Processing Center
P.O. Box 5000
Lawrence, KS 66046-0500

When sending requests by mail, clearly state your Open Season request. If you are making an enrollment change, tell OPM the plan you want, the type of coverage (Self Only, Self Plus One, or Family), and the enrollment code. You must include your annuity claim number and your Social Security number on your request. If you choose Self Plus One or Family coverage, OPM will need your dependents and other insurance information.

Federal Employees

Postal employees

Sign in to your online account at the Lite Blue USPS employee portal to manage your benefits.

Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP)

Dental and vision benefits are available to eligible Federal and Postal employees, retirees, and their eligible family members on an enrollee-pay-all basis. Enrollment occurs during the annual Federal Benefits Open Season in November and December. New and newly eligible employees can enroll within 60 days of becoming eligible.

Please register online at www.BENEFEDS.com to review and download plan brochures, use their plan comparison tool, and initiate a change or cancel enrollment. If you aren’t a registered user, sign up now. You can review your Dental, Vision, Long Term Care, and Flexible Spending accounts. Enrollees can initiate changes during the open season, when a life event changes, or cancel coverage at any time.

For enrollment/premium questions regarding dental and vision insurance, contact BENEFEDS at 1(877) 888-3337.

Medicare Impact on FEHB / PHSB Plans

Review the following articles that describe the impact Medicare has on your FEHB provider payments.

PARCO’s FREE Webinar presents 2026 FEHB / PSHB changes and helps
participants choose a plan. Sign up for their November 12th webinar at 7:00 pm (EST)

Summary

With the costs of most things rising, it’s prudent to seek ways to save. Fortunately, there are lower-cost FEHB and PSHB options to consider that offer excellent coverage.

The task can be daunting for most because of the sheer volume of material available from literally every provider. Thankfully, there are exceptional comparison tools to help us through the process.

Prescription Drug Costs – Major Price Cuts Coming

Today, there are many healthcare choices to consider; the options drive my wife and I crazy as we scrutinize everything available!  Take your time this open season to select the best healthcare plan for your family, including prescription drug coverage.

Helpful Retirement Planning Tools

Disclaimer: The information provided may not cover all aspects of unique or special circumstances.  Federal regulations, medical procedures, investment information, and benefit details are subject to change. To ensure the accuracy of this information, contact relevant parties for assistance, including OPM’s retirement center. Over time, various dynamic economic factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change.

The information contained herein may not be suitable for your situation. This service is not affiliated with OPM or any federal entity. You should consult a financial, medical, or human resource professional where appropriate. Neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for any loss or other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in ANNUITIES / ELIGIBILITY, BENEFITS / INSURANCE, ESTATE PLANNING, FINANCE / TIP, RETIREMENT CONCERNS, SOCIAL SECURITY / MEDICARE, SURVIVOR INFORMATION

Comments (0)| Print This Post Print This Post

Medicare & You 2026 – Significant Changes on the Way

Posted on Friday, 31st October 2025 by

Print This Post Print This Post
Share

This guide is worth the time and effort to review and learn about your exceptional Medicare benefits. From signing up, what Medicare covers, the various plan options to consider, and how to get help paying for your healthcare drug costs, to your rights and protections.

Every year, Medicare sends out its “Medicare & You” pamphlet to anyone on Medicare or approaching age 65. Many throw out the previous year’s edition and replace it with the new one. Actually, there is much to discover with each edition, especially as we age and require more services.

The booklet you receive is tailored to your state or territory, in my case, Pennsylvania. Coverage changes and enhancements are covered at the very beginning on page 2 with a Table of Contents on page 3, followed by an extensive Index of Topics on pages 4 through 8.

For those who haven’t received a copy you can download a PDF version.




2026 Changes

If you are covered under a Part D prescription drug plan, your yearly out-of-pocket costs will be capped at $2,100. Once you reach this limit, Medicare pays all drug copayments and coinsurance for the remainder of the year. Another helpful option will be the ability to spread your drug costs across monthly payments throughout the year if needed.

The Part D maximum deductible for Medicare Part D plans will rise to $615 in 2026, an increase of $25 from the previous year. Beneficiaries will be responsible for all out-of-pocket costs until they meet the deductible.

Medicare is expanding its efforts to negotiate drug prices, resulting in lower costs for certain high-cost medications. Additionally, drug manufacturers will be responsible for covering these additional expenses, which will reduce prices at the pharmacy.

All adult vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will be covered under Part D with no deductible or cost-sharing, enhancing access to preventive care.

Postal Service employees, retirees, and their families will get coverage through the new PSHB program. Twenty percent of the original FEHB enrollees transitioned to this new system during the last open season. Postal employees who retire on or after January 1, 2025, and are under 64, are required to enroll in Medicare Part B when they become entitled to Medicare Part A (typically at age 65) to remain enrolled in a PSHB plan.

Traditional Medicare is implementing prior authorizations in six states in 2026, including:

  • New Jersey
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Texas
  • Arizona
  • Washington

This initiative is designed to reduce wasteful spending and to find ways to provide improved and expedited prior authorization processes. Unnecessary and or inappropriate care should be minimized through this effort.

The Long & Short of It

This guide is a wealth of information, easy to read and follow. Before signing up for Medicare, most people are unaware of the differences between Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage (MA), and Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap). This guide explains the differences in detail.

It isn’t only for those just signing up for coverage; many change from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage or Supplement plans to reduce costs and/or improve coverage. Others, after making a change, end up moving back to Original Medicare if the coverage and cost savings they thought they were getting don’t materialize. It’s a two-way street fraught with anxiety if not prepared.

The “At a Glance” section starting on page 11 compares Original Medicare (Parts A & B) to Medicare Advantage (Part C) side-by-side. It’s straightforward, to the point, and highlights the significant differences between the two. If you’re considering moving to an MA plan, this is definitely a must-read. Medicare Supplement plans are covered in Section 5.

Section 11 compares non-FEHB health and drug plans in your area. It starts on page 119 and includes over 50 pages, and this doesn’t include Medigap offerings in your state! They remind everyone at the beginning of this section that you can’t buy a Medigap policy while you’re in an MA plan.

Federal employees and annuitants who wish to remain in the FEHB or PSHB program must review the FEHB or PSHB plan brochures to determine the available MA and MPDP plans associated with the carriers.

Twists and Turns

Medicare asks for your help to protect our benefits from fraud and medical identity theft. They suggest checking each Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) you receive, and your receipts and statements, for errors or services you didn’t get.

This happened to me in 2023. Someone ordered men’s catheters using my account number, charging Medicare close to $3,000 a month. I reported the problem by calling the following numbers, and they issued me a new card.

If you think your Medicare Number has been used fraudulently, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048 (pages 105–106).

There are differences for those enrolled in one of the Federal Employees’ Health Benefits (FEHB) plans. For example, Section 6 in the guide covers Medicare drug coverage (Part D) and states, “you’ll likely pay a late enrollment penalty for Part D coverage if you join a plan later.”

This penalty is waived for MA plans offered by your FEHB and PSHB carriers, and it also applies when you opt for a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (MPDP) option. You will be required to pay a Part D premium if your income exceeds a certain amount, as determined by the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). This also impacts Part B premiums, which are income-adjusted as well.

When you sign up for an FEHB MA plan, you MUST stay enrolled in your FEHB plan. Most, if not all, of the FEHB MA plans have a zero premium; you are only responsible for the FEHB plan premium. These plans often offer a partial Part B premium reimbursement for you and your spouse as well.  Compare FEHB plans to their partnered MA options to understand these differences better.

Don’t risk losing your FEHB coverage. If you are considering a Medicare Supplement plan, you can’t suspend your FEHB coverage, and you won’t be able to return to the FEHB program next open season. Medicare Supplement plans (Medigap) are only offered by private insurance companies.

Helpful Retirement Planning Tools

Disclaimer: The information provided may not cover all aspects of unique or special circumstances.  Federal regulations, medical procedures, investment information, and benefit details are subject to change. To ensure the accuracy of this information, contact relevant parties for assistance, including OPM’s retirement center. Over time, various dynamic economic factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change.

The information contained herein may not be suitable for your situation. This service is not affiliated with OPM or any federal entity. You should consult a financial, medical, or human resource professional where appropriate. Neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for any loss or other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in ANNUITIES / ELIGIBILITY, BENEFITS / INSURANCE, ESTATE PLANNING, FINANCE / TIP, SOCIAL SECURITY / MEDICARE, SURVIVOR INFORMATION, WELLNESS / HEALTH

Comments (4)| Print This Post Print This Post

A 30-second Check Could Change Your Retirement Plan

Posted on Monday, 20th October 2025 by

Print This Post Print This Post
Share

Taking this 30-second check will help you navigate the often-complex federal retirement system. PARCO’s easy-to-use, free platform enables all Federal Employees (FERS, CSRS, Special FERS, and FSPS) to view their benefits and optimize their federal retirement. PARCO’s Free Platform is used by thousands of FERS and CSRS employees across the country and around the world.

 

 

PARCO’s team is comprised of the federal retirement experts who will help you maximize your pension and the benefits that accompany retirement. Their platform guides you step-by-step through the process. Federal employees complete their online profile, and PARCO evaluates where they are and what they may need to do to achieve their retirement goals. They put you in touch with specialists who can address your concerns and recommend a personalized path to keep you on track.

Register and give them a try, it only takes 30-seconds to sign up.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in ANNUITIES / ELIGIBILITY, BENEFITS / INSURANCE, EMPLOYMENT OPTIONS, ESTATE PLANNING, FINANCE / TIP, RETIREMENT CONCERNS, SOCIAL SECURITY / MEDICARE, SURVIVOR INFORMATION

Comments (0)| Print This Post Print This Post

Prescription Drug Costs – Major Price Cuts Coming

Posted on Friday, 17th October 2025 by

Print This Post Print This Post
Share

The President recently announced three agreements with Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and EMD Serono to reduce American drug prices dramatically. These prices are in line with the lowest prescription drug prices in other developed nations (known as the most-favored-nation, or MFN, price).

EMD Serono’s cost reductions for its fertility drugs will result in substantial savings on fertility treatments.




AstraZeneca Drugs

AstraZeneca medicines treat nine million American patients, and they will benefit from the successful negotiation to lower prices. The millions of Americans who suffer from asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) could benefit from these price reductions.

AstraZeneca Drug Cost Reductions:

  • Bevespi Aerosphere, an inhaler used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), will be made available to patients purchasing directly at a significantly discounted price.
  • Breztri Aerosphere, an inhaler used to treat COPD, will be made available to patients purchasing directly at a discount equal to 98% of the deal price.
  • Airsupra, an inhaler used to treat asthma symptoms and attacks, will be made available to patients purchasing directly at a discount equal to 96% of the deal price.

Pfizer Drugs

Americans will realize tangible cost savings in the healthcare system as a whole. Taken together, more than 100 million patients are impacted by the diseases Pfizer’s medicines treat, and many of those will benefit from the President’s successful negotiation of lower prices for Americans.

Drug Cost Reductions:

  • Eucrisa, a topical ointment for atopic dermatitis, will be made available at an 80% discount to patients purchasing directly.
  • Xeljanz, a widely used oral medication for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ulcerative colitis, will be available at a 40% discount to patients purchasing directly.
  • Zavzpret, a commonly utilized treatment for migraines, will be sold directly to patients at a 50% discount.

OPM Releases 2026 FEHB / PSHB Premiums

EMD Serono

This agreement is with one of the world’s leading manufacturers of fertility medications. Significant price reductions are now available for the following drugs:

Drug Cost Reductions:

  • GONAL-F, a commonly used fertility medication, will be made available to women purchasing directly from TrumpRx.gov at a significant discount.
  • Low- and middle-income women will receive an additional discount price when purchasing from TrumpRx.gov.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimates that women can save up to $2,200 per cycle of fertility drugs as a result of this deal on drugs that often cost over $5,000. Fertility drugs represent almost 20% of the total cost of a fertility treatment cycle.

The agreement also provides that EMD Serono will offer other medicines at a deep discount when selling directly to American patients, guarantee MFN prices on all new innovative drugs that come to market, and provide every State Medicaid program in the country access to MFN drug prices on EMD Serono products.

EMD Serono will invest in manufacturing in the United States, including manufacturing IVF drugs here for the first time, on the timelines agreed to in the deal.

Pricing Impact

The agreement will provide every State Medicaid program in the country access to MFN drug prices on these drugs, resulting in many millions of dollars in savings and strengthening the program for the most vulnerable.

The agreement requires all three companies to offer medicines at a deep discount off the list price when selling directly to American patients.

Additional Benefits

AstraZeneca announced that it will invest $50 billion in U.S. manufacturing and research and development by 2030. The company is building a new facility in Charlottesville, Virginia, which will produce advanced pharmaceutical ingredients to support its chronic disease and oncology pipelines.  The Virginia facility is projected to create 3,600 highly skilled jobs.

Final Note

It’s about time someone addressed the disparity between the cost of drugs overseas and in Canada compared to what we were paying in America! These bold actions are working and should result in reduced health care costs across the board, as the administration continues its push to reduce costs wherever possible.

More agreements are forthcoming, and overall, we should all realize significant savings on prescription drugs as these initiatives are launched.

Helpful Retirement Planning Tools

Disclaimer: The information provided may not cover all aspects of unique or special circumstances.  Federal regulations, medical procedures, investment information, and benefit details are subject to change. To ensure the accuracy of this information, contact relevant parties for assistance, including OPM’s retirement center. Over time, various dynamic economic factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change.

The information contained herein may not be suitable for your situation. This service is not affiliated with OPM or any federal entity. You should consult a financial, medical, or human resource professional where appropriate. Neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for any loss or other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in BENEFITS / INSURANCE, RETIREMENT CONCERNS, SOCIAL SECURITY / MEDICARE, SURVIVOR INFORMATION, UNCATEGORIZED, WELLNESS / HEALTH

Comments (2)| Print This Post Print This Post

Government Shutdown Continues – Suffering the Consequences

Posted on Wednesday, 15th October 2025 by

Print This Post Print This Post
Share

After nine votes, the Senate has not been able to pass a clean spending bill, even though three Senators crossed party lines to support the bill. Six more are needed to meet the 60-vote threshold.

Many are reporting that this shutdown could exceed the 35-day shutdown of 2019! This political brinkmanship must stop; too many suffer the consequences of this stalemate. A “clean” spending bill extends existing appropriations without adding new policy changes or controversial measures. Both parties have agreed to this many times before.




Budgeting Process Sidestepped

Congress has rarely passed the 12 annual appropriations bills in time for the start of the fiscal year. Instead, funding has been acquired through temporary “clean” continuing resolutions (CRs) or bundled “omnibus” and “minibus” packages that often include policy riders.

Stop the Insanity

The House and Senate should be held accountable and not allowed to adjourn until they do their job and pass all twelve major funding bills. We all suffer from their negligence and inaction. All bills should be clean and include essential funding, not riders that benefit one party or the other.

Separate bills should be presented to cover policy riders and other funding. Both parties use the 12 appropriation bills to push through pork for their supporters to garner votes for the next election cycle or to sponsor programs that otherwise wouldn’t make it through Congress’s scrutiny.

Basically, anything other than a clean bill is loaded with pork and unnecessary special interest spending that is bankrupting our country. We are borrowing 40% or more of what we spend each year, which is unsustainable.

2026 FEHB / PSHB Spiraling Health Care Premiums Announced!

Call Your Representatives

Let your Congressman and Senators know how you feel about this issue. Here are links to the phone numbers and email addresses for both houses.

Helpful Retirement Planning Tools

Disclaimer: The information provided may not cover all aspects of unique or special circumstances.  Federal regulations, medical procedures, investment information, and benefit details are subject to change. To ensure the accuracy of this information, contact relevant parties for assistance, including OPM’s retirement center. Over time, various dynamic economic factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change.

The information contained herein may not be suitable for your situation. This service is not affiliated with OPM or any federal entity. You should consult a financial, medical, or human resource professional where appropriate. Neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for any loss or other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in ANNUITIES / ELIGIBILITY, BENEFITS / INSURANCE, FINANCE / TIP, RETIREMENT CONCERNS, SOCIAL SECURITY / MEDICARE, SURVIVOR INFORMATION

Comments (0)| Print This Post Print This Post

Terms Of Use