You are eligible to continue dental and/or vision coverage when you retire if you retire on an immediate annuity or for disability under the Civil Service Retirement System or Federal Employees Retirement System. There is no “5-year rule" for continuing dental and/or vision coverage into retirement as there is in the Federal Employees Health Benefits or the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance programs.
The cost of your dental/vision insurance after you retire is the same as for an active Federal employee, except your premiums are paid monthly rather than biweekly. The premiums are withheld from your retirement annuity on an after-tax basis. You may also pay your premiums by direct bill or automatic bank withdrawal if your annuity is insufficient to cover the premiums.
After you retire, you can elect dental and/or vision insurance or make changes to your current coverage during the Benefits Open Season (begins the Monday of the second full work week in November and continues through the Monday of the second full work week in December) or in conjunction with a qualifying life event. You will make enrollment changes directly with BENEFEDS. Retirement is not a qualifying life event that allows you to change or cancel your dental and/or vision enrollment.
Survivors of a deceased Federal employee or annuitant who receive an annuity may enroll in dental and/or vision insurance or continue an existing enrollment.