FEDVIP during active duty and retirement: Who should enroll?
FEDVIP active duty vs. retirement: see who's eligible, who isn't, and whether federal dental and vision insurance is worth it for you. Real examples inside.
·11 min read
Federal Employee Benefits Guide
Complete information on FEHB health insurance plans, FEDVIP dental and vision coverage, FEGLI life insurance, FSA, and other federal employee benefits.
Health & Benefits Articles
34 articles
FSAFEDS carryover vs grace period: How to avoid losing money
FSAFEDS carryover vs grace period: learn the 2026 rules, the $680 cap, and how to avoid losing FSA money with simple examples and a step-by-step plan.
·10 min read
FEGLI open enrollment and life events: When can you change coverage?
When can I change FEGLI? Learn why there's no yearly FEGLI open season, how qualifying life events work, and the 60-day window to increase coverage.
·11 min read
What FEGLI option do you have, and how much does it really cost?
How much does FEGLI cost? Learn FEGLI Option A B C, coverage amounts, and real pay-period costs by age, with simple examples and steps to check your own.
·10 min read
Self only or self plus family? How to pick the right FEHB tier
Self only vs self plus one FEHB: learn what each tier covers, what it costs, and how to pick the right one for your family before the deadline.
·10 min read
FEHB after divorce: Who loses coverage and what happens next
FEHB after divorce: learn who loses coverage, how TCC and spouse equity work, what a former spouse pays, and the 60-day deadlines you can't miss.
·10 min read
Adding a spouse or baby to FEHB: Deadlines and common mistakes
Learn how to add spouse to FEHB or add a newborn to FEHB. Know the 60-day deadlines, real costs, and common mistakes that can leave your family uncovered.
·11 min read
How FEHB works with Tricare for military retirees and spouses
FEHB and Tricare explained for military retirees and spouses. Learn costs, 5-year rule, and when to keep FEHB with Tricare.
·12 min read
FEHB vs Medicare at 65: What federal retirees should do
FEHB vs Medicare at 65: should federal retirees take Medicare Part B? Compare costs, examples, and smart next steps for your coverage.
·11 min read
Can you keep FEHB when you retire? The 5-year rule explained
FEHB 5 year rule explained in plain English. Learn can I keep FEHB in retirement, who qualifies, key mistakes, and how to protect coverage.
·12 min read
Annual Leave vs Sick Leave: Strategic Use for Federal Employees Near Retirement
Annual leave vs sick leave explained for federal workers. Learn federal sick leave retirement credit, payout rules, and smart retirement timing.
·11 min read
Open Season 2026: How to Choose the Best FEHB, FEDVIP, and FSA Plans
Federal open season 2026 guide: compare FEHB, FEDVIP, and FSA options, avoid costly mistakes, and choose the best plan for your needs.
·12 min read
Federal Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Free Mental Health and Counseling Benefits
Federal EAP benefits can offer free counseling federal employees use for stress, family, and money problems. Learn what’s covered and how to start.
·9 min read
Workers' Compensation for Federal Employees: How to File an OWCP Claim
Learn how an OWCP claim federal works, how to file OWCP forms, avoid mistakes, and estimate FECA benefits with real pay examples.
·11 min read
FEHB Premium Increases 2026: What Federal Employees and Retirees Will Pay
FEHB premiums 2026 are rising. See what federal employees and retirees may pay, common mistakes, and how to compare plans to lower costs.
·10 min read
Dual Military Couple: BAH, Benefits, and Retirement Planning
Dual military couple BAH explained: who gets “with dependents,” PCS and childcare tips, and dual military retirement planning with real examples.
·11 min read
Federal Employee Health Insurance (FEHB): Plans and Costs 2026
FEHB comparison guide for federal employee health benefits: FEHB plans 2026 costs, PPO vs HMO vs HDHP, family premiums, FEDVIP, and FSAs.
·13 min read
Federal Employee Leave Payout: How to Calculate Your Annual Leave Lump Sum
Federal employee leave payout explained: learn the annual leave lump sum formula, timing tips, taxes, and examples—plus a free calculator for your exact number.
·9 min read
Military Spouse Social Security Benefits: What You Need to Know
Military spouse social security explained: divorced spouse benefits, the 20/20/20 rule, TRICARE, SBP, and how remarriage can change your payments.
·10 min read
How Much Life Insurance Do Military Families Need? (SGLI vs Civilian)
Use a military life insurance calculator to compare SGLI vs term life, estimate military life insurance needs, and plan spouse coverage and VGLI.
·10 min read
State Residency Rules for Military and Federal Retirees
Clear guide to state residency and tax residency for military retirees and federal retiree households, with examples and state tax rules tips.
·12 min read
How Workers' Comp Interacts with FERS Retirement
Learn how workers comp affects FERS retirement, including OWCP interaction, disability retirement options, FEHB rules, and real dollar examples.
·13 min read
Dental and Vision in Retirement: FEDVIP Explained
Learn how FEDVIP works for federal retirees, including dental vision costs, plan comparisons, common mistakes, and simple steps to enroll.
·9 min read
Flexible Spending Accounts: What Happens When You Retire
Flexible Spending Accounts and FSA federal retirement rules explained—what happens to your FSA when you retire, with examples, mistakes, and steps.
·9 min read
FLTCIP: Understanding Federal Long-Term Care Insurance
FLTCIP explained in plain English: how federal long term care insurance works, what it costs, what it pays, and how to plan for retirement care costs.
·11 min read
FEGLI Life Insurance: Is It Worth Keeping Into Retirement?
FEGLI retirement choices can raise cost retirement fast. Learn when federal life insurance is worth keeping FEGLI, with examples and clear steps.
·12 min read
Understanding VA Healthcare Eligibility (Beyond TRICARE)
Learn VA healthcare eligibility beyond TRICARE vs VA, with real examples, costs, and steps to enroll and maximize veterans medical benefits.
·10 min read
Guard and Reserve Activation: How It Affects Your Civilian Job
Guard Reserve activation can disrupt your civilian job. Learn USERRA protections, military leave rights, pay, and health insurance options with examples.
·11 min read
VA Home Loan Benefits: Using Your Entitlement in Retirement
VA home loan eligibility in retirement explained, including VA loan entitlement rules, funding fee tips, and real examples to use your benefit wisely.
·11 min read
GI Bill Transfer Rules: What You Need to Know Before Retiring
GI Bill transfer rules explained in plain English—learn transfer eligibility, deadlines, common mistakes, and steps to transfer benefits before retiring.
·10 min read
Understanding the Federal Employee Paid Leave Act (FEPLA)
FEPLA explained in plain English: paid parental leave for federal employees, key rules, examples with dollar amounts, common mistakes, and how to apply.
·9 min read
OWCP vs Disability Retirement: Which Path Is Right for You
Clear guide to OWCP vs FERS disability retirement for federal employee disability cases, with pay examples, FEHB tips, mistakes, and next steps.
·12 min read
Transferring Between Agencies: What Happens to Your Benefits
Federal transfer between agencies explained: what happens to benefits, federal service credit, and leave transfer, plus mistakes to avoid and a checklist.
·11 min read
What Happens to Your Benefits During a Government Shutdown
Learn what happens to pay and federal benefits during a government shutdown, including furlough pay, health insurance, retirement, and steps to protect cash.
·12 min read