FERS guide
FEHB five-year rule
Learn how the FEHB five-year idea affects FERS retirement planning and what to verify before choosing a retirement date.
Short answer
The FEHB five-year rule is a retirement-planning checkpoint: many employees need FEHB coverage for the five years immediately before retirement, or from first opportunity if shorter, and must meet immediate-annuity requirements.
Last reviewed 2026-04-28
Why FEHB belongs in the retirement-date conversation
A monthly annuity estimate is only one part of retirement readiness. Health coverage timing can matter just as much as the income estimate.
That is why FERS Planner treats FEHB as a planning checklist item rather than silently assuming coverage continues.
What the calculator does not calculate
The current calculator does not decide FEHB eligibility, premiums, plan choice, or waiver questions. It helps organize retirement timing so you can ask better benefits questions.
If FEHB continuation is central to your decision, verify the coverage record before using the estimate as a separation planning anchor.
Example: a retirement date that needs a benefits review
An employee may be comfortable with their annuity estimate but still need to verify FEHB continuation before separating.
If FEHB coverage started recently, if there was a break in coverage, or if TRICARE is involved, the retirement date should be reviewed with official guidance before relying on the estimate alone.
FEHB five-year planning questions
| Question | Why it matters | What to gather |
|---|---|---|
| When did FEHB coverage start? | Coverage history can affect retirement-continuation planning. | Enrollment records and any first-opportunity details. |
| Are you retiring on an immediate annuity? | OPM life-event guidance connects FEHB continuation with qualifying immediate-annuity retirement. | Retirement path, annuity start date, and HR confirmation. |
| Were there breaks or other coverage? | Breaks, family coverage, or TRICARE may need careful review. | Coverage dates and official benefits-office guidance. |
Sources
This page is educational. FEHB continuation is high impact and should be confirmed with official guidance before separation.