Benefits Newsletter: March, 2022

Later this year, the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board will be introducing new TSP features to make your TSP experience better. You’ll have more flexibility in how you access My Account, more options to contact TSP representatives if you need help, and even more transactions you can easily and securely complete online.

Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) is available to the following individuals:

The Spouse Equity provisions of law allows the former spouse of a Federal employee or annuitant to enroll in The Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program if he or she:

If you are covered by the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or CSRS-Offset, your spouse is entitled to a survivor annuity provided you have at least 18 months of civilian service and you were married for at least 9 months. The 9-month requirement does not apply if your death is accidental or if there is a child born of the marriage. Generally, your spouse is entitled to 55% of your earned annuity based on your length of service and high-three salary at the time of your death.

If you are entitled to Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) at age 65, you should enroll, even if you are still working. This may help cover some of the costs that your Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) plan may not cover, such as deductibles, coinsurance, and charges that exceed the plan's allowable charges.There is no premium for Part A. The Medicare taxes you pay while working entitles you to Part A.

When An Employee Enters Leave Without Pay (LWOP) Status

For information (CSRS and FERS) on what happens to your benefits upon separation, visit the OHR Retirement & Employee Benefits Branch’s website.

To be eligible to continue your health benefits enrollment into retirement, you must: (1) have retired on an immediate annuity (that is, an annuity which begins to accrue no later than one month after the date of your final separation); and (2) have been continuously enrolled (or covered as a family member) in any FEHB Program plan (not necessarily the same plan) for the five years of service immediately preceding retirement, or if less than five years, for all service since your first opportunity to enroll.