Can I stop paying my spouse’s FEHB premiums?

Reg Jones is the go-to source for information about retirement and the federal government. He worked as an assistant director for the U.S. Office of Personnel Management from 1979 to 1995, covering topics such as retirement, insurance, retirement, and wages for white- and blue-collar workers. His opinions are his own.

The following is a reader question regarding retirement and other concerns affecting the federal worker that was sent to Federal Times. Reg Jones, a founding member of the senior executive service and a columnist for the Federal Times since 1995.

Question

My health insurance includes a plus-one plan covering my husband. I’m retired now. If it matters at all, he will soon become eligible for Medicare. If he chooses to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, can I terminate his FEHB coverage? (I’d like to keep the option open for him to join an FEHB plan eventually. How do I suspend my spouse from the FEHB if I can?

Reg’s Reaction

While you cannot cancel his insurance, you may, during any FEHB Open Season, change your membership from Self Plus One to Self Only. If you decide to add him back to your enrolment for any reason, you can do so by switching from Self Only to Self Plus One during any next Open Season.

Contact Information:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 7705402211

Bio:
Mack Hales has spent the past 4 decades helping clients prepare for retirement and manage their finances successfully. He also works with strategies that help clients put away much more money for their retirement than they could in an IRA or even a 401k. We involve the client’s CPA and/or their tax attorney to be sure the programs meet the proper tax codes.

Mack works with Federal Employees to help them establish the right path before and after retirement. The goal is to help the client retire worry-free with as much tax-free income as possible and no worries about money at risk of market loss during retirement.
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Mack has resided in Gainesville, GA since 1983, so this is considered home. Mack is married to his wife of 51 years, has two boys and five grandchildren.