FEDVIP Dental and Vision Guide 2026
Compare all 11 dental and 5 vision FEDVIP plans for 2026. Premiums, coverage tiers, and the retiree tax trap most federal employees never see coming.
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FEDVIP Dental and Vision Guide 2026
Last Updated: March 31, 2026
Your FEHB plan covers your health. FEDVIP covers your teeth and eyes. Most federal employees treat it as an afterthought during Open Season, then regret it after a crown or a new pair of glasses.
Here is what FEDVIP actually covers in 2026, how all 11 dental plans and 5 vision plans compare, and the tax difference between active employees and retirees that changes the math significantly.
Key Takeaways
- FEDVIP has 11 dental carriers and 5 vision carriers in 2026 (HealthPartners Dental was dropped; former enrollees must choose a new plan)
- Active employees pay FEDVIP premiums pre-tax (mandatory, no opt-out), saving 20 to 33 percent on real cost; retirees pay post-tax
- There is no five-year rule for FEDVIP. You can enroll for the first time after retiring, unlike FEHB
- No waiting periods on any service, including crowns, implants, and orthodontia
- Deferred annuitants lose FEDVIP eligibility entirely. This is one of the most overlooked retirement planning gaps
What Is FEDVIP?
The Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) is a voluntary supplemental insurance program administered by BENEFEDS, a program office under OPM. It lets eligible federal employees, retirees, and certain uniformed service members buy dental and vision coverage through a group purchasing arrangement.
Two things separate FEDVIP from commercial dental and vision plans. First, OPM negotiates on behalf of millions of eligibles, which drives group rates lower than you could get on the individual market. Second, there are no pre-existing condition limitations and no waiting periods on any service, including crowns, implants, root canals, and orthodontia. Most commercial dental plans impose a 12-month waiting period on major services.
FEDVIP is separate from FEHB. You can have one without the other. Enrollment, premium billing, and plan changes all go through benefeds.gov or 1-877-888-3337.
What FEDVIP does not provide: A government contribution. Unlike FEHB, where the government pays approximately 72 percent of the program-wide weighted average premium, FEDVIP enrollees pay 100 percent of the premium themselves. You are buying group-rate coverage, not subsidized coverage.
Who Can Enroll
Active Federal Employees
You are eligible if you are eligible to enroll in FEHB. You do not have to actually be enrolled in FEHB, just eligible. This covers full-time and part-time permanent federal employees and U.S. Postal Service workers.
Not eligible: per diem (intermittent) employees, FEHB Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) enrollees, employees transferred to international organizations, and tribal employees.
Federal Retirees and Annuitants
You are eligible if you retired on an immediate annuity under CSRS, FERS, or another federal retirement system, or on a disability annuity. MRA+10 postponed annuities qualify once annuity payments begin.
The critical distinction: deferred annuitants are not eligible. If you left federal service before your Minimum Retirement Age and chose a deferred retirement (not a postponed one), your FEDVIP coverage ends at separation. Deferred annuitants never regain eligibility. See the First Year Federal Retirement Guide for more on the annuity types.
Survivor Annuitants and Military-Connected Enrollees
If you are a survivor receiving a survivor annuity, you can enroll or continue existing coverage. Retired members of the uniformed services and their families are eligible for FEDVIP dental. Military retirees are also eligible for FEDVIP vision if enrolled in a TRICARE health plan.
One important note for military retirees: the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP) ended December 31, 2018. Military retirees must use FEDVIP for dental coverage. There is no TRICARE dental option for retired service members.
2026 Dental Plan Options
For 2026, 11 dental carriers participate in FEDVIP. HealthPartners Dental was dropped from the program effective January 1, 2026. If you were enrolled in HealthPartners Dental, you must select a new plan.
2026 Dental Carriers: Aetna Dental, BCBS FEP Dental, Delta Dental, Dominion National, GEHA Dental, Humana Dental Advantage, MetLife Dental, Triple-S Salud (Puerto Rico, High option only), United Concordia (UCCI), UnitedHealthcare Dental, Washington Dental Service (regional).
Standard vs. High Option
Every carrier (except Triple-S Salud) offers two plan tiers. Here is how they compare:
| Feature | Standard Option | High Option |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly premium | Lower (roughly half) | Higher |
| In-network deductible | $0 on most plans | $0 |
| Out-of-network deductible | $50 to $100 per person | $0 to $50 |
| Preventive care (Class A) | 100% in-network | 100% in-network |
| Basic restorations (Class B) | 55 to 65% in-network | 70 to 80% in-network |
| Major services (Class C) | 35 to 50% in-network | 50 to 70% in-network |
| Annual maximum in-network | $1,500 to $2,000 | Unlimited on most plans |
| Orthodontia — children | Yes on most plans | Yes |
| Orthodontia — adults | No on most plans | Yes on most plans |
| Adult ortho lifetime max | Not applicable | $2,000 to $3,500 |
2026 Dental Premium Ranges
Dental premiums vary by geographic rating area. The ranges below reflect national averages.
| Coverage Tier | Standard Option | High Option |
|---|---|---|
| Self Only | $18 to $32/month | $35 to $59/month |
| Self Plus One | $36 to $64/month | $70 to $118/month |
| Self and Family | $54 to $96/month | $105 to $177/month |
Sample National Capital Region Self Plus One Rates:
| Plan | Standard | High |
|---|---|---|
| Dominion National | $32.33 | $47.28 |
| Aetna | ~$42 | ~$68 |
| GEHA | ~$43 | ~$72 |
| MetLife | ~$48 | ~$78 |
| Delta Dental | ~$55 | $118.30 |
| UnitedHealthcare | $66.76 | ~$100 |
2026 Dental Premium Increases by Carrier
Average dental premium increase across all plans was 3.35% for 2026, well below FEHB's 12.3% average increase. Individual carrier increases varied:
| Carrier | Standard Increase | High Increase |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | +11.0% | +7.9% |
| Dominion National | +9.6% | +9.6% |
| United Concordia | +7.7% | +4.2% |
| GEHA | +6.7% | +5.9% |
| Humana | +6.7% | +3.0% |
| Aetna | +5.4% | +1.8% |
| Delta Dental | +3.9% | +0.6% |
| BCBS FEP | +2.9% | +2.9% |
| MetLife | +1.9% | +0.9% |
Plan-by-Plan Highlights
Delta Dental 2026
Self Only premiums: $31.74/month Standard, $59.15/month High. Annual maximum: $1,500 in-network (Standard) / Unlimited in-network (High). Major services covered at 35% in-network on Standard, 50% on High. Adult orthodontia available on High option with a $2,000 lifetime maximum. Out-of-network deductible: $75 Standard / $50 High.
GEHA Dental 2026
Standard includes 2 cleanings per year and a $2,500 annual maximum in-network. High upgrades to 3 cleanings per year for adults and an unlimited in-network annual maximum. Both options cover adult and child orthodontia with no waiting period and access to 450,000+ providers. Implants are covered but capped at $2,500 per person per year. Biweekly premiums start at $10.82 (Standard) and $18.97 (High), varying by region.
MetLife Dental 2026
Self Only: $2,000 annual maximum on Standard / Unlimited on High. Network of 509,000+ providers nationwide. Adult orthodontia lifetime maximum: $3,000 (High), $1,500 (Standard). Out-of-network deductible: $100 Standard / $50 High.
Aetna Dental 2026
High option carries an unlimited in-network annual maximum. Standard caps at $1,500. Both plans cover orthodontia for all ages with a $2,000 lifetime maximum and include Invisalign coverage. No in-network deductible on either plan. Network matches MetLife at 509,000+ providers.
A Note on Implant Coverage
No FEDVIP plan offers unlimited implant coverage, even on High option plans with unlimited annual maximums. Implants are separately capped at $2,500 per person per year on virtually all plans. That cap applies regardless of the annual maximum. Factor this in if you are planning significant implant work.
2026 Vision Plan Options
Five carriers offer FEDVIP vision plans in 2026: Aetna Vision Preferred, BCBS FEP Vision, MetLife Federal Vision Plan, UnitedHealthcare Vision Plan, and VSP Vision Care.
Vision premiums are the same nationwide. There are no geographic rating areas for vision plans.
2026 Vision Premium Ranges
| Coverage Tier | Standard Option | High Option |
|---|---|---|
| Self Only | $6 to $9/month | $10 to $15/month |
| Self Plus One | $13.72 to $16.21/month | $23.94 to $29.16/month |
| Self and Family | ~$21 to $25/month | ~$37 to $46/month |
2026 Vision Premium Changes
Vision premiums were the most stable of any federal benefit in 2026. Three of five carriers held premiums flat:
| Carrier | Standard Increase | High Increase |
|---|---|---|
| MetLife Vision | +10.0% | +8.0% |
| UnitedHealthcare Vision | +3.1% | +1.4% |
| Aetna Vision | 0% | 0% |
| BCBS FEP Vision | 0% | 0% |
| VSP Vision Care | 0% | 0% |
Plan-by-Plan Highlights
Aetna Vision Preferred 2026
Premiums: Standard Self Only $6.87/month, High Self Only $12.31/month, Self Plus One Standard $13.72/month, High $24.57/month. High option includes a $300 frames allowance plus 20% off amounts over the allowance, $0 standard progressive lens copay, and $170 contact lens allowance. Network includes 187,000 providers including LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, and Target Optical.
MetLife Federal Vision 2026
High option: $200 to $250 frames allowance depending on brand, $0 frames copay. LASIK discount: 15% average off regular price or 5% off promotional pricing. Out-of-network reimbursement: $45 for exam, $70 for frames, $45 to $125 for lenses.
BCBS FEP Vision 2026
High option covers one pair of eyeglass frames and lenses per year at $0. Standard option: $10 copay for one pair per year. Both options held premiums flat for 2026.
VSP Vision Care 2026
Members save an average of $566 per year (Standard) or $714 per year (High) at network locations. Extra $50 to spend on featured frame brands at most in-network locations or any frame at Visionworks or Eyemart Express. LASIK discount: 15% average off regular price or 5% off promotional pricing.
FEDVIP vs. FEHB Dental Coverage
The most common question from new employees is whether they need FEDVIP if their FEHB plan already has dental and vision.
| Feature | FEHB Dental/Vision | FEDVIP |
|---|---|---|
| Routine cleanings (2/year) | Often not covered | 100% in-network |
| Crowns, root canals | Rarely covered | Covered; cost-sharing varies by plan and tier |
| Waiting periods | Not applicable | No waiting periods |
| Preventive care deductible | Not applicable | $0 in-network |
| Vision exam | Some plans include one | Yes, annual |
| Frames and contacts allowance | Rarely | Yes, defined annual allowance |
| Adult orthodontia | Not covered | High option plans: yes |
| Government contribution | Yes (partial) | No contribution |
The short answer: FEHB dental and vision is minimal. A few FEHB plans include one routine eye exam per year or emergency dental coverage. None cover the full range of routine dental work. If you have teeth, you likely need FEDVIP.
For more on how FEHB coverage works overall and what to look for during Open Season, see the FEHB Plan Evaluation Guide.
FEDVIP for Retirees
FEDVIP works differently in retirement in ways that are not obvious before you leave service.
The Pre-Tax to Post-Tax Shift
This is the biggest financial consideration for federal retirees weighing FEDVIP.
As an active employee, FEDVIP premiums are deducted from your biweekly gross pay before federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security taxes, and Medicare taxes. The combined tax savings is approximately 20 to 33 percent depending on your bracket and state. You cannot opt out of this; premium conversion is mandatory for active employees.
As a retiree, premiums come out of your annuity payment after taxes. The same $576 annual premium costs the full $576 as a retiree, versus approximately $415 in real terms as an active employee (assuming a 28 percent combined rate). That difference adds up to several hundred dollars per year and compounds over a long retirement.
Example:
| Active Employee | Retiree | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Self Plus One Standard Dental Premium | $576 | $576 |
| Tax savings (28% combined rate) | -$161 | $0 |
| Effective annual cost | $415 | $576 |
The premium is the same. The real cost is not.
The Five-Year Rule Myth
Many federal employees believe they need 5 years of FEDVIP coverage before retirement to carry it into retirement, the same as the FEHB five-year rule. This is incorrect.
There is no five-year rule for FEDVIP. You can enroll in FEDVIP for the very first time on the day you retire, as long as you retire on an immediate or disability annuity. OPM has confirmed this explicitly in their FAQ.
When FEDVIP Makes Sense for Retirees
FEDVIP is worth keeping or enrolling in if you:
- Have predictable high dental expenses such as crowns, dentures, or implants
- Want adult orthodontia coverage (High plans only)
- Need annual glasses or contacts
- Have no Medicare Advantage plan with embedded dental and vision benefits
- Are a military retiree without TRICARE dental coverage
FEDVIP is harder to justify for retirees who:
- Use dental care only for two cleanings per year and could self-insure major dental work
- Have a Medicare Advantage plan with sufficient embedded dental and vision
- Have a spouse with employer-sponsored dental and vision coverage
- Are in a high tax bracket where the post-tax premium hits hardest
MRA+10 Postponed Annuity Gap
If you took an MRA+10 postponed retirement (separated before MRA to avoid the penalty, then waited until MRA to collect), your FEDVIP coverage stops when you separate. You have a 60-day re-enrollment window once your annuity payments begin. Do not miss it.
If you took a deferred retirement rather than a postponed one, you lose FEDVIP eligibility permanently. There is no path back in.
For the full picture on what changes in your first year of retirement, see the First Year Federal Retirement Guide.
FEDVIP and Medicare
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) covers essentially no routine dental or vision care. Routine cleanings, fillings, crowns, eye exams, glasses, and contacts are all excluded. Medicare only covers dental or vision services that are medically necessary as part of a covered medical procedure (jaw reconstruction after a serious accident, for example, or treatment for a diagnosed eye disease).
If you are a federal retiree with both FEHB and Medicare, you still have zero dental and vision coverage from those two programs. FEDVIP remains your primary option for both services.
Some Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) include embedded dental and vision benefits. But most federal retirees who carry FEHB coordinate with Original Medicare, not Medicare Advantage, because the FEHB coordination benefit works best with Parts A and B. If that describes you, FEDVIP is your only dental and vision coverage.
For more on the FEHB and Medicare interaction, see the FEHB and Medicare Part B Guide.
How to Enroll and When
Annual Open Season
The Federal Benefits Open Season runs from the Monday of the second full week in November through the Monday of the second full week in December each year. For 2026 coverage, the window was November 10 to December 8, 2025. The next Open Season will cover 2027 coverage.
FEDVIP enrollments carry over automatically year to year. You do not need to re-enroll unless you want to change plans or tiers.
New Employee 60-Day Window
Newly hired or newly eligible employees have a one-time 60-day enrollment period. Coverage begins the first day of the pay period after BENEFEDS receives your enrollment. You can stagger dental and vision enrollments independently within the 60-day window.
Qualifying Life Events
Outside of Open Season and the new employee window, you can enroll or change FEDVIP through a qualifying life event. The QLE window is generally 31 days before to 60 days after the event.
Common FEDVIP QLEs:
- Marriage or divorce
- Birth or adoption of a child
- Death of a covered family member
- Loss of other dental or vision coverage (such as a spouse losing employer coverage)
- Change in other insurance coverage status
Note: FEDVIP QLEs are defined separately from FEHB QLEs. The two programs have different rules. For FEHB QLE rules, see the FEHB Qualifying Life Events Guide.
How to Enroll
Enrollment is through benefeds.gov or by calling 1-877-888-3337. Retirees can also make changes through their retirement system (MyPay for DFAS annuitants, OPM Retirement Services for CSRS/FERS retirees).
Tips for Maximizing FEDVIP Benefits
Layer FSAFEDS for active employees. You can use a Health Care FSA (HCFSA) through FSAFEDS to pay FEDVIP copays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses. The 2026 HCFSA maximum is $3,400 (up $100 from 2025), with a $680 carryover. Retirees cannot contribute to an HCFSA.
Use all your preventive benefits. Two cleanings per year are covered at 100% in-network on virtually every FEDVIP dental plan. GEHA High covers three cleanings per year for adults. If you do not use these, you are paying premiums for coverage you are leaving behind.
Stay in-network where possible. The difference between in-network and out-of-network cost-sharing is significant across all plans. Standard option plans typically cover 35 to 50% of major services in-network but only 20 to 35% out-of-network. Check your plan's network before scheduling work.
Understand the implant cap before major work. No FEDVIP plan offers unlimited implant coverage. The universal cap is $2,500 per person per year. If you are planning multiple implants, you may need to stage the work across multiple benefit years to maximize coverage.
High vs. Standard depends on expected use. Standard option makes sense if you primarily use preventive care and have few expected major services. High option pays off if you have a crown, orthodontia, or significant restorative work planned. Run the break-even math: if you expect to hit more than $400 to $800 in cost-sharing differences above the premium difference, High likely pays for itself.
Compare plans, not just carriers. Premiums vary significantly within carriers by geographic rating area. Run your zip code through the OPM FEDVIP comparison tool at opm.gov before Open Season to get your actual rates rather than national averages.
Compare Your Federal Benefits
Your FEHB premium is the largest voluntary deduction in your federal benefits package. Use the free FEHB Calculator to compare premium costs across plans and enrollment types. For a full picture of how health insurance fits into your retirement finances, see the FEHB Value in Retirement Guide and the FEHB Guide 2026.
Compare FEHB Plans and Premiums
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a 5-year rule to keep FEDVIP in retirement?
No. Unlike FEHB, which requires 5 years of continuous coverage before retirement, FEDVIP has no five-year rule. You can enroll in FEDVIP for the very first time after you have already retired, as long as you retired on an immediate or disability annuity. OPM has confirmed this explicitly. The five-year myth causes some employees to enroll in FEDVIP unnecessarily early. Base the decision on your dental and vision needs, not a coverage eligibility timeline that does not exist.
Do federal employees pay FEDVIP premiums pre-tax?
Active employees yes, and you cannot opt out. FEDVIP premium conversion is mandatory for active federal employees, which reduces your real cost by 20 to 33 percent depending on your federal and state tax bracket. Retirees and annuitants pay post-tax, because IRS rules do not allow annuitants to participate in premium conversion. The same premium costs meaningfully more in real terms once you retire. Factor this into your FEDVIP decision well before retirement, not after.
What does FEDVIP cover that FEHB does not?
FEHB plans rarely cover routine dental cleanings, crowns, root canals, orthodontia, or vision exams with frames and contacts allowances. FEDVIP covers all of these, with no waiting periods and 100 percent in-network coverage for preventive dental. The two programs are complementary: FEHB covers medical, FEDVIP covers dental and vision.
Does Medicare cover dental and vision for federal retirees?
No. Original Medicare provides essentially no routine dental or vision coverage. Routine cleanings, fillings, crowns, eye exams, glasses, and contacts are all excluded. Federal retirees who have both FEHB and Medicare Parts A and B still have zero dental and vision coverage from those programs. FEDVIP remains the primary option for both in retirement.
Does FEDVIP cover dental implants?
Yes, with no waiting period. However, implant coverage is capped at $2,500 per person per year on virtually all plans, including High option plans with otherwise unlimited annual maximums. The implant cap is separate from and in addition to the annual maximum. If you are planning multiple implants, stage the work across benefit years to maximize coverage.
What happens to FEDVIP if I take a deferred retirement?
FEDVIP coverage ends when you separate from federal service, and deferred annuitants cannot re-enroll. This is one of the most overlooked costs of choosing a deferred retirement over a postponed one. You would need private dental and vision coverage during the gap years between separation and your annuity start date, and Medicare will not cover routine dental or vision when you eventually turn 65. If dental and vision coverage continuity matters to you, this is a concrete reason to choose a postponed MRA+10 annuity over a deferred one.
Related Resources
- FEHB Calculator: Compare FEHB premium costs across plans and enrollment types
- FEHB Guide 2026: Complete guide to FEHB plans, enrollment, and Open Season
- FEHB Plan Evaluation Guide: How to compare FEHB plans, including HDHP vs. standard and the Self Plus One pricing anomaly
- FEHB Value in Retirement: What FEHB is actually worth in retirement dollars
- FEHB and Medicare Part B Guide: How FEHB and Medicare coordinate, and whether to take Part B
- FEGLI Guide 2026: How federal life insurance works and when to consider private alternatives
- First Year Federal Retirement Guide: Month-by-month what to expect in your first year of retirement
Sources: OPM FEDVIP Program, OPM FEDVIP Eligibility, OPM FAQ: No 5-Year Rule, OPM Pre-Tax Deduction FAQ, MOAA 2026 FEDVIP Premium Announcement, GEHA Dental 2026, Delta Dental FEDVIP, MetLife FEDVIP Dental, Aetna FEDVIP Vision, FedWeek FEDVIP Retiree Costs
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