TRICARE vs. FEHB Comparison Calculator
If you're a military retiree who became a federal civilian employee, you qualify for both TRICARE and FEHB. This calculator estimates your real annual out-of-pocket cost under each — so you can make the right choice for your family.
The gap no one talks about
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2026 TRICARE Prime — annual enrollment fees
TRICARE Prime has no annual deductible. Copays are fixed per visit, and the catastrophic cap limits total out-of-pocket per family per year.
| Group | Individual | Family | Catastrophic Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group A | $381.96 | $765.00 | $3,000 |
| Group B | $462.96 | $927.00 | $4,635 |
| Medically Retired | $0 | $0 | $3,000 |
2026 TRICARE Select — annual enrollment fees & deductibles
TRICARE Select gives you more provider flexibility but adds an annual deductible and higher per-visit copays. Group B retirees face significantly higher enrollment fees due to 2017 NDAA cost-sharing reforms.
| Group | Individual Fee | Family Fee | Individual Deductible | Family Deductible | Catastrophic Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group A | $186.96 | $375.00 | $150 | $300 | $4,381 |
| Group B | $594.96 | $1,191.00 | $198 | $397 | $4,635 |
Note: The Group B Select individual fee ($594.96) is not a typo — it is intentionally higher under the 2017 NDAA reform.
TRICARE For Life — the age 65+ picture
At 65, TRICARE Prime and Select enrollment ends. Most retirees transition to TRICARE For Life (TFL), which acts as a Medicare wraparound. TFL has no enrollment fee, but it requires enrollment in both Medicare Part A and Part B — and Part B carries a monthly premium.
When Medicare pays first and TFL covers cost-shares, covered services typically result in $0 out-of-pocket beyond the Part B premium and deductible. For most dual-eligible retirees at 65, TFL plus a suspended FEHB enrollment is substantially cheaper than maintaining an active FEHB plan. Federal employees can suspend FEHB (not cancel) at 65 and re-enroll in any future open season.
FEHB side: how retiree premiums work
Federal retirees keep the government's FEHB contribution — the same formula as for active employees. The government pays the lesser of 75% of the biweekly premium or the 2026 contribution cap.
Source: OPM Federal Benefits Open Season Highlights 2026 · fehb-plans-2026.ts (plan N61). The calculator defaults to BCBS Standard Option as the FEHB comparison anchor.Compare your specific plan →