I attended numerous retirement seminars as a Marine and late as an FBI employee. The reason was the Marine Corps provided me a NROTC scholarship to study insurance. Later I took a sabbatical from the military to venture into the financial planning field.
I noticed a universal shortfall among almost every seminar and soon my own. It was the orientation on the role of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Presenters alerted future Federal annuitants and their families how OPM would be the governmental agency responsible for various aspects of the retirement venue but not to the degree of providing comprehensive insight.
Now I provide retirement seminars to Federal employees about to retire. One of the benefits of providing virtual Federal retirement offers is the opportunity to share specific resources on the OPM website. I would like to share the following information accessible to everyone 24/7.
Here are 10 links on the OPM website for your consideration. While the OPM website contains a treasure of information I find it can be overpowering at times. Fear not. These links are not intended to be exhaustive for those needed for those about to retire. My intent is to stroke your curiosity and give you some confidence to navigate the OPM website further personally because of being introduced to these items.
Healthcare and Insurance Life Events
Life cycle events can change your needs for insurance. Here is an overview of how with regards to: the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, Federal Employees Dental and Vision Program (FEDVIP), Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS), Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) and Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI).
https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/life-events/
Compare FEHB Plans
Here is how to compare the FEHB plans available to you. Use this selection tool that allows you to also have visibility of enrollment by Self, Self Plus One, and Family and all the facets of up to three plans at a time.
https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/plan-information/compare-plans/
Compare FEDVIP Plans
Here is how to compare the FEDVIP plans available to you. This selection tool allows you to also have visibility of enrollment by Self, Self Plus One, and Family and all the facets of up to three plans at a time.
https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/plan-information/compare-plans/fedvip
Federal BallPark E$timate®
The Federal BallPark E$timate® is the jewel in the crown of several calculators provided on the OPM website. The Employee Benefit Research Institute® and its American Savings Education Council® (ASEC®) program developed this tool. The calculator provides detailed assumptions and assistance to each query in the calculator. The Thrift Savings Plan website will also direct you to this calculator.
https://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/calculators/federal-ball-park-estimator/
Quick Guide to FEHB, FEDVIP, FLTCIP, FSAFEDS, and FEGLI
Are you a big picture person? Do you need a comprehensive matrix of FEHB, FEDVIP, FLTCIP, FSAFEDS, and FEGLI? Here is Quick Guide to make your day.
https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/fastfacts/quickguide.pdf
Insurance FastFacts
FastFacts are what I consider the OPM equivalent of cheat sheets on 37 different insurance related topics. OPM knows there are those among us who appreciate a bottom-line approach to accessing information.
https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/fastfacts/
Retirement Information for New Retirees and Family Members
OPM did not forget your family. Here are links to publications such as handbooks and guides and links to other agencies which are useful to family members as well as retirees.
Retirees or Family Members (opm.gov)
Retirement FAQs
Want Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on a variety of Retirement topics? Each of the FAQs are interested in your feedback. Help OPM by voting with your assessment!
Retirement Benefits Survivor Information
Your survivors will appreciate you sharing this link in final instructions.
https://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/fers-information/survivors
