Retirement TRICARE Transition Guide 2026 | TRICARE.com

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## Quick answer Retirement is a **Qualifying Life Event (QLE)** that ends your active duty TRICARE coverage on your final day of service. To avoid a gap in healthcare, you must proactively select and enroll in a retiree health plan (such as TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select) within 90 days of your retirement date.

Details

When you retire, you transition from "active duty" to "retired" status in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). This change triggers a 90-day window to make enrollment choices. If you miss this window, you can only enroll during an annual Open Season or after another QLE.

### 1. Update DEERS Immediately Before your final out-processing, ensure your contact information and retirement status are updated in DEERS. You cannot enroll in retiree plans until DEERS shows your status as "Retired."

### 2. Choose Your Plan Retired service members and their families generally choose between two primary options:

* **TRICARE Prime:** Available in Prime Service Areas (PSAs). It features lower out-of-pocket costs but requires a Primary Care Manager (PCM) and referrals for specialty care. * **TRICARE Select:** A preferred provider organization (PPO) model. You can see any TRICARE-authorized provider, but you will pay higher deductibles and cost-shares.

### 3. Costs and Enrollment Fees (2026 Rates) Unlike active duty service, retirees must pay annual enrollment fees for Prime and Select (unless they are a Group A medically retired member or survivor).

* **Group A (Initial entry before Jan. 1, 2018):** 2026 enrollment fees for retirees are approximately $391.92/individual and $783.84/family for TRICARE Prime (estimated based on standard annual adjustments). * **Group B (Initial entry on/after Jan. 1, 2018):** Higher enrollment fees apply. * **Deductibles:** In 2026, TRICARE Select retirees face an annual deductible (approx. $150–$300 depending on Group) before TRICARE begins cost-sharing.

### 4. Dental and Vision Coverage TRICARE dental and vision coverage for active duty ends upon retirement. * **Dental:** Retirees are eligible for the **Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP)**, managed by OPM. * **Vision:** Retirees and their families can also enroll in FEDVIP vision plans. You must take action during your retirement QLE window or Open Season.

### 5. Transition Assistance Programs If you are not yet ready to commit to a retiree plan or are not yet eligible for a full retirement (e.g., separating but not retiring), you may qualify for temporary coverage: * **TAMP:** Providing 180 days of premium-free transitional health care for certain separating members. * **CHCBP:** A premium-based program that acts like COBRA for the military.

## Who this affects * **Active Duty Service Members:** Transitioning to regular retirement. * **National Guard/Reserve:** Transitioning to "Gray Area" retirement or age-60 retirement. * **Family Members:** Spouses and children of retiring sponsors. * **Medically Retired Members:** Those placed on the Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL) or Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL).

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil:** [Retiring from Active Duty](https://www.tricare.mil/LifeEvents/Retiring) * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** [TRICARE Plans for Retirees](https://www.tricare.mil/Plans/HealthPlans) * **BENEFEDS:** [FEDVIP Dental and Vision for Retirees](https://www.benefeds.com) * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance:** [West Region Retiree Resources](https://www.triwest.com)