TRICARE Retirement From Active Duty Guide 2026 | TRICARE.com

*Note: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not affiliated with the Department of Defense. For official policy and enrollment, visit [TRICARE.mil](https://www.tricare.mil).*

When you retire from active duty, you experience a "Qualifying Life Event" (QLE). Your status changes from "Active Duty" to "Retiree," which ends your active duty PRIME coverage and introduces new enrollment fees for you and your family. **You must take action within 90 days of your retirement date to maintain TRICARE coverage.**

## What changes Retirement terminates your automatic "free" healthcare coverage. As a retiree, you must proactively select and enroll in a retiree health plan, and for most plans, you will begin paying annual enrollment fees and higher cost-shares (copayments) for care. If you do not enroll within 90 days, you can only get care at a Military Treatment Facility (MTF) on a "space-available" basis, which is often unavailable in many regions.

## What to do — checklist 1. **Update DEERS:** Visit a RAPIDS ID card office to get your new DD Form 2 (Retires) ID card and ensure your status is updated in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). **Deadline: On or before your retirement date.** 2. **Choose a Plan:** Decide between **TRICARE Prime** (managed care, requires a Primary Care Manager) or **TRICARE Select** (PPO-style, more flexibility). **Deadline: Within 90 days of retirement.** 3. **Submit Enrollment:** Enroll via the [milConnect website](https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/) (beneficiary web enrollment) or by calling your regional contractor (Humana Military in the East; TriWest in the West). **Deadline: Within 90 days of retirement.** 4. **Set Up Payments:** Arrange to pay your 2026 enrollment fees via allotment (from your retired pay), credit card, or EFT. **Deadline: At time of enrollment.** 5. **Review Dental Coverage:** TRICARE dental for active duty families ends at retirement. You must enroll in the **Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP)** through OPM if you want dental/vision coverage. **Deadline: Within 60 days of retirement.** 6. **Update Pharmacy Info:** Ensure Express Scripts has your new mailing address to continue home delivery of maintenance medications. **Deadline: Within 30 days of retirement.**

## Timeline | Timing | Action | | :--- | :--- | | **6 Months Prior** | Attend a Transition Assistance Program (TAP) briefing to understand 2026 cost-share tiers (Group A vs. Group B). | | **90 Days Prior** | Schedule final "Separation History and Physical Examination" (SHPE). | | **Day 0 (Retirement)** | Active duty TRICARE Prime coverage officially ends. DEERS status changes to "Retiree." | | **Day 1 – 90** | **The QLE Window.** You must submit your new enrollment form to Humana Military (East) or TriWest (West). | | **Day 91+** | If no action was taken, you are locked out of enrollment until the next Open Season (unless you have another QLE). |

## Common pitfalls * **Assuming Enrollment is Automatic:** Many retirees think they stay in "Prime" automatically. You don't. You must re-enroll as a retiree. If you miss the 90-day window, you lose all civilian provider coverage. * **Forgetting FEDVIP Dental:** TRICARE does not offer a retiree dental plan. If you don't sign up for FEDVIP via [benefeds.com](https://www.benefeds.com) within 60 days, you may have to wait until the fall Open Season to get dental insurance. * **Ignoring "Group" Status:** Your costs depend on when you joined the military. **Group A** (joined before Jan 1, 2018) has lower fees than **Group B** (joined on or after Jan 1, 2018). Check your 2026 rate table carefully to budget for these new monthly costs. * **Missing the Allotment Setup:** If you don't set up an allotment from your retirement pay, you might forget a manual payment, causing your coverage to lapse for non-payment.

## Sources * TRICARE Retiring from Active Duty: [https://www.tricare.mil/retiring](https://www.tricare.mil/retiring) * Beneficiary Web Enrollment (milConnect): [https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/](https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/) * FEDVIP Enrollment (Benefeds): [https://www.benefeds.com/](https://www.benefeds.com/) * TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West Region): [https://www.triwest.com/](https://www.triwest.com/) * Humana Military (East Region): [https://www.humanamilitary.com/](https://www.humanamilitary.com/)