Six Steps to Keep Your TRICARE Coverage After Retirement

Written By Vet Ins Adv

Retiring from active duty doesn’t mean your TRICARE ends—but you must take a few steps to keep it going. Here’s the quick guide every retiring service member should follow.

1. Update DEERS

  • As soon as you have retirement orders, update your info in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).

  • Do it online (milConnect), by phone, or in person.

  • TRICARE can’t enroll you in a retiree plan until DEERS shows your new status.

2. Get New ID Cards

  • Once retirement paperwork is processed, get new Uniformed Services ID cards for you and your family.

  • You’ll need them for medical appointments, pharmacies, and any TRICARE-related services.

3. Choose Your Health Plan

  • After retirement, you must pick a retiree TRICARE plan:

    • TRICARE Prime (in Prime Service Areas)

    • TRICARE Select

    • U.S. Family Health Plan

  • Guard/Reserve retirees have different rules before age 60 and between 60–64.

  • At 65, if you have Medicare Parts A & B, you’ll move to TRICARE for Life.

4. Enroll Within 90 Days

  • Retirement is a Qualifying Life Event, giving you 90 days to enroll in a new plan.

  • Enroll via milConnect, by phone, or by mail.

  • Missed the 90 days? You have 12 months to request retroactive enrollment—but claims won’t be paid until you’re enrolled, and you’ll owe back premiums.

5. Set Up Payment

  • Most retiree plans have enrollment fees or premiums.

  • Easiest option: set up an allotment from your retirement pay so it’s automatic.

6. Consider Dental & Vision

  • Active-duty dental and vision coverage ends when you retire.

  • You can enroll in FEDVIP (Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program) for those benefits.

  • Pharmacy coverage continues through military pharmacies, home delivery, or retail network pharmacies.

Resources

  • https://soldierforlife.army.mil/Army-Retirement/Retirement-Planning/Change-of-Mission-Newsletter/2025-0401-Keep-TRICARE-Coverage-After-Retirement

  • https://www.tricare.mil/LifeEvents/Retiring

  • https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect/

  • https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/dental-vision/

Vet Ins Adv
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