Rehired annuitants can get back into the premium conversion by having their premiums deducted. Image: Sinseeho/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffFederal annuitants who are rehired by the government, unlike those who stay retired, can participate in the “premium conversion” arrangement under the Federal Employees Health Benefits and FEDVIP vision-dental insurance programs.
That factor—mainly of interest for FEHB purposes since premiums in that program are much more expensive because the program provides much more extensive benefits—might help some retirees decide whether to accept reemployment.
Generally speaking, active employees can participate in the arrangement—which allows premiums to be paid with pre-tax money, saving the typical enrollee hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year, depending on the cost of the plan and the employee’s tax bracket—but retirees cannot because of the tax code.
However, rehired annuitants can get back into the premium conversion by having their premiums deducted from their pay as employees rather than from their retirement annuities. In order to allow eligible reemployed annuitants an opportunity to participate in premium conversion, their enrollment must be transferred from their retirement system to their employing agency.
If you are rehired in a position that conveys eligibility for coverage, you may enroll under the same terms as any newly hired employee. You will automatically participate in premium conversion unless you file a waiver.
Your participation in premium conversion ends on the last day of the last pay period as an employee. When you again separate from active service, your enrollment must be transferred back from your employing agency to OPM or the appropriate retirement system.
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