TRICARE After Retirement: Plans, Costs, and Rules (2026)
*Note: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not the official TRICARE program. For the most current official policies, visit TRICARE.mil.*
## Quick answer When you retire from active duty, your TRICARE coverage changes from a free benefit to a paid benefit that requires active enrollment. You must choose a plan (like TRICARE Select or Prime) and pay monthly or quarterly enrollment fees within 90 days of your retirement date to avoid a gap in coverage.
Details
Retirement is a **Qualifying Life Event (QLE)**. This means your previous TRICARE Prime (Active Duty) coverage ends on your last day of service. To remain covered, you must take action.
### Enrollment Window You have **90 days** from your retirement date to enroll in a retiree health plan. If you miss this window, you can typically only enroll during the annual Fall Open Enrollment period or after another QLE.
### Plan Options for Retirees 1. **TRICARE Prime:** Available in Prime Service Areas (PSAs). Retirees pay annual enrollment fees and copays for most outpatient visits. 2. **TRICARE Select:** A PPO-style plan available worldwide. It has no enrollment fee for "Group A" (enlisted before 2018), but "Group B" (enlisted after Jan 1, 2018) pays monthly fees. All retirees pay an annual deductible and cost-shares. 3. **TRICARE For Life (TFL):** For retirees age 65+ who have Medicare Part A and Part B. TFL acts as secondary payer to Medicare. 4. **US Family Health Plan:** Available in specific geographic areas through civilian networks.
### 2026 Costs (Estimated/Reference) Costs are determined by your "Group" status: * **Group A (Initial entry before Jan 1, 2018):** 2026 enrollment fees for TRICARE Prime are approximately $392/individual or $784/family per year. TRICARE Select currently has an enrollment fee of approximately $190/individual or $380/family per year. * **Group B (Initial entry on/after Jan 1, 2018):** Higher enrollment fees and higher catastrophic caps apply. * **Pharmacy:** Retirees pay higher pharmacy copays than active duty families. As of 2026, a 90-day supply of generic maintenance medication via Express Scripts mail order is the most cost-effective option ($16).
### The "Grey Area" (National Guard/Reserve) If you retire from the Guard or Reserve but are under age 60, you are a "Grey Area Retiree." You are eligible for **TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR)**, which has significantly higher monthly premiums (often exceeding $500–$1,300 depending on family size) until you reach age 60 and begin drawing retired pay.
### Regional Contractors * **East Region:** Managed by **Humana Military**. * **West Region:** Managed by **TriWest Healthcare Alliance** (effective Jan 1, 2025).
## Who this affects * **Retiring Active Duty Members:** Must transition from Prime to a retiree plan. * **Retiree Family Members:** Coverage changes alongside the sponsor. * **National Guard/Reserve:** Transitioning to TRR (before age 60) or Standard Retiree benefits (after age 60). * **Survivors:** Remarried spouses may lose eligibility; children typically remain eligible until age 21 (or 23 if in school).
## Sources 1. **TRICARE.mil:** Retiring from Active Duty - https://www.tricare.mil/Retiring 2. **TRICARE.mil:** Costs and Fees - https://www.tricare.mil/costs 3. **Humana Military (East):** https://www.humanamilitary.com/ 4. **TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West):** https://www.triwest.com/