Retirement from Active Duty
When you retire from active duty, your TRICARE coverage transitions from active duty benefits to retiree benefits. You and your eligible family members can enroll in TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select as retirees. Retiree coverage requires enrollment fees and may include cost-shares and copayments that active duty members did not pay. You must update your status in DEERS within 30 days of retirement. If you are under 65, you have the choice between TRICARE Prime (managed care with PCM assignment and referrals) and TRICARE Select (PPO-style with more provider flexibility). At age 65, you must enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B to remain TRICARE-eligible through TRICARE For Life.
Timeline
Begin retirement transition briefing with Transition Assistance Program (TAP)
Verify DEERS records and ensure all family members are registered
Compare TRICARE Prime vs Select retiree options and costs
Schedule any needed medical/dental appointments while still on active duty
Enroll in chosen retiree TRICARE plan via milConnect or by calling your regional contractor
Update DEERS with retired status and new address
Obtain new military ID card reflecting retiree status
Begin paying enrollment fees (if applicable)
Action Checklist
- Attend Transition Assistance Program (TAP) briefing
- Verify all family members in DEERS are current
- Compare TRICARE Prime vs Select costs for retirees
- Complete any pending medical procedures before retirement
- Enroll in retiree TRICARE plan on milConnect
- Update DEERS with retired status
- Obtain new retiree military ID card
- Enroll in TRICARE Retiree Dental Program if desired
- Set up allotment or auto-pay for enrollment fees
- Transfer prescriptions to TRICARE mail-order pharmacy if switching
Plan Impact
Active duty TRICARE Prime (no cost) ends on retirement date. Retirees must enroll in TRICARE Prime (with enrollment fees) or TRICARE Select (with enrollment fees). TRICARE Prime retirees need referrals and a PCM. TRICARE Select retirees can see any TRICARE-authorized provider without referrals. Dental coverage transitions to the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP) through Delta Dental.
Cost Impact
Retirees begin paying annual enrollment fees. For 2026, TRICARE Prime retiree enrollment is approximately $700/year individual and $1,750/year family. TRICARE Select retiree enrollment is approximately $600/year individual and $1,500/year family. Copayments and cost-shares apply for most care. The catastrophic cap for retirees is $3,500 per family per year.
Required Forms & Documents
- DD Form 2656 (Data for Payment of Retired Personnel)
- DD Form 1172-2 (Application for DoD Common Access Card or DEERS Enrollment)
- TRICARE Prime or Select enrollment form via milConnect
- SF 1199A (Direct Deposit Sign-Up Form)
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