TRICARE Retirement Guide 2026: Plans, Costs, and Deadlines
*Disclaimer: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not the official TRICARE program or a government agency. For official policy and enrollment, visit TRICARE.mil.*
## Quick answer When you retire from active duty, your TRICARE coverage does not automatically continue. You have **90 days** from your retirement date to enroll in a retiree health plan (such as TRICARE Select or TRICARE Prime) to avoid a gap in coverage. If you miss this window, you may only be able to enroll during the annual Open Season or following another Qualifying Life Event (QLE).
## In detail Retirement is a major Qualifying Life Event (QLE). Because you are moving from "active duty" status to "retired" status, your TRICARE Prime enrollment ends on your final day of service. To remain covered, you must take proactive steps.
### 1. Update DEERS Immediately Before you can enroll in a retiree plan, your personnel office must update your status to "Retired" in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). You cannot enroll in retiree coverage while DEERS still shows you as active duty.
### 2. Choose Your Plan As a retiree, you generally have two primary options for DIR (Direct Care) and civilian care:
* **TRICARE Prime:** Available in Prime Service Areas (PSAs). You will have a Primary Care Manager (PCM) and need referrals for specialty care. Active duty family members transitioning to retiree status will notice that Prime now requires annual enrollment fees. * **TRICARE Select:** A PPO-style plan that allows you to see any TRICARE-authorized provider. It offers more flexibility but generally involves higher out-of-pocket costs (deductibles and copays).
### 3. Costs and Enrollment Fees (2026 Rates) Unlike active duty service members, retirees must pay annual enrollment fees for most plans. TRICARE classifies retirees into two groups based on when the sponsor first joined the military:
| Fee Category (2026) | Group A (Joined before Jan 1, 2018) | Group B (Joined on/after Jan 1, 2018) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **TRICARE Prime (Individual)** | ~$335–$350 per year | ~$550–$600 per year | | **TRICARE Prime (Family)** | ~$670–$700 per year | ~$1,100–$1,200 per year | | **TRICARE Select (Individual)** | ~$190–$210 per year | ~$580–$620 per year | | **TRICARE Select (Family)** | ~$380–$420 per year | ~$1,150–$1,250 per year |
*Note: Rates vary slightly by plan year; check TRICARE.mil for the exact 2026 cents-on-the-dollar figures.*
### 4. Pharmacy and Dental Benefits * **Pharmacy:** Your pharmacy benefit continues through Express Scripts. You can still use Military Pharmacies (MTFs) for $0 copays, but many retirees transition to Home Delivery or retail networks, which carry higher copays (e.g., $16 for a 30-day generic retail supply in 2026). * **Dental/Vision:** TRICARE dental for active duty family members ends. Retirees and their families are eligible to enroll in the **Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP)**, managed by OPM.
### 5. Managing Your Region Enrollment is handled by your regional contractor: * **East Region:** Humana Military. * **West Region:** TriWest Healthcare Alliance (T-5 Contractor).
## Who this applies to * **Active Duty Retirees:** Transitioning from 20+ years of service (or medical retirement). * **Retired Reserve (Gray Area):** National Guard or Reserve members who have retired but are not yet age 60. They must use **TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR)**, which has significantly higher monthly premiums, until they reach age 60. * **Medically Retired:** Service members placed on the Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL) or Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL). They are eligible for retiree benefits regardless of years of service.
Common scenarios
**The Prime Transition:** MSgt Miller retires in San Diego (West Region) after 22 years. He wants to keep his same doctor. He updates DEERS and enrolls in TRICARE Prime for a family within 30 days of his retirement. In 2026, he pays an annual enrollment fee of approximately $700 (Group A), which he sets up to be deducted monthly from his retired pay.
**Moving to the Country:** SFC Jones retires and moves to a rural area in the East Region where no Prime Service Area exists. She must enroll in TRICARE Select. For 2026, her family enrollment fee is roughly $400, and she pays a deductible before TRICARE begins sharing costs for her civilian doctors.
**The "Gray Area" Reservist:** Major Thompson retires from the Army Reserve at age 45. He is not eligible for regular TRICARE retiree rates until age 60. He chooses to enroll in TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR) to cover his family, paying a monthly premium of over $1,300 (representative of TRR rates) until he turns 60.
## Related terms * **Qualifying Life Event (QLE):** A certain change in your life, such as retiring, that allows you to enroll in or change your TRICARE health plan outside of Open Season. * **DEERS:** The Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System; the database that tracks your eligibility for military benefits. * **Prime Service Area (PSA):** A geographic area where TRICARE Prime is offered, typically near a military inpatient facility or a base. * **Group A vs. Group B:** Classification based on the sponsor’s initial enlistment or appointment date which determines enrollment fees and out-of-pocket costs. * **FEDVIP:** The Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program, which replaces TRICARE dental for retirees.
## Sources * **TRICARE.mil - Retiring:** https://www.tricare.mil/LifeEvents/Retiring * **Humana Military (East Contractor):** https://www.humanamilitary.com/ * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West Contractor):** https://www.triwest.com/ * **Beneficiary Education and Support (BENE):** https://www.tricare.mil/costs/compare