Your 2026 Benefits Window Just Opened

November 05, 2025

Every fall, federal employees get a brief window to rethink one of the most overlooked parts of their retirement strategy…

Their benefits.

This year, that window runs from November 10 to December 8.

And yes — even with shutdown headlines looming, Open Season is on.

OPM has confirmed, elections and changes can still be made during a funding lapse.

So whether you're enrolled in FEHB, PSHB, FEDVIP, or FSAFEDS, your opportunity to act is real and time-sensitive.

This Isn’t Just “Pick a Health Plan” Season

Think of Open Season less like insurance paperwork... and more like a rare chance to rebalance your retirement health strategy.

Too many employees simply “set it and forget it.”

But behind the scenes?

Plans are dropping out. Premiums are shifting. And your choices today may affect your benefits in retirement.

What’s Changing in 2026

1. FEHB (Federal Employees Health Benefits)

  • 132 plan options from 47 carriers

  • But here’s the catch: 6 plans (8 options) are disappearing (NALC, AvMed, and Priority Health, among others).

If your plan is dropping out and you don’t make a new selection, you’ll be auto-enrolled in the GEHA High Option — the lowest-cost nationwide fallback.

Tip: Don’t settle for automatic. Compare what you’re actually getting for your premium. The “default” may not match your needs or your doctors.

2. PSHB (Postal Service Health Benefits)

  • 75 plan options from 17 carriers

  • GEHA Elevate and Elevate Plus are exiting the program

  • Affected enrollees will be defaulted into Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Blue Focus

Tip: If you’re in PSHB and close to retirement, check that your new plan still meets FEHB eligibility requirements — especially if you’re planning to carry coverage into retirement.

3. FEDVIP (Dental & Vision)

  • Dental premiums increasing by 3.4%

  • Vision premiums up 0.5%

  • Health Partners Dental is leaving

The problem? There’s no default fallback here.

If your dental plan is leaving and you don’t make a move, you lose coverage in 2026 — full stop.

🧠Tip: FEDVIP is often ignored — until it’s needed. Review whether your dental and vision providers are still in-network. It’s one of the easiest wins to protect future costs.

4. FSAFEDS (Flexible Spending Accounts)

Unlike the other programs, you must re-enroll each year to participate — even if you had an FSA this year.

  • Health Care FSA = pre-tax dollars for deductibles, prescriptions, and co-pays

  • Dependent Care FSA = daycare, after-school care, and elder care

Tip: If you’re in the 24% tax bracket, every $1,000 in FSA contributions could save you $240 in taxes. Don't leave that on the table.

Open Season is just one part of your larger retirement strategy.

Take action, review your options, and make sure every choice is working in your favor — today and for the years ahead.

Best,
—FWR