FEDVIP dental and vision for retirees: can you enroll or switch this Open Season?

Last updated November 1, 2026

Published November 1, 2026 · By the OnPAR Federal Retirement Education editorial team · Last reviewed Nov 2026

Short answer: Yes. If you retired on an immediate annuity (or a disability annuity), you can enroll in, switch, or cancel a FEDVIP dental and/or vision plan during this Open Season, November 9 through December 14, 2026. You don't need FEHB, and there is no 5-year rule for FEDVIP. New coverage starts January 1, 2027. Retirees pay FEDVIP premiums from the annuity after tax.

Who can enroll as a retiree (OPM)

Per OPM's FEDVIP eligibility page, you can enroll if you:

• retired on an immediate annuity under FERS, CSRS or another federal retirement system, or
• retired for disability, or
• are a survivor annuitant receiving an annuity.

Annuitants do not have to be eligible for or enrolled in FEHB to have FEDVIP (OPM Dental & Vision). OPM also says you can enroll for the first time as a retiree, even if you never had FEDVIP while working (OPM FAQ).

Not eligible: deferred annuitants, former spouses, FEHB Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) enrollees, and others OPM lists on the eligibility page.

Postponed MRA+10: under 5 CFR 894.701, FEDVIP stops when you separate, and you may enroll again within 60 days of when your annuity starts.

No 5-year rule

FEHB requires 5 years of coverage before retirement to keep it. FEDVIP does not. OPM says your FEDVIP enrollment continues into retirement "regardless of the length of time you had FEDVIP coverage as an employee" (OPM eligibility).

What changes this Open Season (plan year 2027)

From OPM's Open Season Highlights for Plan Year 2027:

Those are averages. Check your own plan's premium on OPM's premium pages or BENEFEDS.

Deadline

OPM says Open Season for FEDVIP ends at 11:59 pm Eastern Time on Monday, December 14, 2026 (OPM Open Season). If you do nothing, your current dental and vision enrollment continues automatically.

Why your retiree premium looks higher

OPM says premiums don't change because you retire. They look higher because they come out monthly instead of biweekly and are post-tax, since pre-tax premiums aren't available to annuitants (OPM FAQ).

How to enroll or switch

1. Compare plans with OPM's FEDVIP Plan Comparison Tool (linked from OPM Open Season).

2. Enroll or change at BENEFEDS.gov or call BENEFEDS at 1-877-888-3337.

3. Pick Self Only, Self Plus One or Self and Family. FEDVIP family rules are not the same as FEHB rules.

Pairing dental and vision with your FEHB choice? Use our FEHB Open Season 2026 guide and retiree checklist.

Sources

• OPM: Dental & Vision (FEDVIP)
• OPM: FEDVIP Eligibility
• OPM: Open Season 2026
• OPM: Open Season Highlights for Plan Year 2027 (PDF)
• 5 CFR Part 894, Subpart G

Questions and answers

Can I enroll in FEDVIP after I retire?

Yes. OPM says you can enroll in FEDVIP dental and/or vision for the first time as a retiree if you retired on an immediate annuity or for disability, even if you never had FEDVIP as an employee.

Is there a 5-year rule for FEDVIP in retirement?

No. OPM says there is no requirement to have FEDVIP coverage for 5 years before retirement, unlike FEHB.

Do I need FEHB to have FEDVIP as a retiree?

No. OPM says annuitants do not have to be eligible for or enrolled in FEHB to enroll in FEDVIP.

When is the FEDVIP Open Season deadline?

OPM says FEDVIP Open Season ends at 11:59 pm Eastern Time on Monday, December 14, 2026. Changes take effect January 1, 2027.

Are FEDVIP premiums pre-tax for retirees?

No. OPM says pre-tax premiums are not available to annuitants, so retirees pay FEDVIP premiums post-tax.