FSAFEDS 2027: re-enroll this Open Season and the new Visa FSA card
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By the OnPAR Federal Retirement Education editorial team · Last updated
Related: FEHB Open Season 2026 · Open Season checklist · PSHB Open Season 2027 · FSAFEDS 2027
Short answer: If you're an active federal employee with a flexible spending account, you must re-enroll in FSAFEDS for 2027. Your election does not carry over [2]. Open Season runs November 9 – December 14, 2026, and FSAFEDS closes at 11:59 PM Eastern Time on December 14 [1]. New for 2027: an FSAFEDS Visa FSA card for Health Care FSA and Limited Expense Health Care FSA accounts. Paperless reimbursement is still an option [2].
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1. You must re-enroll every year
OPM: "Participation in FSAFEDS does not automatically continue from year to year. All current FSAFEDS participants who want to continue for Benefit Year 2027 must reenroll in the program." For a re-enrollment, new enrollment or change made during Open Season, the effective date is January 1, 2027 [2]. If you do nothing, you will have no FSA in 2027.
2. New: the FSAFEDS Visa FSA card
Starting with this Open Season, FSAFEDS is offering the FSAFEDS Visa® FSA Card for HCFSA (Health Care FSA) and LEX HCFSA (Limited Expense Health Care FSA) accounts [2]. OPM says:
- You can pay eligible health care, pharmacy, dental and vision expenses at the point of service [2].
- The card pulls money directly from your HCFSA or LEX HCFSA, so you don't have to pay out of pocket and then wait to be reimbursed [2].
- Transactions and balances are available in the FSAFEDS mobile app [2].
3. Paperless reimbursement is still offered
You don't have to use the card. OPM says participants "will have the choice of the debit card or paperless reimbursement" [2]. Pick whichever you prefer when you enroll.
4. Who can use FSAFEDS
FSAFEDS is for active employees. Retirees can't enroll in FSAFEDS during Open Season. See FEHB Open Season 2026 for what retirees can change.
What to do before December 14
- Estimate what you expect to spend out of pocket in 2027 on health, dental, vision and dependent care. OPM encourages employees to consider the tax savings of setting that amount aside [2].
- Re-enroll (or enroll) at FSAFEDS.gov by 11:59 PM ET on December 14, 2026 [1].
- Choose the Visa FSA card or paperless reimbursement for your HCFSA or LEX HCFSA [2].
- Check the current contribution limits and rules on FSAFEDS.gov before you pick an amount.
Also new: New for 2027: proof of eligibility when you add a family member
Under the FEHB Protection Act of 2025 (Sec. 90101, Public Law 119-21), beginning with this Open Season, anyone adding a new family member to an FEHB or PSHB plan during Open Season must submit supporting documentation so the family member's eligibility can be verified. Ask your employing office benefits officer (or the retirement office, if you're retired) what documents they need, and have them ready before December 14 (OPM Open Season Highlights, PY2027).
Free 20-minute Open Season review
FEHB Open Season runs Nov 9 to Dec 14, 2026. If you're retiring within 5 years, book a free 20-minute phone call with a licensed financial professional. You can talk through your FEHB choice and how it carries into retirement. No cost and no obligation.
Education only. Not affiliated with OPM or any government agency.
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Official sources
- OPM: Open Season (dates and closing times)
- OPM: 2026 Federal Benefits Open Season Highlights for Plan Year 2027 (PDF)
- FSAFEDS (official program site)
Checked against OPM on November 4, 2026. Education only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Not affiliated with OPM, USPS or any government agency.