Key Takeaways

• The new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program, effective January 1, 2025, does not replace or eliminate access to FEDVIP (dental and vision) or FEGLI (life insurance).

• Your eligibility for FEDVIP and FEGLI stays intact even as you transition from FEHB to PSHB. However, managing each benefit requires understanding separate enrollment timelines and systems.

Understanding the Shift: PSHB Replaces FEHB for USPS

The PSHB Program officially replaces FEHB for USPS employees, annuitants, and eligible family members starting January 1, 2025. While this is a major change for your healthcare coverage, it does not alter your eligibility for other federal benefit programs like FEDVIP or FEGLI. These programs are entirely separate from your PSHB health insurance.

The transition is being handled through:

• LiteBlue for active USPS employees

• KeepingPosted.org for annuitants

Both platforms give you access to PSHB plan comparisons, enrollment tools, and FAQs.

What Remains Unchanged: FEDVIP and FEGLI Are Still Available

As a USPS employee or retiree, you might be wondering whether your dental, vision, or life insurance coverage will be affected. Here’s what you need to know:

FEDVIP Is Still Open to You

FEDVIP, or the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program, continues to be a separate, standalone benefit. The PSHB Program doesn’t alter your eligibility for it. You remain eligible to enroll in FEDVIP as long as you’re:

• An active USPS employee eligible for PSHB

• A USPS retiree who retired with eligibility for FEHB or PSHB

Some important FEDVIP reminders:

• Enrollment occurs during Open Season (November to December each year)

• You use BENEFEDS to manage FEDVIP enrollment and plan changes

• Dental and vision benefits remain completely separate from PSHB

If you’re already enrolled in FEDVIP, your coverage will continue uninterrupted unless you actively make a change.

FEGLI Remains Unaffected

FEGLI (Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance) is another federal benefit that remains untouched by the PSHB transition. If you had FEGLI coverage before 2025, it continues under the same rules.

FEGLI is managed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and offers different coverage types:

• Basic Life Insurance

• Optional coverage (Options A, B, and C)

What you should keep in mind:

• Premiums for FEGLI rise with age, especially in retirement

• retirees must have had FEGLI coverage for at least 5 years before retirement to carry it into retirement

• Changes to FEGLI can only be made during specific qualifying events or through rare open enrollments

PSHB does not change your eligibility, enrollment, or benefits for FEGLI.

Enrollment and System Management Differences

It’s crucial to understand that these three benefits—PSHB, FEDVIP, and FEGLI—are managed through different systems and have separate enrollment procedures.

Where You Enroll

• PSHB: Managed via LiteBlue (employees) and KeepingPosted.org (annuitants)

• FEDVIP: Managed through BENEFEDS

• FEGLI: Managed via OPM and your HR or retirement office

Be aware of these distinctions so you don’t miss any deadlines or lose access to important benefits.

Timing and Deadlines to Know in 2025

The transition to PSHB comes with specific timeframes, and so do FEDVIP and FEGLI. Here’s what you need to know for this year:

PSHB Enrollment Periods

• Open Season: November to December 2024 (for coverage starting January 1, 2025)

• Special Enrollment Period (SEP): April 1 to September 30, 2024, for required Medicare Part B enrollment

FEDVIP Open Season

• Typically runs concurrently with PSHB Open Season (November to December)

• Changes go into effect January 1 of the following year

FEGLI Enrollment Opportunities

• Generally only available during qualifying life events (marriage, divorce, birth of a child, etc.)

• FEGLI Open Seasons are rare but announced through OPM

Mark your calendar and keep track of which systems handle each benefit.

Medicare Integration Only Affects PSHB

The new PSHB Program introduces mandatory Medicare Part B enrollment for some retirees and their family members. However, this integration applies only to PSHB—not to FEDVIP or FEGLI.

If you or your covered family members are required to enroll in Medicare Part B, that decision does not influence your dental, vision, or life insurance benefits.

Key points about Medicare and PSHB:

• If you’re a retiree under 65 as of January 1, 2025, you may be required to enroll in Medicare Part B upon turning 65

• PSHB plans integrate with Medicare to offer reduced cost-sharing and prescription benefits

But again, these Medicare requirements are exclusive to PSHB and do not apply to FEDVIP or FEGLI.

What Happens If You Opt Out of PSHB

Choosing to opt out of PSHB has serious consequences for your overall health coverage—but it does not cancel FEDVIP or FEGLI eligibility.

However, you should be aware:

• You may lose prescription drug coverage under PSHB if you opt out and do not have other Medicare Part D coverage

• You may not be able to re-enroll in PSHB later unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period

Still, your dental, vision, and life insurance benefits remain unaffected in terms of eligibility. But any changes in employment or retirement status could alter your premium contributions and available options.

Keeping Your Benefits Aligned Moving Forward

To avoid confusion and missed opportunities, you should:

• Maintain updated contact information with OPM, BENEFEDS, and USPS HR or retirement services

• Carefully read annual benefit statements and Open Season communications

• Review all your coverages each fall to determine if updates are needed across PSHB, FEDVIP, or FEGLI

• Contact a licensed agent or benefits advisor if you’re unsure about how one benefit impacts another

Each program functions independently, so keeping track of them takes proactive management.

Questions Still Linger? You’re Not Alone

You’re not the only one puzzled by how PSHB interacts with other benefit programs. The good news is that your access to essential coverage—dental, vision, and life insurance—remains intact in 2025.

Here’s what to do next:

• Log in to the correct system for each benefit

• Mark calendar dates for Open Season

• Don’t assume PSHB changes affect everything

If you still have questions, getting personalized guidance from a professional can make all the difference.

Secure Your Full Range of Federal Benefits

The transition to PSHB in 2025 might change how you approach your health insurance, but it doesn’t affect your FEDVIP or FEGLI benefits. These programs remain separate and continue to serve USPS employees and retirees. With clear distinctions in systems, timelines, and requirements, you can manage your benefits more effectively by staying informed.

For expert guidance and peace of mind, get in touch with a licensed agent listed on this website for professional advice.