Another year, another round of premium hikes for our health care. Yes, they did it again with an average increase of 10% for the FEHB program and 9% for the PSHB postal employees’ plan.
The FEDVIP premiums also increased, although modestly compared to our primary health care plans. The average increase when adding everything together is north of 12%
Review the following article for complete details about all of the changes coming our way in 2026, including increased Medicare Part B and D premiums:
Shane Stevens, Associate Director for Healthcare and Insurance, stated in a recent memorandum, “We recognize that increasing health care expenses at this clip is not a sustainable path. As we assess the overall health-versus-expense equation across the US, we find an alarming trend. Per capita health care spending is higher than in our peer nations, our life expectancy has dropped further, and we see rising rates of treatable and preventable mortality. In short, something is NOT working. As a result, we are very excited about several things OPM is working on to increase the quality of care, improve health outcomes, and reduce overall expenses.”
Ramification of the Federal Government Shutdown – The Reality
Helpful Retirement Planning Tools
- Financial Planning Guide for Federal Employees and Annuitants
- TSP Guide
- Free Retirement Planning Report
- Budget Worksheet
- Retirement Planning for Federal Employees & Annuitants
- The Ultimate Retirement Planning Guide – Start Now
- Deciding When To Retire – A 7-Step Guide
- 2026 Federal Employees’ Leave Chart
- Medicare Guide
- Social Security Guide
Disclaimer: The information provided may not cover all aspects of unique or special circumstances. Federal regulations, medical procedures, investment information, and benefit details are subject to change. To ensure the accuracy of this information, contact relevant parties for assistance, including OPM’s retirement center. Over time, various dynamic economic factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change.
The information contained herein may not be suitable for your situation. This service is not affiliated with OPM or any federal entity. You should consult a financial, medical, or human resource professional where appropriate. Neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for any loss or other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
Last 5 posts by Dennis Damp
- Military Buyback Guide: How to Maximize Your Federal Pension - June 6th, 2026
- OPM Retirement Backlog: What Federal Retirees Should Expect - May 30th, 2026
- Retirement Cost Analysis: How to Prepare for Your Future - May 27th, 2026
- How to Increase Your Retirement Income Before You Retire - May 26th, 2026
- Required Minimum Distributions - May 8th, 2026
Dennis V. Damp is an author, retired federal manager, business owner, career counselor and veteran. Damp is the author of 28 books, a recognized benefits expert, and a retired federal manager with 35 years’ service. Dennis has been a guest on hundreds of radio talk shows, CNN’s YOUR MONEY and the Lou Dobbs Cable TV shows, lectured at universities and colleges, produced Internet web sites and training videos, and has written hundreds of articles for national magazines and newspapers. His books have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, New York Times and U.S. News & World Report.
Dennis joined the Air Force in 1968 and spent over three years on active duty and an additional seven years with the Air National Guard. He was hired by the Department of Defense (DOD) after leaving active duty and transferred to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 1975. He spent the remainder of his career in various positions with the FAA. His last position was technical operations manager at the Pittsburgh International Airport’s air traffic control tower.
