The FEHB Open Season 2027 Dates are set: Monday, November 9 through Monday, December 14, 2026. The Office of Personnel Management made it official on September 30, the same day it posted the 2027 premiums and plan information for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, the Postal Service Health Benefits Program and the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program. The headline number is a 10.9% average increase in what current non-postal employees and federal retirees pay for their share of FEHB premiums next year. That is lower than the 12.3% increase for 2026, but it is still a large jump at a time when most civilian employees are facing a proposed pay freeze.
Several rules and options changed. Nine FEHB plans will not be available in 2027, and people enrolled in them have to pick a new plan during open season or be moved to a default plan. Anyone who adds a spouse or child during the window will need to submit documents proving eligibility. Coverage continues automatically if you do nothing, but that can be an expensive choice if your plan’s premium rose sharply or your doctors left its network. This guide covers the dates, the premium changes, what the government pays, a calculator and step by step instructions. We’ll be updating this article monthly.
FEHB Open Season 2027 Dates Key Highlights
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Open season dates | Monday, November 9 through Monday, December 14, 2026 |
| OPM announcement and premium release | September 30, 2026 |
| Average increase in enrollee share, FEHB | 10.9%, down from 12.3% in 2026 |
| Average increase in enrollee share, PSHB | 8.2%, down from 11.3% in 2026 |
| Overall average FEHB premium increase | 9.3%, down from 10.2% in 2026 |
| FEDVIP dental and vision | Average increases of about 1.0% and 1.6% |
| FEHB plans not available in 2027 | Nine |
| New requirement | Documentation to add a spouse or child |
| Changes take effect | January 2027 |
| Do nothing | Coverage continues unless your plan is ending |
Key Dates for the 2026 Open Season (2027 Plan Year)
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| September 30, 2026 | OPM posts 2027 premiums and plan information |
| Early November 2026 | Full plan brochures and OPM’s plan comparison tool become available |
| November 9, 2026 | Open season begins |
| December 14, 2026 | Open season ends |
| December 31, 2026 | Cancellation effective date for annuitants and PSHB annuitants |
| January 1, 2027 | New elections take effect for annuitants and for FEDVIP |
| January 10, 2027 | Start of the first pay period for most FEHB employees, per OPM’s table |
| January 24, 2027 | Start of the first pay period for PSHB employees, per OPM’s table |
OPM’s table shows employee enrollment changes starting with the first pay period of January, which is January 10 for FEHB employees and January 24 for PSHB employees, and January 1 for annuitants. Cancellations for employees take effect the day before the new pay period, January 9 and January 23, and December 31 for annuitants. Check your agency’s calendar if your pay period differs.
OPM also notes that the open season regulation sets the window each year. The window opens on the Monday of the second full workweek in November, and runs through the second Monday in December.
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FEHB 2027 Premiums: The Average Increases
| Program | Average increase in enrollee share, 2027 | 2026 comparison |
|---|---|---|
| FEHB, non-postal employees and retirees | 10.9% | 12.3% |
| PSHB enrollees | 8.2% | 11.3% |
| Overall FEHB premium, including the government share | 9.3% | 10.2% |
Recent history shows how much the trend has accelerated. The overall FEHB increase was 7.2% for 2023, 5.8% for 2024, 11.2% for 2025, 10.2% for 2026 and 9.3% for 2027. The slowing growth has been described by OPM as a sign of progress for the second consecutive year, but enrollees still pay more.
FEDVIP dental premiums rise about 1.0% on average, and vision premiums about 1.6%. The program offers 11 dental carriers with 21 plan options and five vision carriers with 10 plan options, a total of 31 choices.
An average is not your premium. The change depends on the plan and the type of enrollment. Some plans will rise much more than 10.9% and some will rise less, so use OPM’s plan by plan rate chart.
What the Government Pays: The 2027 Contribution Formula
The government pays the lesser of two numbers: 72% of the program-wide weighted average premium, or 75% of the total premium for the plan you choose. For 2027, OPM set these figures.
| Enrollment type | Weighted average premium, biweekly | Maximum government contribution, biweekly | Maximum government contribution, monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self Only | $488.95 | $352.04 | $762.75 |
| Self Plus One | $1,066.02 | $767.53 | $1,662.98 |
| Self and Family | $1,171.97 | $843.82 | $1,828.28 |
If a plan’s total biweekly premium for Self Only is $560, 72% of the weighted average is $352.04 and 75% of $560 is $420, so the government pays $352.04 and the enrollee pays about $207.96. If the plan’s total premium were $400, 75% would be $300, which is below $352.04, so the government would pay $300 and the enrollee $100.
The practical lesson is that the government share is capped. Once a plan’s premium climbs above the cap, every dollar of increase goes to you. That is why premium growth hits the enrollee share harder than the overall percentage.
FEHB Plans Leaving in 2027 and What Happens if You Do Nothing
Nine FEHB plans will not be offered next year. If you are enrolled in one of them, you must choose a new plan during open season. Otherwise OPM will enroll you automatically in the designated default plan, which is Compass Rose Standard for the FEHB plans that are ending, according to OPM’s highlights. One PSHB plan, UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus Primary Postal East, is also ending, with FEP Blue Focus as the default.
A default plan may not include your doctors, your prescriptions or your price range. If your plan is on the list, do not wait until the last week. The full list is in OPM’s Open Season Highlights for the 2027 plan year.
New Rule for 2027: Proof Required to Add a Spouse or Child
For 2027, all FEHB and PSHB carriers will require documentation proving eligibility for family members added during open season. That means a marriage certificate for a spouse, or a birth certificate or adoption papers for a child, along with any other documents your carrier lists. Verification is meant to remove ineligible people from coverage. The practical effect is that adding a family member takes more preparation, so gather documents before you start.
Pay Freeze vs Premium Hike: The Squeeze on Take-Home Pay
The proposed federal pay freeze for 2027 and the 10.9% average premium increase arrive in the same season. The administration has proposed no base or locality increase for most civilians, with a final decision expected in December, and Congress could still change it. If the freeze holds, a higher premium reduces take-home pay directly.
For active employees, FEHB premiums are usually paid before taxes, which softens the blow. An employee paying $250 per paycheck would owe about $27.25 more per paycheck at 10.9%, or roughly $709 a year, and about $553 after a 22% tax effect. Annuitants generally pay premiums after tax, so the full increase counts. Social Security and federal retiree COLA adjustments, which are expected to be about 3.5% for CSRS and about 2.5% for FERS, may not fully cover it.
| Example biweekly premium | 10.9% increase per paycheck | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| $150 | $16.35 | $425 |
| $250 | $27.25 | $709 |
| $350 | $38.15 | $992 |
How to Compare FEHB Plans for 2027?
Premiums are only one part of the picture. A cheaper plan with high deductibles can cost more if you use care.
Check the total cost: your premium plus the deductible, copays and out-of-pocket maximum. Confirm that your doctors and hospitals are in the network. Review your prescriptions on the formulary and see which tier they fall in. Look at the plan’s benefit changes in its brochure, which will be posted in early November. Consider whether a high deductible plan with a health savings account suits your health and budget. And note the plan’s quality ratings and customer service reviews.
OPM’s plan comparison tool becomes available in early November and lets you compare benefits side by side. Premium rates for each plan are already on OPM.gov.
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FEHB Open Season 2027 Calculator: Countdown, Premium Estimate and Your Share
The calculator attached to this article has three parts. At the top is a live countdown to the November 9 start and the December 14 end. The first tool estimates your premium change. Enter your current biweekly premium and an expected increase, which starts at 10.9%, and the tool shows your new biweekly and monthly premium, the increase per paycheck and per year, and the after-tax cost if you pay premiums before tax.
The second tool uses the government contribution formula. Choose Self Only, Self Plus One or Self and Family, enter the plan’s total biweekly premium from OPM’s rate chart and it computes the government share and your share, per pay period and per year. For example, a Self Only plan with a $560 total premium would give a government contribution of $352.04 and an enrollee share of $207.96 per pay period, or about $5,407 a year.
Both tools are estimates. Postal employees and some other groups have different rules, and your plan’s exact premium is on OPM.gov.
How to Enroll or Change Your FEHB Plan During Open Season?
You can enroll in, change or cancel FEHB, PSHB and FEDVIP coverage during open season, and eligible employees can also elect the Federal Flexible Spending Account Program, known as FSAFEDS. Here is how it works.
- Review the 2027 premiums on OPM.gov and compare plans using OPM’s online tool once it launches in early November.
- Decide whether to keep your plan, switch or change your enrollment type, for example from Self Only to Self Plus One.
- Gather documents if you are adding a spouse or child, such as a marriage or birth certificate.
- Make your election by December 14, 2026. Active employees generally use their agency’s self-service system, such as Employee Express. Annuitants use OPM’s Services Online or the retirement phone system, and postal employees use their own portal.
- Save your confirmation. Check your January pay statement or annuity statement to verify that the new premium and plan are correct.
- Review FEDVIP dental and vision options and FSAFEDS, which require a new election each year.
If you do nothing, your coverage continues into 2027 unless your plan is ending, according to OPM.
Processing Time: When Do Changes Take Effect and How Long Does It Take?
Online elections are usually processed quickly, and your confirmation page appears immediately. The enrollment becomes effective on the date shown in OPM’s table. For annuitants, that is January 1, 2027. For FEHB employees, it is the first pay period of January, which starts on January 10. For PSHB employees, it starts on January 24. New insurance cards from your plan usually arrive in December or early January. If you have not received a card by mid-January, contact your carrier.
If you make a mistake or miss the deadline, you generally cannot change plans until a qualifying life event or the next open season, so double check before you submit.
Payment Schedule: When Do the New Premiums Start?
Employees see the new premiums in their first paychecks of the new coverage period, beginning with the pay period that starts on January 10 for FEHB employees. Annuitants see the new premium in their January 2027 annuity payment. Premiums are deducted every pay period, usually 26 times a year for employees, and monthly for annuitants.
| Group | When the new premium starts |
|---|---|
| FEHB employees | First pay period of January, starting January 10, 2027 |
| PSHB employees | Pay period starting January 24, 2027 |
| FEHB annuitants | January 1, 2027 |
| PSHB annuitants | January 1, 2027 |
| FEDVIP | January 1, 2027 |
Retirees and Medicare: Two Different Deadlines
Federal annuitants who are 65 or older often have both FEHB and Medicare. Medicare’s annual open enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7, a week earlier than the FEHB window, so keep both dates in mind. Many retirees keep FEHB as a supplement to Medicare Part A and Part B, while some choose a Medicare Advantage plan or a Part D plan. The decision depends on your costs and health needs. The standard Medicare Part B premium is $202.90 in 2026 and is projected at $209.50 for 2027, so the combined cost of Part B and an FEHB plan is something to total up carefully.
FEDVIP and FSAFEDS: Don’t Forget Dental, Vision and Flexible Spending
FEDVIP enrollment carries over automatically unless you change it, and changes made during open season take effect on January 1, 2027. Dental premiums rise about 1% on average and vision about 1.6%, so the changes are modest. The Federal Flexible Spending Account Program does not carry over, so employees who want a health care or dependent care flexible spending account for 2027 need to enroll again during open season.
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Common Mistakes During FEHB Open Season
The most common errors are simple. People miss the deadline. They stay in a plan that is ending and get moved to a default plan. They choose a plan on premium alone and overlook the deductible. They forget to check that their doctors are still in network. They add a family member without the required documents. And they skip the confirmation step, then find out in January that their change was not recorded.
Beware of Open Season Scams
Open season attracts phone and email scams. OPM and your agency will not ask for payment by gift card, and no one needs your full Social Security number or bank login to compare plans. Use only OPM.gov and your agency’s official system. Be careful with unsolicited calls from people offering to switch you to a better plan for a fee, and report suspicious contacts to your agency’s security office and the FTC.
Official Websites and Resources
| Resource | What it does | Link |
|---|---|---|
| OPM open season page | Dates, highlights and news for the 2027 plan year | https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/open-season/ |
| OPM healthcare and insurance | FEHB program overview and plan information | https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/ |
| Employee Express | Many agencies’ employee self-service for enrollments | https://www.employeeexpress.gov |
| OPM Services Online | Annuitants make FEHB changes online | https://www.servicesonline.opm.gov |
| BENEFEDS | FEDVIP dental and vision enrollment | https://www.benefeds.com |
| FSAFEDS | Federal flexible spending accounts | https://www.fsafeds.gov |
| Medicare | Open enrollment and premium information | https://www.medicare.gov |
| OPM retirement services | Annuitant benefits and contact information | https://www.opm.gov/retirement-center/ |
FAQs About FEHB Open Season 2027 Dates
When is FEHB open season for 2027?
It runs from Monday, November 9 through Monday, December 14, 2026, for coverage that begins in the 2027 plan year.
When does FEHB open season start in 2026?
On November 9, 2026.
When does FEHB open season end?
On December 14, 2026.
How much will FEHB premiums go up in 2027?
Enrollees will pay 10.9% more on average for their share, according to OPM. The overall premium rises 9.3% on average.
Are FEHB premiums going up more than last year?
No. The 10.9% increase is lower than the 12.3% increase for 2026.
What are the FEHB changes for 2027?
Nine plans are leaving, family member documentation is required to add a spouse or child, and premiums rise on average by 10.9%.
When do FEHB changes take effect?
January 1, 2027 for annuitants, and the first pay period of January for most employees, starting January 10.
Do I have to do anything during open season?
No. Your coverage continues unless your plan is ending, but reviewing your options can save money.
What happens if my FEHB plan is terminated?
You must choose a new plan or you will be moved to the default plan, which is Compass Rose Standard for FEHB plans that are ending.
How much does the government pay for FEHB?
The lesser of 72% of the program-wide weighted average premium or 75% of your plan’s premium.
Can I change my FEHB plan outside open season?
Generally only after a qualifying life event.
Can I add a spouse during open season?
Yes, but you now need to submit documents proving eligibility.
Does FEHB open season cover dental and vision?
Yes. FEDVIP dental and vision enrollment happens during the same window.
Do I need to re-enroll in FSAFEDS?
Yes. Flexible spending account elections do not carry over.
Is Medicare open enrollment the same time as FEHB?
No. Medicare runs October 15 to December 7, which ends a week before FEHB.
Conclusion
The FEHB open season 2027 dates are November 9 through December 14, 2026, and the stakes are higher than usual. Enrollees will pay 10.9% more on average, nine plans are leaving, family member documentation is now required and most civilian employees are facing a proposed pay freeze. Start with the OPM premium charts, compare total costs and your doctors, use the calculator to see what the increase means for your paycheck and make your election before December 14. If you do nothing, coverage continues, but a few hours of review can protect your budget and your health care. We will update this guide when OPM releases the plan comparison tool and any new details.
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