Federal and Postal Benefits

Quiet week, big signals

For the week of September 16 through September 22, federal and postal benefits did not see a major rule change. FERS, CSRS, TSP limits, Social Security calculations, FEGLI, FMLA, disability retirement, and FECA rates stayed put.

Still, several updates deserve attention, especially if you use FEHB or PSHB.

OPM asked for feedback on health-plan choice

OPM is asking for public feedback on whether FEHB and PSHB should offer more, fewer, or different health plan choices in future years. For 2026, OPM lists 132 FEHB plan options from 47 carriers and 75 PSHB options from 17 carriers. OPM wants to know whether the current menu helps families compare coverage, control costs, and find value.

No one needs to change coverage because of this request. It does not change your upcoming 2027 Open Season choices. OPM has started asking a practical question: does the current health-insurance menu help federal and postal families make good decisions, or has it become too crowded?

If you have strong opinions about plan choice, OPM will accept public comments through November 16, 2026.

Read the FEHB and PSHB retirement guide.

Health-data oversight moved back into view

Health data also moved back into the spotlight. Several U.S. senators raised concerns about OPM's plan to collect detailed medical and pharmacy claims information from FEHB and PSHB carriers. OPM says it needs claims data for oversight, fraud detection, cost analysis, and plan monitoring. Critics want stronger safeguards around sensitive health details.

For employees and retirees, no benefit election changes because of this dispute. The issue comes down to oversight and privacy: how much individual-level information OPM needs, who can access it, and how agencies protect it.

Employee surveys are not deadline substitutes

OPM also requested comments on a new Annual Employee Survey. Federal employees will still receive workplace surveys, but agencies now have more responsibility for how they collect and report that information. Use those surveys for workplace feedback, but do not treat them as a substitute for an EEO complaint, grievance, OWCP claim, reasonable-accommodation request, FMLA request, or appeal deadline.

USPS side-business reminder

For USPS employees, another reminder landed this week: postal property is not a marketplace for side businesses. A side business can be fine. Using work time, a uniform, USPS property, official email, or your postal position to promote it can create ethics trouble. If the line feels blurry, ask the USPS Ethics Office before acting.

Wait for official premium numbers

One more caution: do not believe random 2027 FEHB or PSHB premium numbers yet. As of September 23, OPM had not released the official 2027 enrollee premium tables. Once those rates come out, look past the headline percentage. Your household cost depends on your plan, enrollment tier, location, deductible, prescriptions, provider network, and Medicare coordination.

COLA math still needed one more number

Federal retirees are also waiting on one key inflation number. The September CPI-W release, scheduled for October 14, will complete the 2027 COLA calculation. Current estimates sit near 3.5% for CSRS and 2.5% for eligible FERS retirees, based on data through August. Those numbers can still change.

For FERS retirees, the COLA formula can create a gap when inflation runs above 3%. On a $45,000 pension, a 2.5% increase instead of 3.5% equals about $450 less in the first year. Over a long retirement, repeated gaps can affect purchasing power.

Review federal and postal retirement planning services.

Your takeaway

The practical move this week: stay alert, but do not overreact. Wait for official 2027 premium tables. Wait for the final CPI-W number. During Open Season, compare the plan your household uses against the plan you keep out of habit.

For federal and postal families, the best decision often comes from checking the details before the deadline does the choosing for you.

Sources

• Federal Register: FEHB Program: Optimizing FEHB Plan Offerings
• Federal Register: Annual Employee Survey notice
• Federal Register: FEHB and PSHB Service Use and Cost Data notice
• OPM health rate timing FAQ
• OPM COLA FAQ
• BLS CPI release schedule
• USPS employee news, September 22, 2026
• Federal News Network reporting on OPM health data concerns

This article is for educational purposes only and should not be treated as financial, tax, legal, investment, insurance, or benefits advice. Federal benefits rules, plan premiums, agency procedures, and eligibility details can change. Verify benefit decisions with OPM, USPS, your agency benefits office, your plan carrier, and qualified tax, legal, or financial professionals before acting. Life Capitalized Financial is not affiliated with OPM, USPS, the TSP, Social Security Administration, Bureau of Labor Statistics, or any federal agency.

Investment advisory services offered through Hornor, Townsend and Kent, LLC (HTK), Registered Investment Adviser, Member SIPC. Life Capitalized Financial LLC is not affiliated with HTK. See disclosures and Form ADV at www.htk.com.

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