Key Takeaways

  • Understanding your key benefit enrollment periods, deadlines, and mandatory actions in 2025 is essential for protecting your USPS healthcare and retirement benefits.

  • Missing certain dates could impact your eligibility, result in financial penalties, or delay access to essential coverage options.

Staying On Top of Your USPS Responsibilities in 2025

Whether you’re actively employed or retired from the United States Postal Service, 2025 brings several important deadlines that directly impact your benefits, healthcare, and financial security. These are not just routine calendar items—they are critical for maintaining your coverage, adjusting your options, or complying with program rules.

Knowing when to act allows you to make smarter decisions without unnecessary stress. Here’s a full breakdown of the dates that matter most this year.

Medicare Part B: Enrollment Obligations and Exceptions

Starting January 1, 2025, the new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program officially replaces your FEHB plan. This means your relationship with Medicare matters more than ever.

Who Must Enroll in Medicare Part B in 2025

If you are a USPS annuitant or a family member who is already eligible for Medicare, you may be required to enroll in Medicare Part B to maintain your PSHB coverage. However, the rule has exceptions:

  • If you retired on or before January 1, 2025, you are exempt.

  • If you were actively employed and age 64 or older as of January 1, 2025, you are also exempt.

Missed the Initial Enrollment? Here’s the Special Enrollment Period

If you were notified in 2024 that you must enroll in Part B, your Special Enrollment Period (SEP) ran from April 1 through September 30, 2024. Those who missed that SEP may still be eligible for enrollment during Medicare’s General Enrollment Period, which runs from January 1 to March 31, 2025, but coverage does not start until July 1—and penalties could apply.

PSHB Open Season: Your Window to Make Plan Changes

The Open Season for the PSHB Program happens every year from November to December, and in 2025, that window remains critical.

During Open Season, you can:

  • Switch from one PSHB plan to another.

  • Add or remove eligible family members.

  • Update your enrollment type (Self Only, Self Plus One, Self and Family).

Why Open Season Matters

This is your only guaranteed chance each year to adjust your health plan unless you experience a Qualifying Life Event (QLE) like marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child.

FEDVIP and FLTCIP: Independent but Still Important

While PSHB replaces FEHB, your Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) and Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) remain separate.

  • FEDVIP Open Season aligns with PSHB: November to December 2025.

  • FLTCIP Enrollment remains suspended for new applicants in 2025. Current enrollees retain coverage.

Don’t forget that changes to these plans must also occur during Open Season unless you qualify for a life event exception.

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): Deadlines That Impact Retirement Savings

Annual Contribution Deadlines

In 2025, the TSP annual elective deferral limit is $23,500, and the catch-up contribution limit is $7,500 for those aged 50 and over.

Make sure to:

  • Adjust your contributions before December 31, 2025 to take full advantage.

  • Monitor your agency’s payroll processing deadlines to ensure changes are implemented on time.

Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)

If you are a retiree who turned 73 in 2024, your first RMD is due by April 1, 2025. If you turned 73 in 2025, your RMD deadline is April 1, 2026.

Federal Employee Group Life Insurance (FEGLI): Timely Decisions

While FEGLI doesn’t have an annual open season every year, if one is announced in 2025, you will want to:

  • Review coverage levels.

  • Evaluate premium changes.

  • Decide whether to increase or decrease coverage.

Changes outside open seasons generally require a qualifying event or proof of insurability.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAFEDS): Use It or Lose It

If you elected a Health Care or Dependent Care FSA in 2025:

  • Funds must be used by December 31, 2025.

  • You may carry over up to $660 of unused healthcare FSA funds into 2026 (if your plan allows).

Make sure to:

  • Submit reimbursement claims before the grace period ends (typically March 31, 2026).

  • Monitor your account to avoid forfeiting funds.

Key Dates for Active USPS Employees

Leave Year 2025

For USPS employees, the leave year typically begins in early January and ends in early January of the following year. The exact end date for Leave Year 2025 is January 9, 2026.

You must:

  • Use your annual leave before this date to avoid losing any excess leave over the carryover limit (usually 440 hours).

Performance Evaluations and Step Increases

Throughout the year, supervisors conduct mid-year reviews and year-end evaluations, both of which can impact:

  • Step increases

  • Merit-based promotions

Dates vary by district, but it’s best to check with your HR representative in early spring and fall 2025.

Important Retirement Milestones

If you’re planning to retire in 2025, here are important dates you’ll want to keep in mind:

  • Submit your retirement application at least 90 days in advance of your retirement date.

  • Coordinate your TSP withdrawal strategy no later than December 1, 2025, if you plan to begin distributions in the same year.

  • Schedule your pre-retirement counseling session through HR at least six months prior to your retirement date.

COLA Adjustments and Notices

Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) typically take effect in January, and you’ll receive notification from OPM or Social Security in December 2025 about changes to your benefits starting in January 2026.

These adjustments apply to:

Open Enrollment Notifications and Materials

Expect to receive printed or digital materials about PSHB Open Season in October 2025. Make sure to:

  • Review plan comparison tools.

  • Attend virtual or in-person benefits fairs if available.

  • Confirm your current plan still meets your needs.

Be Ready Throughout the Year

Here’s a recap of the most critical USPS-related dates to keep handy:

  • January 1 – March 31: Medicare General Enrollment Period

  • April 1: Deadline for RMDs if you turned 73 in 2024

  • October: Receive PSHB Open Season materials

  • November – December: Open Season for PSHB and FEDVIP

  • December 1: Finalize TSP withdrawal if retiring

  • December 31: Deadline to use FSA funds and make TSP contributions

  • January 9, 2026: End of Leave Year 2025

Mark Your Calendar—and Take Action Early

In 2025, being proactive about these deadlines can make a significant difference in the health coverage, retirement income, and benefits you receive as a USPS employee or retiree. Don’t wait until the last minute.

Have questions about what steps to take or how these dates affect your situation? Get in touch with a licensed agent listed on this website for professional guidance tailored to your needs.