Model the lifetime cost of “FEHB only” vs “FEHB + Part B” for your specific situation.
How the FEHB vs Medicare Part B Cost Calculator Works
Enter your FEHB monthly premium, your expected annual out-of-pocket cost under FEHB alone, your income tier (which drives IRMAA), and the number of years to model. The calculator projects side-by-side cumulative costs of “FEHB only” vs “FEHB + Part B” using the standard 2026 Medicare Part B premium ($185/month for standard income tier) plus IRMAA surcharges where applicable.
The “reduction in out-of-pocket” slider models how much your FEHB deductibles and copays effectively disappear when Medicare Part B is primary. Most FEHB plans waive 85% to 95% of cost-sharing when Medicare is primary; 90% is a reasonable default. If your FEHB plan does not waive cost-sharing with Medicare primary, reduce this to 25% or 50%.
The results assume 2026 premiums held constant in real terms across the modeled period. FEHB and Part B premiums both rise each year — but they rise roughly together, so the relative comparison remains stable. IRMAA thresholds also adjust annually with inflation.
This calculator is provided as an educational tool for federal employees in the Denver metro area and across the Colorado Front Range. For a complete monthly retirement income projection, request a personalized Federal Retirement Report.
What Your FEHB and Part B Decision Means
The FEHB and Medicare Part B decision at 65 is one of the biggest recurring-cost decisions of retirement. The calculator shows what happens if you enroll in Part B versus skip it. The specific right answer depends on your health, your income, and your FEHB plan.
The right decision depends on your specific family situation — spouse income after your death, available retirement savings, whether private insurance is underwritable at your age and health, and whether you plan to work in retirement.
This calculator is one piece of a broader retirement plan. It does not model your FERS pension, TSP withdrawal strategy, Social Security timing, or FERS Supplement — all of which interact with the decision this calculator addresses.
For federal employees who want a broader overview of how the pieces fit together, our Federal Retirement Workshop walks through every major federal benefit program in plain language.
For a complete Medicare and FEHB decision walkthrough combined with your FERS pension, TSP, and Social Security timing, request a personalized Federal Retirement Report. Learn more about our approach and what makes Stonebridge Capital Management different.
What You Get When You Work With Stonebridge
A Personalized Federal Retirement Roadmap
We bring together your pension, TSP, FEHB, FEGLI, survivor benefits, Social Security, and retirement timing into one coordinated retirement plan. You’ll see where you stand today, the options available to you, your projected retirement income, and a retirement timeline you can move toward with confidence.
Plain-Language Guidance, Not Sales Pressure
Federal retirement is complicated enough without jargon, sales tactics, or manufactured urgency. We explain your options clearly, answer your questions honestly, and help you understand the trade-offs before making decisions. Decisions happen at your pace, not ours.
Colorado-Based Federal Retirement Specialists
Stonebridge is based in the Denver metro area and serves federal employees throughout Colorado’s Front Range. Meet with us in person at our Inverness office or virtually from anywhere in Colorado. When questions arise, you’ll have a local team you can reach, not a national call center.
Get Your Personalized Federal Retirement Report
The Federal Retirement Report is designed to help you understand where you stand today and what decisions may lie ahead. Built around your service history, benefits, and retirement goals, it provides a personalized analysis of your pension, TSP, healthcare benefits, survivor elections, retirement income, and other key planning considerations.
There is no cost and no obligation. It is simply a practical way to gain clarity before making important retirement decisions.
