Retirement Center
Plain-language explainers on military retirement pay, VA benefits, TRICARE, and transition planning — each reviewed against official sources. Benefits information is educational only and does not replace official guidance from your service, DFAS, VA, or TRICARE. Checklists are planning aids and do not replace official service requirements. This platform does not provide tax, investment, legal, medical, or individualized claims advice, and does not predict disability ratings or VA outcomes.
Looking for the source sites themselves? Browse the free Official Resources directory (DoD-wide and by service).
TRICARE After Military Retirement — Overview
Retiree TRICARE options depend on age, Medicare status, and family eligibility; updating DEERS and confirming enrollment steps before separation helps avoid coverage gaps.
TRICARE For Life and Medicare Coordination
TRICARE For Life provides wraparound coverage to Medicare with no separate TRICARE enrollment fee once a retiree becomes entitled to Medicare Part A and enrolls in Medicare Part B, typically around age 65.
TRICARE Options After Retirement
Retirees generally shift from active-duty TRICARE coverage to TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select, with different enrollment fees and cost-shares than active-duty families pay.