The Postal Service reform legislation that President Biden signed into law on April 6 will involve changes to employees’ health and retirement benefits.
USPS understands that employees have many questions, so here are a few things to know:
• The law establishes the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program, which will provide health insurance to USPS career employees, retirees and their dependents, beginning Jan. 1, 2025.
• The PSHB program, to be administered by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, will be structured similarly to the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program. The employer/employee cost-sharing contributions for premiums will be determined by the Postal Service’s collective bargaining and pay consultation processes.
• USPS employees and retirees can make their PSHB plan selections during the open season benefits enrollment period that occurs in November and December 2024.
• Beginning in January 2025, the new law will require all newly Medicare-eligible USPS annuitants and their Medicare-eligible covered family members to enroll in Medicare Part B to maintain their postal health coverage.
The Postal Service will provide employees and retirees with more detailed information about the PSHB program in the months to come.
