Retiree Turns 65 but Spouse or Children Are Younger: What Happens with Tricare for Life?

One of the most common points of confusion is what happens when a military retiree reaches age 65 but their spouse or dependent children are still younger. Does the whole family switch to Tricare for Life (TFL)? The short answer: no. Each family member transitions based on their own eligibility.

What Happens When the Retiree Turns 65?

• At 65, the retiree must enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B.

• Once both parts are active and DEERS is updated, the retiree’s Tricare coverage automatically becomes Tricare for Life.

• Medicare becomes the primary payer, and TFL becomes the secondary payer, filling most of the remaining costs.

What Happens to the Younger Spouse?

• If the spouse is under 65, they remain on Tricare Prime or Tricare Select.

• Their coverage does not end or change just because the retiree moves into TFL.

• When the spouse turns 65, they must also enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B. At that point, they will transition into Tricare for Life.

What Happens to Dependent Children?

• Children continue their coverage under Tricare Prime or Tricare Select.

• They stay eligible until they age out (21, or 23 if a full-time student).

• After aging out, they may purchase Tricare Young Adult if desired.

How Premiums Work in This Scenario

Here’s where families often get confused:

• No Premiums for the Retiree on TFL - Once in TFL, the retiree no longer pays Tricare Prime/Select enrollment fees. Their cost is just their Medicare Part B premium.

• Family Premiums Continue for Spouse/Children -The spouse and children who remain on Tricare Prime or Select must still pay premiums (you can read more on this here):

  • If only the spouse is covered → single-rate premium.

  • If the spouse and children are covered → family-rate premium.

• No Double Billing - You won’t be charged both a retiree premium and a family premium. The premium is only based on who is still enrolled in Prime or Select.

Real-Life Examples:

• Case 1: Retiree 65, spouse 62, no children at home

  • Retiree → Moves into TFL, pays Medicare Part B.

  • Spouse → Remains on Tricare Prime at the single-rate premium until age 65, then transitions into TFL with Medicare Parts A & B.

• Case 2: Retiree 65, spouse 60, two kids (ages 14 and 17)

  • Retiree → Covered under TFL, no Tricare premium.

  • Spouse + children → Covered under Tricare Prime at the family-rate premium until kids age out (or until spouse reaches 65).

Key Takeaways

• The retiree moves into TFL at 65 with Medicare A & B.

• Spouse and children stay on Tricare Prime/Select until they reach their own eligibility milestones.

• Premiums adjust based on who remains on Tricare Prime/Select (single or family rate).

• No one loses coverage, it simply looks different for each family member depending on age and eligibility.

Bottom Line: When the retiree turns 65, they move into Tricare for Life. Younger spouses and children remain on Tricare Prime or Select, and their premiums continue based on single or family coverage. Families should plan for this “split coverage” period so there are no surprises.