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Your Benefits

As an Army civilian, you get a solid benefits package — health insurance, retirement, life insurance, paid leave, and more. Here’s what you have and how it works.

Health Insurance

You choose your own health plan from a large menu of options — HMOs, PPOs, and high-deductible plans. The government pays about 70–75% of your premium, and your share comes out of your paycheck pre-tax. Coverage starts the first day of the pay period after you enroll.

Dental and vision are separate — sign up through FEDVIP if you want them.

Compare FEHB plans on OPM.gov →

Retirement

If you were hired after 1984, you’re in FERS — a three-part retirement system:

1. Monthly pension — Based on your years of service and your average salary over your three highest-paid years
2. TSP (Thrift Savings Plan) — Like a 401(k). The Army puts in 1% of your pay automatically, whether or not you contribute. Contribute up to 3% and they match it dollar-for-dollar. Put in 4–5% and they match the rest at 50 cents on the dollar. Free money — use it.
3. Social Security — You pay in and collect just like private-sector workers

You can contribute to TSP as traditional (pre-tax) or Roth (after-tax). Enroll or change your contribution amount anytime through myPers.

Life Insurance

You’re automatically enrolled in basic term life insurance (FEGLI) equal to your annual salary plus $2,000, rounded up. You can add more coverage — for yourself, a spouse, or children — within 60 days of starting. After that, you’ll need a medical exam to add coverage.

Paid Leave

You earn vacation (annual leave) and sick leave every two weeks. How much vacation you earn depends on how long you’ve been in federal service:

How much vacation leave you earn per year

Years in Federal Service	Vacation Days Per Year
Under 3 years	13 days
3–14 years	20 days
15 years or more	26 days

Everyone earns 13 sick days per year, no matter how long you’ve worked. Sick leave never expires — it carries over indefinitely and can even count toward your retirement calculation.

Flexible Spending Accounts

You can put money aside pre-tax to pay for medical expenses or childcare costs. This lowers your taxable income and stretches your paycheck. There are three types — healthcare, limited healthcare (paired with an HSA-eligible plan), and dependent care. You sign up during Open Season each November.

More Benefits

Long-term care insurance

This covers costs if you ever need nursing home care, assisted living, or in-home care — expenses regular health insurance won’t pay for. New employees can apply within 60 days of starting without a medical exam. After that, you’ll need to go through underwriting. It’s worth looking into early, when premiums are lower.

Transit and commuter subsidy

If you commute by bus, metro, or commuter rail, the government can subsidize your monthly transit costs up to the IRS limit. Sign up through your installation transportation office. This is free money for your commute — take advantage of it.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Confidential support and referrals for personal or work-related issues — stress, family problems, financial worries, mental health. Details at the Army EAP site.

Know before you call: the Army’s EAP is not run the way most federal agencies run theirs. Some installations and posts do not have a trained mental health provider on staff — they’ll simply refer you to make an appointment with your own mental health provider through your health insurance. Ask your installation’s EAP coordinator what services actually exist where you work, so you’re not surprised when you need help.

Telework and flexible schedules

Depending on your job, you may be able to work from home some or all of the time, work a compressed schedule (like four 10-hour days), or use a flexible start/end time. Eligibility depends on your position and mission requirements. Talk to your supervisor about what’s available.

Links & Open Season

Last Updated: July 2026 · Not an official Army website.