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For most federal employees, comparing 2027 FEHB Self Only vs. Self Plus One vs. Self and Family, Self Only is the cheapest tier. Self Plus One is the middle option for two-person households. Self and Family is the most expensive for groups of three or more.
The important twist for 2027: in a specific list of plans published by OPM, Self and Family actually costs less than Self Plus One. Couples should run the numbers inside their own plan before defaulting to the "couple" tier.
FEHB, the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, is the health insurance program administered by OPM, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. It covers roughly 8 million federal employees, retirees, and dependents.
According to the Office of Personnel Management, federal employees and retirees will pay an average of 10.9% more toward their FEHB premiums beginning in January 2027. The overall average FEHB premium, when the government and enrollee share are combined, rises 9.3%.
This marks the third year in a row of double-digit premium increases in FEHB. OPM reported a 13.5% average enrollee-share increase for 2025, 12.3% for 2026, and 10.9% for 2027.
This guide, published by Federal Pension Advisors, a retirement planning firm specializing in federal employee benefits, walks through how the three enrollment tiers compare in 2027. It covers the specific plans where Self Plus One costs more than Self and Family and the steps to run before Open Season closes on December 14, 2026. All plan-specific rates below come from OPM's 2027 FEHB premium rate charts.
Direct Answer: Which 2027 FEHB Tier Costs Less?
Self Only costs the least across almost every 2027 FEHB plan because premiums scale with the number of people covered. Self Plus One is usually the middle tier for couples or an employee plus one child. Self and Family is usually the highest tier for an employee plus a spouse and dependents.
The documented exception covers roughly three dozen 2027 plans. In those plans, the Self and Family enrollee share actually falls below the Self Plus One enrollee share. Two nationwide examples are Mail Handlers Benefit Plan (MHBP) Standard Option and the Foreign Service Benefit Plan High Option.
OPM publishes the authoritative list on its 2027 premium rates page. Independent analyses vary slightly in their counts because they group plan options differently. The plan-by-plan check against OPM's chart is what matters.
How FEHB Premiums Work in 2027
Your 2027 FEHB premium is the plan's total cost minus the government's contribution. Under the "Fair Share" formula set in federal law and summarized in OPM's 2027 Open Season Highlights, the government pays the lesser of two amounts.
The first is 72% of the program-wide weighted average premium for your enrollment tier. The second is 75% of the total premium for the plan you select. You pay the remainder.
Two concepts drive the formula. Don't confuse them:
- The 72% weighted-average contribution limit sets the fixed dollar maximum the government will contribute for your enrollment tier, regardless of which plan you pick. According to OPM, the 2027 biweekly cap is $352.04 for Self Only, $767.53 for Self Plus One, and $843.82 for Self and Family.
- The 75%-of-plan-premium limit says the government will never pay more than 75% of your specific plan's total premium, even when the dollar cap would be higher.
That works out to a simple two-case rule. If 75% of your plan's total premium is below the applicable government contribution limit, the government pays 75% of the premium and you pay the remaining 25%.
If 75% of your plan's total premium exceeds the applicable government contribution limit, the government pays up to that limit. You pay the remaining premium.
2027 FEHB Enrollment Tier Comparison Table
The table below shows 2027 biweekly enrollee premiums for seven nationwide FEHB plan options across all three enrollment tiers. All figures are from OPM's 2027 FEHB premium rate charts published September 30, 2026, with per-tier analysis by Federal News Network, FedTools, and My Federal Retirement.
*In MHBP Standard Option, Self and Family costs $41.99 less per paycheck than Self Plus One in 2027.
Three patterns emerge across the full 2027 rate charts. Self Only is cheaper than Self Plus One in every plan.
Self Plus One is cheaper than Self and Family in most plans, but not all. Federal News Network identified 38 FEHB plans for 2027 where Self and Family enrollment is less expensive. My Federal Retirement's parallel analysis counted 39, with the small gap attributable to how each counted overlapping Aetna options. Because health insurance costs are only one part of retirement planning, federal employees may also benefit from reviewing their broader financial needs and available federal retirement planning services before making long-term benefit decisions.
OPM's own exception chart on the 2027 premiums page is the authoritative source.
Premium increases hit all three tiers but not evenly. The plan-by-plan median 2027 increase is 5.9% for Self Only, 6.3% for Self Plus One, and 5.5% for Self and Family.
A smaller number of plans posted outsized increases. MHBP Standard Option is the most prominent example, covered in detail below. Its 2027 changes aren't representative of typical FEHB premium movement.
Self Only in 2027: Who It Fits and What It Costs
Self Only covers one person: the enrolled federal employee or annuitant. It's the lowest-premium tier in every 2027 FEHB plan. It's the right choice for employees who are single, who have no eligible dependents, or whose spouse holds superior coverage through another employer.
For reference, Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) Service Benefit Plan Standard Option, the largest single plan in FEHB, rises from $188.32 biweekly in 2026 to $204.65 in 2027. That's a $16.33 increase per paycheck, or roughly $425 per year, according to OPM's 2027 rate charts.
Among 2027 nationwide fee-for-service plans, Compass Rose Health Plan Standard Option is the lowest-cost Self Only option at $69.04 biweekly. According to the current Compass Rose FEHB brochure (RI 71-028), Compass Rose is now open to all federal employees and annuitants eligible for FEHB. As you compare health coverage costs, it may also be helpful to review your projected retirement income. Use the FERS Supplement Calculator to estimate your potential supplement if you qualify.
The plan expanded beyond its historical Intelligence Community, DoD, DHS, State, and VA base in 2025. OPM will likely post the 2027 brochure to its plan information portal in early November 2026.
FEP Blue Focus at $74.16 biweekly is the next-lowest nationwide Self Only option. It carries a narrower provider network and higher deductibles than BCBS Standard. The 2027 Self Only deductible is $1,000, up $250 from 2026.
Low-premium plans typically shift more cost onto the enrollee at the point of care. Compare each plan's brochure for deductibles, copays, and out-of-pocket maximums before switching.
When Self Only makes sense in 2027: when you're single, when a spouse has superior coverage through their own employer, or when you have no dependents to cover under a federal plan.
Self Plus One in 2027: When Two-Person Coverage Pays Off
Self Plus One covers the enrolled employee plus one eligible family member, typically a spouse or a single eligible child. OPM states that all FEHB plans offer Self Only, Self Plus One, and Self and Family enrollment. Each plan prices each tier separately.
For 2027, BCBS Standard Option Self Plus One is $449.89 biweekly. That's up $39.01 (+9.5%) from 2026, or about $1,014 more per year, per My Federal Retirement's analysis of OPM's rate charts.
BCBS Basic Option Self Plus One is $350.48 biweekly. FEP Blue Focus Self Plus One is $159.43 biweekly.
OPM created Self Plus One in 2016 to give couples and single-parent households a tier that didn't force them to pay family-tier rates for one dependent. In most plans the design works as intended. When comparing coverage options, federal employees can also use these federal retirement planning checklists to review health benefits and other important retirement decisions.
But carriers price each tier independently based on their own enrollment experience. Some plans have ended up with Self Plus One priced near Self and Family. In a growing number of 2027 cases, Self Plus One costs more than Self and Family.
When Self Plus One makes sense in 2027: when exactly two people need federal coverage and the specific plan prices Self Plus One below Self and Family. Confirm the math inside your plan before enrolling.
Self and Family in 2027: The Default for Larger Households
Self and Family covers the enrolled employee plus all eligible family members, including a spouse and unmarried dependent children under age 26. Federal employees planning for retirement should also estimate their potential retirement income. The FERS Supplement Calculator can help eligible employees estimate this temporary benefit before Social Security eligibility begins.
For 2027, BCBS Standard Option Self and Family is $496.90 biweekly, up $39.24 (+8.6%) from 2026. That's about $12,919 per year, per OPM's 2027 rate charts.
BCBS Basic Option Self and Family is $387.54 biweekly, roughly $10,076 per year. FEP Blue Focus Self and Family is $175.35 biweekly, or about $4,559 per year.
The government's maximum Self and Family contribution ($843.82 biweekly in 2027) is 76.29higherthantheSelfPlusOnecap(767.53). Choosing Self and Family also increases the dollar subsidy you receive.
In plans where the total family premium is only modestly higher than the two-person premium, that larger subsidy can flip the enrollee math in favor of Self and Family.
According to Federal News Network's analysis of 2027 rates, families switching from BCBS Standard to BCBS Basic would save $2,843 next year. Families switching from Standard to FEP Blue Focus would save $8,360.
These figures reflect annual Self and Family premium differences only across 26 biweekly deductions, not total healthcare costs. Deductibles, copays, and out-of-pocket maximums vary significantly across the three plans and can shift the real-world comparison in either direction.
When Self and Family Costs Less Than Self Plus One in 2027
In most 2027 FEHB plans, Self and Family costs more than Self Plus One. In a specific group of plans flagged by OPM, that order flips. Two nationwide examples make the pattern concrete. Since health insurance premiums can affect your take-home pay, use the federal paycheck calculator to estimate how benefit deductions and other withholdings may affect your net income.
Mail Handlers Benefit Plan (MHBP) Standard Option is the clearest 2027 case. FedTools' analysis of OPM's 2027 rate files shows the biweekly enrollee share rose as follows:
The government's biweekly maximum contribution is lower for Self Plus One (767.53)thanforSelfandFamily(843.82). MHBP Standard's two total premiums are close in dollar terms, so the enrollee share flips.
Self Plus One costs $41.99 more per paycheck than Self and Family, about $1,091.74 per year. These MHBP changes are specific to that plan. Most 2027 plans posted single-digit percentage changes.
Foreign Service Benefit Plan High Option charges $46.70 more biweekly for Self Plus One than for Self and Family in 2027. That's roughly $1,214 per year, according to My Federal Retirement.
OPM has long noted that the enrollee share for the Self Plus One enrollment type may be higher than for the Self and Family enrollment type in some plans. OPM publishes a dedicated chart identifying those plans.
Part of what drives the pattern: carriers price each tier against its own cost pool. Plans whose Self Plus One population skews older or higher-cost can see Self Plus One claims experience outpace Self and Family claims experience. But readers should treat enrollment experience as one possible driver rather than the sole cause.
If you're comparing FEHB enrollment options as part of your retirement planning, book a free consultation to discuss how your health coverage choices may fit into your broader retirement strategy.
Practical rule for 2027: if you're a couple, don't default to Self Plus One. Compare your plan's exact 2027 Self Plus One and Self and Family biweekly rates on OPM.gov side by side.
If Self and Family is lower, you can elect it to cover a two-person household. OPM states that enrollees who wish to cover one eligible family member are free to elect either enrollment type.
How to Compare Your 2027 FEHB Options Before December 14
The 2026 Federal Benefits Open Season for the 2027 plan year runs from November 9 through December 14, 2026. Effective dates differ by enrollee type. As you review your health coverage options and expected expenses, it’s also worth understanding how a proposed pay freeze could affect your retirement income. Learn more about how a federal pay freeze could affect your FERS High-3 calculation and what it may mean for your retirement planning.
For most non-postal active federal employees, Open Season elections take effect on the first pay period beginning on or after January 10, 2027. For annuitants, elections generally take effect January 1, 2027. Confirm the date for your enrollment group in OPM's Open Season materials.
A straightforward sequence for comparing your 2027 options:
- Pull your current 2026 biweekly or monthly premium from a recent Leave and Earnings Statement or annuity statement.
- Look up the 2027 rate for the same plan and tier on OPM's 2027 FEHB premium rate charts.
- Calculate your annual dollar change by subtracting the 2026 rate from the 2027 rate and multiplying by 26 pay periods (biweekly) or 12 months (annuity).
- Compare Self Plus One and Self and Family inside your plan if you have one eligible dependent. Don't default to Self Plus One in 2027.
- Use the OPM Plan Comparison Tool at OPM.gov after brochures release in early November. Compare 2027 premiums, deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, and prescription benefits.
Open Season is the one annual window to switch plans without a qualifying life event. Confirm total expected cost including deductibles and copays before switching, not premium alone.
2027 FEHB Self Only vs. Self Plus One vs. Self and Family: What to Check Before December 14
Across the 2027 FEHB rate charts, Self Only is the cheapest tier in every plan. Self Plus One is usually the next step up, and Self and Family is usually the most expensive. When evaluating software for business use, understanding the differences between traditional SaaS and AI-native SaaS can help organizations compare platform capabilities and make informed technology decisions.
The enrollee share is up 10.9% on average per OPM, with double-digit premium increases now three years running. The roughly three dozen plans where Self and Family is cheaper than Self Plus One matter more than they did when the gaps were smaller.
Before Open Season closes on December 14, 2026, confirm your 2027 premium on OPM's 2027 FEHB premium rate charts. Run the Self Plus One vs. Self and Family comparison inside your plan if you have one eligible dependent.
Weigh deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums alongside the premium number. For personalized help thinking through your 2027 election, contact Federal Pension Advisors.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much are FEHB premiums increasing in 2027?
Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) enrollee premiums are increasing by an average of 10.9% in 2027, according to OPM. Actual increases vary by plan and enrollment tier.
2. When is FEHB Open Season for 2027?
The 2026 Federal Benefits Open Season runs from November 9 through December 14, 2026. Eligible employees and annuitants can change plans or enrollment tiers during this period.
3. Can Self and Family coverage cost less than Self Plus One?
Yes. Some FEHB plans charge less for Self and Family coverage than for Self Plus One. Compare both premium rates before choosing your enrollment tier.
4. Which FEHB plan is cheapest in 2027?
There is no single cheapest FEHB plan for everyone. Premiums, provider networks, deductibles, copayments, and prescription coverage vary. Compare total expected healthcare costs before enrolling.
5. Can I change my FEHB plan during Open Season?
Yes. Eligible employees and annuitants can generally switch plans, change enrollment tiers, or cancel coverage during Open Season, subject to applicable enrollment rules.
Disclaimer:
This article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, legal, or insurance advice. FEHB premiums, plan benefits, eligibility rules, and enrollment requirements may change. Premium examples are based on available 2027 plan rate information and may vary by plan and enrollment tier. Verify current rates, coverage details, and eligibility directly with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and your plan provider before making enrollment decisions. Federal Pension Advisors is an independent retirement planning firm and is not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM or any U.S. government agency.
