Key Takeaways

• In 2025, USPS employees and retirees must rely on specific portals to manage and update their health benefits under the new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program.

• Knowing when and how to use each portal ensures timely enrollment, eligibility tracking, and plan management, helping you avoid missed deadlines or coverage lapses.

Why USPS Portals Matter More Than Ever in 2025

This year marks a major shift in how you, as a USPS employee or retiree, access and manage your health benefits. The transition from the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program to the new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program means that the digital portals offered by USPS and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) are more important than ever.

If you don’t actively use the right portals, you could easily miss enrollment deadlines, misunderstand new Medicare coordination rules, or lose access to critical documents. Let’s walk through the USPS platforms available to you in 2025—and how each plays a role in securing your healthcare benefits.

1. LiteBlue: Your Go-To Platform as an Active USPS Employee

As an active USPS employee, LiteBlue is your main digital gateway for managing PSHB enrollment.

What You Can Do on LiteBlue

• Enroll in or make changes to your PSHB health plan during Open Season (November to December).

• Access your PSHB plan details, confirmation letters, and changes.

• Verify dependent eligibility and update family member information.

• Review benefit summaries and understand cost-sharing responsibilities.

When to Use LiteBlue

• During Open Season.

• After a Qualifying Life Event (QLE) such as marriage, divorce, birth, or adoption.

• When you’re approaching retirement and need to start coordinating your benefits.

2. KeepingPosted.org: The Portal for USPS Retirees

If you’re a retired USPS worker, your main hub is no longer LiteBlue. Instead, you’ll need to use KeepingPosted.org, specifically designed for annuitants.

What You Can Do on KeepingPosted.org

• Access your PSHB plan documents, including current enrollment status.

• Review instructions on Medicare Part B requirements under PSHB.

• Stay up to date with newsletters and updates from OPM and USPS.

• Contact support for issues related to annuitant benefits.

When to Use KeepingPosted.org

• Anytime you want to confirm your PSHB enrollment.

• When you receive notifications about changes to your coverage or plan requirements.

• If you’re evaluating your Medicare enrollment coordination for continued coverage.

3. OPM’s Benefeds and Retirement Services Website

Beyond USPS-managed platforms, the OPM websites are essential for retirees or employees transitioning to retirement.

Key Functions

• Manage Federal Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) enrollment through Benefeds.

• Check the status of your retirement application.

• Update your mailing address, direct deposit, and life insurance designations.

• Download retirement-related tax forms and annuity statements.

Why This Still Matters

Even though you’re part of the new PSHB system, your other federal benefits like FEDVIP and life insurance are still managed through OPM. Ignoring these platforms can lead to missed benefit opportunities or gaps in coverage.

4. Medicare.gov and SSA.gov: For Medicare Coordination

If you are Medicare-eligible, you are likely required to enroll in Medicare Part B in order to keep full PSHB benefits. The coordination between Medicare and PSHB is critical in 2025.

Use Medicare.gov to:

• Enroll in Medicare Part A and B.

• Compare and review coverage.

• Track your claims and coverage status.

Use SSA.gov to:

• Apply for Medicare.

• Check your Social Security benefits.

• Update personal information and monitor your eligibility.

Timeline to Watch

• You typically become eligible for Medicare at age 65.

• In 2025, if you retired on or before January 1, you may be exempt from the PSHB Medicare Part B requirement.

• For everyone else, Medicare Part B enrollment is generally mandatory if you’re Medicare-eligible and want to keep your PSHB plan active.

5. The PSHB Navigator Helpline and Resources

In addition to self-service portals, USPS and OPM provide telephone and online support resources for your benefit questions. One of the key resources in 2025 is the PSHB Navigator Helpline.

What It Offers

• Answers to questions about eligibility, enrollment, and plan features.

• Help navigating your options based on your employment or retirement status.

• Assistance during Open Season and with Medicare-related coordination.

When to Use It

• If you’re confused about your Medicare obligation.

• When facing a QLE and unsure how it affects your PSHB plan.

• During Open Season, if you’re comparing plan options.

How Each Portal Fits Into a Timeline

January through October:

• Use LiteBlue or KeepingPosted.org to verify your current enrollment and make updates after QLEs.

• Monitor Medicare.gov and SSA.gov if approaching age 65.

• Contact the PSHB Navigator with questions in preparation for Open Season.

November to December:

• Use LiteBlue (for employees) or KeepingPosted.org (for retirees) to make PSHB changes during Open Season.

• Revisit Medicare.gov to ensure you’re enrolled in Part B if required.

• Access Benefeds if you also want to make changes to dental or vision benefits.

Understanding the Importance of Deadlines

Missing an enrollment window or failing to comply with Medicare Part B requirements could mean losing your PSHB plan or facing delayed coverage. Knowing where to go—and when—is your best safeguard.

Key Deadlines to Know

• Open Season: Runs from November to December every year.

• Medicare Part B SEP (Special Enrollment Period): From April 1 to September 30, 2024, this allowed Medicare-eligible annuitants to enroll without a penalty. If you missed it, contact a licensed agent for support.

• Turning 65: Three months before and after your 65th birthday month is your Initial Enrollment Period for Medicare.

What Happens If You Use the Wrong Portal?

Using the wrong portal—or skipping the portals altogether—can lead to:

• Missed enrollment deadlines.

• Inaccurate or outdated dependent information.

• Loss of eligibility due to unreported life events.

• Delays in accessing care or filling prescriptions.

It’s not just about convenience—it’s about making sure you’re covered exactly when you need it.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using LiteBlue after retirement (you must use KeepingPosted.org).

• Assuming PSHB is managed the same way as FEHB—it’s not.

• Ignoring Medicare Part B requirements if you’re eligible.

• Waiting until Open Season to ask questions—use the PSHB Navigator ahead of time.

USPS Portals Are the Front Line of Your Health Benefits

The shift to the PSHB program has made USPS portals more essential than ever. Whether you’re still working or already retired, your benefits are now closely tied to how well you use these digital tools. Don’t let confusion or procrastination affect your health coverage.

If you’re unsure which portal to use or need help managing your health benefits, reach out to a licensed agent listed on this website for professional assistance.