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Key points
- H.R. 4996 is still an introduced bill referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform; it is not current law.[1]
- As introduced, the proposal could cover certain former uniformed-services members entitled to retired pay or receiving 100% disability compensation, if they had a TSP account before separation.[1]
- The bill says no agency or service contributions would be made for these post-separation contributions, and final eligibility would depend on enacted legislation and regulations.[1]
- A career military pension is plan-dependent; High-36 and BRS use different formulas tied to date of entry and basic-pay history.[2]
- The standard Medicare Part B premium is $202.90 per month in 2026; higher-income beneficiaries may pay more, and premiums change annually.[3]
Can you keep contributing to the Thrift Savings Plan after military retirement? Under current rules, separation generally ends your ability to make new contributions through payroll. H.R. 4996, the FORWARD Act, is an introduced proposal that could create a limited post-separation contribution option for some retired or 100% disabled former uniformed-services members. It has not become law, so do not make a retirement decision assuming it will pass.[1]
What the FORWARD Act would do if enacted
H.R. 4996 was introduced on August 19, 2025, by Representatives Jennifer Kiggans and Wesley Bell and referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Congress.gov lists its status as Introduced.[1]
As introduced, the bill would allow a former member of the uniformed services who is entitled to retired pay under 10 U.S.C. chapter 71, or who receives compensation under 38 U.S.C. section 1114 for a 100% disability, to elect contributions from that pay or compensation. The person would need to have had a TSP account before separating from the uniformed services or civil service. The proposal would not provide agency or service contributions for this election.[1]
Who could be covered under the introduced bill?
- A former uniformed-services member entitled to qualifying retired pay under the bill's cited law.[1]
- A former member receiving compensation for a 100% disability under 38 U.S.C. section 1114.[1]
- Either person would need a TSP account before separation, and the bill would not add agency or service matching contributions.[1]
The phrase “20-year retiree” is a useful shorthand for many career military retirees, but it is not a substitute for the bill's legal eligibility language. A final law and its regulations could change the details. Check the official bill status rather than relying on older articles or illustrations.[1]
How military retirement income fits into the picture
A career military pension is plan-dependent. Legacy/High-36 and the Blended Retirement System use different formulas, and the result depends on the member's date of entry and basic-pay history. High-36 calculations use the highest 36 months of basic pay; use the Defense Department's current calculator for an individual estimate rather than applying an average to everyone.[2]
Retirement income may also include TSP withdrawals, personal savings, Social Security, and other benefits. The timing of each source matters, but there is no single age schedule or contribution strategy that fits every veteran. A written cash-flow plan can help identify the years between military retirement and later income sources without assuming a particular investment return.
Do not overlook Medicare planning
Retirement income planning and Medicare decisions often meet around age 65. The standard Part B premium is $202.90 per month in 2026; higher-income beneficiaries may pay more. Premiums change annually, so check Medicare.gov for the current amount.[3]
If you receive Social Security, Part B is usually deducted from that payment. If you do not, Medicare generally bills you, often every three months.[4] VA health care does not require Medicare enrollment, but VA encourages eligible veterans to sign up; VA and Medicare remain separate programs with their own eligibility and authorization rules.[5]
If you have TRICARE For Life, the rule is different: eligible beneficiaries need both Medicare Part A and Part B, while Part C and Part D are not required for TFL. Medicare generally pays first for services both programs cover and TRICARE pays last.[6][7]
What to do while the bill is pending
- Verify the bill's status Read the H.R. 4996 page on Congress.gov. Treat eligibility, contribution limits, start dates, and tax details as unsettled until legislation and regulations say otherwise.[1]
- Review your existing TSP Confirm your account type, beneficiaries, allocation, withdrawal rules, and current contribution history. Do not move money solely because a proposed bill may change later.
- Build a bridge plan Estimate spending between separation and later retirement income using conservative, clearly labeled assumptions. Keep emergency savings and liquidity needs separate from long-term investments.
- Compare any insurance product carefully If you consider an annuity, review the specific insurer's current illustration and contract for guaranteed-rate duration, surrender charges, liquidity limits, tax treatment, and claims-paying ability. A withdrawal provision, if offered, is contract-specific and may have conditions.
- Coordinate Medicare timing Before delaying Part B or choosing a Medicare plan, compare premiums, deductibles, copayments, networks, authorization rules, and out-of-pocket costs for your situation.[3][8]
The bottom line for veterans
The FORWARD Act addresses a real planning question for people who leave uniformed service well before traditional retirement age: whether they should be able to keep adding to a retirement account they used during service. But H.R. 4996 remains a proposal. Until Congress changes the law and agencies publish final rules, plan around the rules that apply today.
For a conversation about your retirement-income and Medicare questions, you can book a call with Veterans Advantage Financial®. We are an independent insurance agency, not part of or endorsed by Congress, the TSP, Medicare, CMS, VA, TRICARE, Social Security, or any other government agency. You can also review our Veterans Medicare FAQ and VA health care and Medicare guide.
Common questions
Is the FORWARD Act law yet?
No. Congress.gov lists H.R. 4996 as Introduced and referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. It is not current law.[1]
Who could contribute to TSP under H.R. 4996?
As introduced, certain former uniformed-services members entitled to qualifying retired pay or receiving 100% disability compensation could elect contributions, but only if they had a TSP account before separation. The bill would not provide agency or service contributions.[1]
Would the bill start automatically 180 days after passage?
No. The text would require implementing regulations within 180 days after enactment. That regulation deadline is not an automatic start date, and the proposal could change before enactment.[1]
How should I plan before the bill is resolved?
Use current-law assumptions, review your TSP and cash-flow needs, and compare any investment or insurance product using its actual current documents. Revisit the plan if Congress or the agencies publish a change.
What Medicare amount should I use in a 2026 retirement plan?
Use the 2026 standard Part B premium of $202.90 per month as a starting point; higher-income beneficiaries may pay more, and premiums change annually.[3]
Sources
- Congress.gov. “H.R. 4996 - FORWARD Act, 119th Congress (2025-2026), introduced bill text.” congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4996/text
- USA.gov. “Military pensions.” usa.gov/military-pensions
- Medicare.gov. “Medicare costs.” medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs
- Medicare.gov. How to pay Part A & Part B premiums medicare.gov/basics/costs/pay-premiums
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. “VA health care and other insurance.” VA.gov, last updated July 14, 2025. va.gov/resources/va-health-care-and-other-insurance
- TRICARE (Defense Health Agency). “Q&A: How does TRICARE For Life work with Medicare?” TRICARE Newsroom, December 14, 2023. newsroom.tricare.mil/News/TRICARE-News/Article/3617884/qa-how-does-tricare-for-life-work-w
- TRICARE (Defense Health Agency). “TRICARE For Life.” TRICARE.mil, last updated September 25, 2026. tricare.mil/tfl
- Medicare.gov. “Joining a health or drug plan.” medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/get-more-coverage/joining-a-plan
Sources checked October 11, 2026. Dollar amounts are for 2026 unless noted.
This is general education, not personal advice, and it isn’t a recommendation of any specific plan. Veterans Advantage Financial® is a licensed insurance agency, not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare, Social Security, VA, TRICARE or any government agency. Plan availability, costs and benefits vary by plan, county and year. Check your own situation with the agency or plan before making changes.
Christopher Duncan
Christopher founded Veterans Advantage Financial® and has helped people with Medicare since 2006. He is a licensed insurance agent in all 50 states and DC (NPN 8613503). His dad, Wallace, is a Vietnam-era veteran.