Two programs have different averages
OPM published 2027 federal health-benefit rates ahead of open season running November 9 through December 14, 2026. The FEHB overall average premium increase is 9.3%, while its average enrollee-share increase is 10.9%. Those are different measures, not competing estimates of the same bill.
Postal Service Health Benefits has an overall average increase of 6.7% and an average enrollee-share increase of 8.2%. Government contributions increase separately. Averages across programs cannot tell an individual employee or annuitant the exact premium for their chosen enrollment category and plan.
Open season is the comparison window
OPM lists 45 FEHB carriers with 118 plan options and 17 postal carriers with 65 options. Existing health, dental and vision coverage generally continues if no change is made, but terminating plans have default-enrollment rules. Verify the actual plan availability rather than assuming automatic continuation always preserves the same coverage.
Use current brochures and premium tables to compare networks, prescriptions and out-of-pocket costs alongside payroll deductions. The announcement says premium growth slowed from the previous year, which still means prices are rising. A smaller percentage increase is not a premium reduction or a guarantee that every plan costs less.