Planning Center
Planning Tools for Military Retirees
Interactive planning tools that help you understand Medicare, estimate your costs, and explore your options — before making any decisions.
Planning for Medicare can feel overwhelming.
These interactive tools help retired military families understand Medicare, estimate costs, and explore options — before making any decisions.
Work through them in any order. There's no account required, no obligation to enroll, and your progress stays on your device.
A planning journey, not a sales funnel
Every tool here is designed to help you make an informed decision — at your own pace, on your own terms.
- 1
Understand
Learn how Medicare and TRICARE For Life work together.
- 2
Estimate
Use calculators to estimate premiums, IRMAA, and future costs.
- 3
Explore
See what options may be available where you live.
- 4
Decide
Compare plans — or continue with Original Medicare + TFL — based on your own priorities.
Step 1 · Learn how it works
Understanding
Get oriented before you run any numbers. These tools help you understand how Medicare and TRICARE For Life fit together.
IRMAA + Part B Reduction Calculator
Available nowEstimate your Medicare Part B premium, any IRMAA surcharge based on your income, and the net cost after a Medicare Advantage Part B giveback.
"How much will my Medicare Part B premium really cost?"
Open toolMedicare Enrollment Timeline
Available nowSee exactly when your personal Medicare enrollment windows open and close, and which deadlines matter for keeping TRICARE For Life.
"When do I need to enroll in Medicare?"
Open toolMedicare Readiness Checklist
Available nowA personalized planning assessment that helps you understand which Medicare and TRICARE For Life planning steps you've already completed — and which ones may be worth reviewing next.
"Am I ready for my Medicare transition?"
Open tool
Step 2 · See what you might pay
Estimating Costs
Once you understand the basics, estimate your premiums, out-of-pocket costs, and potential late-enrollment penalties.
Annual Medicare Cost Estimate
Available nowAdd up your expected yearly Medicare costs — premiums, IRMAA, deductibles, and typical TFL cost-shares — based on your situation.
"What will Medicare and TFL cost me each year?"
Open toolTRICARE For Life Cost Estimator
Available nowSee how Medicare and TRICARE For Life split the bill for common services — primary care, specialists, ER, hospital stays, imaging, and more.
"What does TFL actually pay when I see a doctor?"
Open toolLate Enrollment Penalty Calculator
Available nowEstimate the lifetime cost of delaying Part B enrollment past your Initial Enrollment Period — especially important since TRICARE doesn't qualify for an SEP.
"What would it cost me to miss my Part B deadline?"
Open tool
Step 3 · See what's available
Exploring Options
When you're ready, take a neutral look at the coverage options and plans available where you live — no enrollment required.
Local Medicare Options
Available nowSee what Medicare coverage options — including veteran-focused Medicare Advantage plans — are available in your ZIP code. Educational only, no enrollment required.
"What's actually available where I live?"
Open toolCoverage Decision Guide
Available nowA neutral side-by-side of staying with Original Medicare + TFL versus adding a Medicare Advantage plan, organized around the tradeoffs that matter most to retired military families.
"Should I stay with Original Medicare + TFL, or consider Medicare Advantage?"
Open tool
Step 4 · Decide
When you're ready
After you understand your situation and have estimated your costs, you may want to see what plans are available where you live — or continue with Original Medicare + TFL. Both are valid choices.
Educational comparison only. No enrollment required on this site.