Once you stop drilling and enter Retired Reserve status, even if you have not yet reached age 60, you are eligible for the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP) .

The TRDP is a voluntary program and subject to monthly premiums and cost-shares. New enrollees have to make an initial 12-month commitment. If you enroll within 120 days after receiving your confirmation of Retired Reserve status, the standard 12-month waiting period to use the full-scope of dental benefits is waived .

Delta Dental of California administers all of the TRDP benefits. Enrollment for the TRDP is separate from any other TRICARE program and your enrollment application must be accompanied by a two-month premium prepayment. Premium amounts vary, based on where you live and how many family members are enrolled with you. Monthly premiums are payable by check or electronic funds transfer for those who are under 60-years-old. Enrollees over age 60 will have the monthly TRDP premium automatically deducted from their Uniform Services retired pay.

Coverage begins the first day of the month after you enroll.

Once enrolled, you may seek services from any licensed dentist or dental specialist in the TRICARE Retired Dental Program service area (the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Canada). The costs for services are controlled and your out-of-pocket costs (due to cost-shares) will be lower if you use providers in the TRDP network. Your cost-share percentage will be the same for services from providers not in the network, but the total costs are not controlled and your out-of-pocket costs may be higher.

A complete list of who is eligible can be found at the TRDP Web site, www.trdp.org.