If I'm a new hire, they are expected to set aside today the money I'll receive in 30 years. I don't believe that's the case. From http://www.gao.gov/assets/660

If I'm a new hire, they are expected to set aside today the money I'll receive in 30 years. I don't believe that's the case. From http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/650511.pdf http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/650511.pdf : The liability for current employees is a portion of the ultimate liability for their future retiree benefits; the liability accrues steadily over their working years, from zero at date of entry into FEHBP to the full liability at retirement. Contrary to some claims, there is no liability held, nor contributions made, for any future employees who have yet to be hired or yet to be born. That is, their liability (and the amount they need to be prefunded for) starts at 0 when they're hired and gradually increases.