I'm not sure Tricare can still be used when you retire. I think it converts into some other kind of medical insurance but you still have to pay a deductable. Not sure. Will check on it though.
Yes, My retirement check can pay for living expenses along with regional pay, I believe I won't have much trouble surviving, considering when you retire, you can go to any military base and use the Commissary (grocery store) etc with the retirement ID card. My family will get military "perks" the rest of our life that other pilots don't have to help out. I will be fortunate in that regard I suppose.