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Frequently Asked Questions Insurance

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General Information (Basic and Optional Coverage)

  • How Much FEGLI Coverage Do I Have? View more
     If you are a Federal RETIREE or compensationer: OPM's Retirement Office is the only office with access to your FEGLI life insurance records.  Your FEGLI records are not available online.  You can contact Retirement at 1-888-767-6738 or retire@opm.gov. The phone lines are open Monday through Friday 7:30 am to 7:45 pm eastern time. The phone lines can get extremely busy so we recommend calling early in the morning or late in the evening when the lines are less busy. Have your retirement claim number (CSA/CSF) or social security number handy. If you wish to change your FEGLI life insurance beneficiaries, complete this form and mail it to OPM's Retirement Office at the address on page 3: www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf2823.pdf If you are a Federal EMPLOYEE: Contact your human resources office.  The office that maintains your Official Personnel Folder (OPF) or its equivalent is the only office with access to your FEGLI life insurance records. If you do not know what office that is or how to contact them, check with your supervisor. You can also look on a copy of your most recent Standard Form 50, Notification of Personnel Action, to determine the coverage you currently have:
    1. In Block 27 on that form, there is a 2-character code that represents your current coverage and a definition of the code. 
    2. You can look up the codes and their translation at http://archive.opm.gov/insure/life/reference/handbook/sf50tbl.asp 
    3. You can then use the FEGLI Calculator to determine the current value of your FEGLI by inputting your current age, salary and type(s) of FEGLI coverage. 
    If you wish to change your FEGLI life insurance beneficiaries, complete this form and submit it to your human resources office: www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf2823.pdf
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  • I am a new Federal employee. How do I get coverage under FEGLI life insurance? View more
    Most Federal employees are automatically enrolled in Basic insurance unless they waive this coverage. Basic is effective on the first day you enter in a pay and duty status in an eligible position. If you have Basic insurance, you may also elect Optional insurance. You must specifically elect the types of Optional insurance you wish to carry within 60 days of becoming eligible. Optional insurance is effective on the first day you are in a pay and duty status on or after the day your human resources office receives your election. To elect Optional insurance within 60 days of becoming eligible, or to cancel (waive) Basic, submit the FEGLI Election Form to your human resources office.
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  • What kind of coverage can I get under FEGLI life insurance? View more
    There are two types of FEGLI life insurance: Basic and Optional.  You must enroll in Basic before you can select any Optional coverage. Basic covers your life in the amount of your annual basic pay rounded up to the next $1,000 plus $2,000.  For example, if your annual basic pay is $47,500, Basic covers your life for $50,000.  The minimum Basic coverage is $10,000.
    If you continued Basic into retirement, your Basic coverage is based on your annual basic pay at the time you stopped being insured as an employee.  It is not based on your annuity. Once you have elected Basic, you are eligible for any or all types of Optional insurance. Optional insures provides coverage in addition to what you have with Basic.
    • Option A Standard
      • Covers your life for $10,000.
    • Option B Additional
      • Covers your life for 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 multiples of your annual basic pay (after rounding up to the next $1,000).
    • Option C Family
      • Covers the lives of your spouse and eligible children.  You may elect 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 multiples of coverage. Each multiple is equal to $5,000 for your spouse and $2,500 for each eligible dependent child.
    For more information, see the FEGLI Handbook.
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  • I want to enroll in FEGLI life insurance by taking a physical exam.  When will the new coverage be effective? View more
    Your enrollment in Basic will be effective on the first day you are in pay and duty status on or after the date OFEGLI approves your request. If you also want to enroll in Option A and/or Option B, this coverage will be effective on the first day you are in pay and duty status on or after the date OFEGLI approves your request and your human resources office receives your Life Insurance Election (SF 2817) electing such coverage.
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  • How do I make my FEGLI life insurance election? View more
    When you are newly appointed or transferred to a FEGLI eligible position, you are automatically enrolled in FEGLI Basic life insurance.  To elect any Optional coverage, or to waive Basic, you must complete a Life Insurance Election (SF 2817) and return it to your human resources office. If you do not submit an election form within 60 days of becoming eligible, you remain enrolled in Basic only.
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  • What happens if I die in an automobile accident or if I lose my sight or a limb as a result of an accident? View more
    FEGLI Basic and Option A each include Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage for employees at no additional charge. AD&D coverage cannot be carried into retirement. AD&D benefits are paid in addition to regular death benefits. For the Office of Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance to pay AD&D benefits, the death or loss must occur within one year after the accident and be a direct result of bodily injury sustained from that accident. AD&D coverage in Basic is equal to the amount of your Basic insurance. AD&D coverage in Option A is equal to $10,000. For more information about AD&D, see the FEGLI Handbook.
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