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Frequently Asked Questions Insurance

General Information (Basic and Optional Coverage)

  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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  • The cost of Basic insurance is shared between you and the Government. You pay two-thirds and the Government pays one-third. Your age does not affect the cost of Basic insurance. You pay $0.15 cent per $1,000 biweekly or $0.325 cents monthly. If you are a Postal employee, the U.S. Postal Service pays the entire cost of your Basic life insurance. You pay the full cost of all Optional insurance. The cost depends on your age and the amount of insurance you have.  Optional insurance premiums are posted here. Your agency will withhold the premiums from your pay.  
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