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Insurance FAQs

Life

  • What is the appropriate office for filing a court order about FEGLI life insurance? View more
    Employees: File the court order with your human resources office.  If you do not know how to contact your human resources office, ask the appropriate Agency Benefits Officer. Annuitants: File the court order with OPM's Retirement Office at: Office of Personnel Management Retirement Operations Center Validation Section P.O. Box 45 Boyers, PA 16017-0045 Compensationers: If you receive benefits from the Department of Labor, Office of Workers Compensation Programs and you've been receiving these benefits for less than 12 months and you are still on the agency's rolls as an employee, file the court order with your human resources office. If you are on compensation and are separated from your agency or have been receiving compensation for 12 months or more, file the court order with OPM's Retirement Office at the address above. Note: A certified copy of the court order must be on file with the appropriate office before the death of the insured person to be valid.
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  • Can I increase my FEGLI life insurance coverage if I am a civilian employee in the Department of Defense who is designated as "emergency essential?" View more
    Yes, Public Law 110-417, the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act, allows new FEGLI life insurance election opportunities for certain employees. The new election applies if you are a civilian employee in the Department of Defense eligible for FEGLI who is designated as "emergency essential" under section 1580 of Title 10.  You may elect Basic, Option A and Option B (up to the maximum of 5 multiples). You must make the election on the FEGLI election form within 60 days of the date of the notification of the designation as an emergency essential employee..  Contact your employing agency human resources office for more information. More details available in BAL 08-204 and BAL 12-201.
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  • I enrolled in FEGLI Option C years ago, and I no longer have any eligible family members.  Do I need to contact my human resources office? View more
    Yes.  When you no longer have any eligible family members, contact your human resources office to cancel the Option C coverage. The cancellation is effective the end of the pay period in which you no longer had any eligible family members.  If you stopped having eligible family members before the current pay period, your Option C cancellation is retroactive to the last pay period when you had an eligible family member and your agency will reimburse your Option C premiums paid since then. For more information, see the FEGLI Handbook.
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  • If I get married or acquire a child, do I qualify to enroll in FEGLI Life Insurance? View more
    If you are an employee in a FEGLI-eligible position, a Qualifying Life Event allows you to enroll in FEGLI Basic, Option A, Option B (up to 5 multiples), and/or Option C (up to 5 multiples).  You must enroll in Basic to be able to enroll in any or all Optional coverage. There are four FEGLI Qualifying Life Events:
    • Marriage
    • Divorce
    • Death of a spouse
    • Acquisition of an eligible child
    To enroll based on a Qualifying Life Event, you must submit a Life Insurance Election (SF 2817) to your human resources office within 60 days after the day of the event.  For more information, contact your human resources office and review page 4, row 2 of the Election form.
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  • If I unexpectedly need to retire (disability or otherwise) and don't meet the five-year/all opportunity rule for continuing my FEGLI life insurance into retirement, can I receive a waiver from OPM? View more
    No. There are no waivers of the five year/all opportunity rule for continuing FEGLI life insurance coverage into retirement. There are no exceptions to the "no waiver" rule — it does not matter whether you retire on disability, accept a voluntary incentive payment, etc. The only way to continue coverage into retirement is to meet the five year/all opportunity rule. Yes, this is different from the health benefits program which does allow for waivers under certain circumstances. For more information about retiring with FEGLI life insurance, see the FEGLI Handbook.
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  • What is a conversion policy? Who is eligible to convert their FEGLI life insurance benefit? View more
    A conversion policy is an individual (non-group) life insurance policy that you are entitled to when your group life insurance ends, unless it ended because you voluntarily cancelled it. If you have assigned your insurance, the assignee(s), rather than you, is (are) entitled to convert your Basic, Option A, and Option B coverage. You may still convert your Option C coverage. Under the conversion privilege, you may convert all or any part of your Basic and Optional insurance to an individual policy. No medical examination is required. The individual policy will be a cash-value type of life insurance policy. This means it will build cash value that you can borrow against. You cannot convert to term insurance. For more information about conversion, see the FEGLI Handbook.
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  • Do I have to pay for my insurance coverage after I retire? View more
    If you are under age 65 when you retire, you will continue to pay premiums for your Basic and Optional insurance at least until you turn 65. Your retirement system will withhold the premiums from your annuity each month. When you retire, you make reduction choices that determine whether your FEGLI life insurance (and premiums) reduce beginning at age 65 or when you retire, whichever is later:
    • Basic with 75% Reduction: your Basic coverage reduces 2% each month until it reaches 25% of its pre-reduction amount.  Your Basic is free (no premium) once the reductions begin and remains free until your death.
    • Basic with 50% Reduction: your Basic coverage reduces 1% each month until it reaches 50% of its pre-reduction amount.  There is an extra premium for this choice that you will continue to pay until you die, switch to 75% reduction, or cancel Basic.
    • Basic with No Reduction: your Basic coverage does not reduce.  You maintain the same amount of Basic coverage you had when you stopped being enrolled as an employee.  There is a larger extra premium for this choice that you will continue to pay until you die, switch to 75% Reduction, or cancel Basic.
    • Option A: your Option A automatically reduces 2% each month until it reaches $2,500.00 and remains free until your death.  There is no reduction choice for Option A.  Option A is free (no premium) once the reductions begin and remains free until you die.
    • Option B with Full Reduction: your Option B coverage reduces 2% each month until it reaches zero.  Your Option B coverage is free (no premium) once the reductions begin.
    • Option B with No Reduction: your Option B coverage does not reduce.  You maintain the same amount of Option B coverage you had when you stopped being enrolled as an employee.  There is an extra premium for this choice that you will continue to pay until you die, switch to Full Reduction, or cancel Option B.
    • Option C with Full Reduction: your Option C coverage reduces 2% each month until it reaches zero.  Your Option C coverage is free (no premium) once the reductions begin.
    • Option C with No Reduction: your Option C coverage does not reduce.  You maintain the same amount of Option C coverage you had when you stopped being enrolled as an employee.  There is an extra premium for this choice that you will continue to pay until you die, switch to Full Reduction, or cancel Option C.
    Reductions begin the second month after you turn 65 or the second month after you retire, whichever is later.  If you do not submit a Continuation of Life Insurance (SF 2818) to your human resources office before you retire, your Basic will be defaulted to 75% Reduction, and your Option B and Option C will be defaulted to Full Reduction.
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  • I've had FEGLI Basic and one multiple of Option C since 2005. In 2010, I increased my coverage to five multiples of Option C.  I want to retire in 2013. How many multiples of Option C can I carry into retirement? View more
    One of the requirements for continuing FEGLI life insurance into retirement is that you have been insured for the 5 years of service immediately before the date your  annuity starts, or for the full period(s) of service during which you were eligible to be insured if less than 5 years.  This requirement applies to each FEGLI type (Basic, Option A, Option B, Option C) and to each multiple. You will only be eligible to bring Basic and one multiple of Option C into retirement, since you were not enrolled in the remaining four multiples of Option C for the five years of service before your annuity begins. For more information, see the FEGLI Handbook.
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  • I have FEGLI Option C (family coverage), five multiples. As each family member reaches age 22, do the multiples reduce automatically? View more
    No. The number of multiples you carry under Option C life insurance is not linked to the number of eligible family members you have. You may elect one, two, three, four, or five multiples of coverage regardless of how many eligible family members you have. Each multiple is equal to $5,000 for your spouse and $2,500 for each of your eligible dependent children.  The Option C premium is the same regardless of how many eligible family members you have.
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  • There is a valid court order about my FEGLI life insurance on file with my agency. Can I submit a Designation of Beneficiary to override the court order? View more
    No. You cannot submit a new Designation of Beneficiary to void the court order. If there is a valid court order on file, you may not change or submit a designation of beneficiary unless the person(s) named in the decree, order, or agreement agrees in writing or unless the decree, order or agreement is modified. For more information, see the FEGLI Handbook.
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  • What is the five-year/all opportunity rule for continuing life insurance into retirement? View more
    When you retire, you are eligible to continue life insurance if you meet all of the following requirements:
    • you are entitled to retire on an immediate annuity under a retirement system for civilian employees;
    • you have been insured for the 5 years of service immediately before the date your annuity starts, or for the full period(s) of service during which you were eligible to be insured if less than 5 years; and
    • you have not converted to an individual policy.
    You must meet the five year/all opportunity requirement for Basic and each type of Optional insurance in order to continue it into retirement. For purposes of continuing FEGLI coverage into retirement, "service" means time in a position in which you were eligible for coverage. Breaks in service are not counted as interruptions in coverage. An example will help.
    • Joan first became eligible and enrolled in Basic and Option A coverage on February 11, 1990. She had a break in service from January 1, 1994, through January 1, 1996. Upon her return to service on January 2, 1996, she was automatically given Basic and Option A. She retires on December 31, 1997. She is eligible to continue her Basic and Option A coverage into retirement, since she has been continuously enrolled for the 5 years of service immediately before retirement.
    Here's another example.
    • Theodore had Basic only when he was hired in May 1966. In 1981, during the Open Season, he elected Basic and Option B, two times his salary. In November 1996, he married Isabelle and also acquired two stepchildren. Based on this life event, Theodore added 3 multiples of Option B, for a total of five multiples. Theodore retired in May 1999. He is eligible to continue Basic and Option B, two multiples, into retirement. He cannot continue the three multiples he picked up when he married because he did not have them for the five years of service immediately before his retirement nor did he have them for all the time they were available to him.
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  • I completed a Designation of Beneficiary (SF 2823) last year. Now I want my life insurance proceeds to be paid according to the order of precedence. What should I do? View more
    If you have a prior Designation of Beneficiary on file with your human resources office (or OPM's Retirement Office if retired), and you now wish for benefits to be paid by the order of precedence, file a new Designation of Beneficiary and state "Cancel Prior Designations" as instructed on page 2. To see the order of precedence, visit the FEGLI Handbook.
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  • What is a MetLife Total Control Account (TCA)? View more
    The MetLife TCA is a settlement option offered by MetLife for the payment of claims. A MetLife TCA is not a checking, savings, or money market bank account. Since the MetLife TCA is not a bank account, it is not insured by the FDIC or any government agency. Instead, MetLife guarantees the full amount in the MetLife TCA, including all interest earned. MetLife's guarantee is further backed by the beneficiary's respective state guaranty association. Maximum guarantee limits vary from state to state and may change over time. If the beneficiary chooses a MetLife TCA, the relationship is between the beneficiary and MetLife, not with the federal government or any of its agencies. The MetLife TCA offers a minimum guaranteed annual effective interest rate, meaning that MetLife commits to pay the beneficiary at least that specified rate of interest on the money in the account. The beneficiary begins earning interest the day the MetLife TCA is created. Interest is earned daily, but is not credited until the last day of the month. The interest rate offered on the MetLife TCA may be better or worse than the prevailing market rates. The MetLife TCA is a product offered by MetLife on which the company may make a profit. The beneficiary pays no monthly maintenance fees on a MetLife TCA. The beneficiary has complete control of, and access to, the entire amount of the insurance proceeds. The beneficiary can withdraw the full amount from the MetLife TCA at any time. The information packet the beneficiary receives will include a draft book (similar to a checkbook). At any time and at no cost, the beneficiary can write drafts (similar to checks) from a minimum of $250 up to the full balance of the account. In addition, the beneficiary will receive periodic activity statements, and can designate a beneficiary for the account. If the beneficiary chooses the MetLife TCA settlement option, he or she will receive more detailed information when the account is opened.
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  • Am I required to complete a Designation of Beneficiary form (SF 2823) if I am enrolled in FEGLI life insurance? View more
    No, you do not have to complete a designation form.  When you die, the Office of Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (OFEGLI) will pay life insurance benefits in a particular order set by law: If you assigned ownership of your life insurance by filing an Assignment, Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (RI 76-10), OFEGLI will pay benefits:
    • First, to the beneficiary(ies) designated by your assignee(s), if any;
    • Second, if there is no such beneficiary, to your assignee(s).
    If you did not assign ownership and there is a valid court order on file, OFEGLI will pay benefits in accordance with that court order. If you did not assign ownership and there is no valid court order on file, OFEGLI will pay benefits:
    • First, to the beneficiary(ies) you designated;
    • Second, if there is no such beneficiary, to your widow or widower;
    • Third, if none of the above, to your child or children, with the share of any deceased child distributed among descendants of that child (a court will usually have to appoint a guardian to receive payment for a minor child);
    • Fourth, if none of the above, to your parents in equal shares or the entire amount to your surviving parent;
    • Fifth, if none of the above, to the executor or administrator of your estate;
    • Sixth, if none of the above, to your other next of kin as determined under the laws of the state where you lived. 
    If you did not assign your insurance and there isn't a valid court order on file, and you are not satisfied with the order of precedence described above, you should complete a designation form and indicate how you want OFEGLI to pay the benefits.
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  • What is a per stirpes designation? Can I use one when designating beneficiaries for my FEGLI Life Insurance? View more
    A per stirpes designation means that if a named beneficiary dies before the Insured dies, the children of the named beneficiary are entitled to the benefits, or the grandchildren of the named beneficiary if the children aren't alive, or the great-grandchildren of the named beneficiary if the grandchildren aren't alive, etc. Designations using per stirpes designations are unacceptable. You may want to consider a designation like this, instead:
    Hector Gonzales, my son, 100%, if living  Otherwise to the estate of Hector Gonzales
    You could then specify the per stirpes terms in your will. If Hector is not living when you die, OFEGLI will pay your estate. The estate will follow the terms of the will which include the per stirpes terms. You can download the FEGLI Life Insurance Designation of Beneficiary form here.
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  • When is the next FEGLI life insurance open season? View more
    Increasing life insurance:  FEGLI life insurance open seasons are extremely rare and none are currently scheduled.  Your agency and OPM's website will announce when there is a life insurance open season coming up.  The most recent FEGLI open seasons were held in 2004 and 1999. Outside of an open season, eligible employees can enroll or increase their coverage by taking a physical exam or with a Qualifying Life Event. For more information about the physical exam, please see SF 2822. FEGLI life events are marriage, divorce, death of spouse, or acquisition of an eligible child.  With a life event, you can enroll or increase coverage in Basic, Option A, up to five multiples of Option B, and/or up to five multiples of Option C.  You must submit an SF 2817 to your human resources office within 60 days after the life event. Reducing or cancelling life insurance: You can reduce or cancel your FEGLI life insurance at any time, without waiting for an open season.   If you are an employee, submit an SF 2817 to your human resources office, signing only for the coverage you want to keep.   If you are retired, there is no form; you must write a signed letter to OPM's Retirement Office stating clearly the reduction or cancellation you want to make.  Be sure to include your signature, annuity number (CSA/CSF) or social security number, and your phone number.  Send the letter to:
    • Office of Personnel Management 
    • Retirement Operations Center 
    • P.O. Box 45 
    • Boyers, PA 16017-0045
    Please note that you cannot enroll, increase coverage, or restore cancelled coverage after you have retired. Changing beneficiaries: You can change beneficiaries at any time, without waiting for an open season.  Submit an SF 2823 to your human resources office, or to OPM's Retirement Office if you have retired.  The address for OPM's Retirement Office is on page 3 of the form.
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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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  • How do I contact my Retirement office? View more
    You may contact OPM's Retirement Office by phone at 1 (888) 767-6738 or by e-mail at retire@opm.gov. The phone lines are open Monday through Friday 7:30am to 7:45pm eastern time.  If you have difficulty getting through, try to call early in the morning or late in the evening when the lines are less busy.
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  • Do I need to wait until an Open Season in order to cancel my FEGLI life insurance? View more
    No. You may cancel life insurance coverage at any time. Be aware that your opportunities to re-enroll are limited.
    • Employees:
    To cancel some or all FEGLI coverage as an employee, submit SF 2817 to your human resources office and sign only for the FEGLI coverage that you want to KEEP.
    • Retirees:
    To cancel some or all FEGLI coverage as an annuitant, there is no form.  You must write a letter to: Office of Personnel Management  Retirement Operations Center  P.O. Box 45  Boyers, PA 16017-0045 Any cancellation or reduction of life insurance must be in writing and have an original signature by the insured retiree.  Be sure to include your retirement claim number (CSA number) or social security number and specify what action you want taken.  Please note you cannot increase your coverage after retirement, or reinstate any coverage that you cancel.    The cancellation is effective, and all insurance stops, at the end of the pay period in which you properly file the waiver.  For retirees, a month is considered a pay period. You continue to have the coverage through the pay period in which you file the waiver and must pay premiums for that pay period.  You will not receive a refund for premiums withheld prior to the effective date of cancellation.
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  • How do I report a death? [FEGLI Life Insurance] View more
    If the insured person was a Federal RETIREE or compensationer:  You must report the death to OPM's Retirement Office.  You can use this tool or you can call Retirement at 1-888-767-6738. If you believe the retiree was enrolled in FEGLI Life Insurance and that you are a beneficiary, you can download a claim form and mail it to OFEGLI, an office of MetLife.  MetLife determines who is entitled to FEGLI Life Insurance proceeds, for what amount, and processes all claims.  OPM has no role in this process. Due to privacy restrictions, OPM cannot release information about whether the retiree was enrolled in FEGLI Life Insurance, the amount of life insurance, or the names of the beneficiaries.  MetLife will mail a claim form to each beneficiary.  All inquiries about life insurance claims must be directed to MetLife.  If the insured person was a Federal EMPLOYEE:  You must report the death to the employee's human resources office. If you believe the employee was enrolled in FEGLI Life Insurance and that you are a beneficiary, you can download a claim form and mail it to OFEGLI, an office of MetLife.  MetLife determines who is entitled to FEGLI Life Insurance proceeds, for what amount, and processes all claims.  OPM has no role in this process. Due to privacy restrictions, the employee's human resources office cannot release information about whether the employee was enrolled in FEGLI Life Insurance, the amount of life insurance, or the names of the beneficiaries.  MetLife will mail a claim form to each beneficiary.  All inquiries about life insurance claims must be directed to MetLife.  If the insured person was FAMILY MEMBER covered under FEGLI Option C:  FEGLI Option C covers the lives of the employee/retiree's spouse and eligible children under age 22. If you have Option C coverage and an eligible family member dies, complete this form and submit it to the location indicated on page 1.
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Total Count: 120, Number of Pages: 6, Page: 6

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