United States Office of Personnel Management	Retirement and Insurance Service
		CSRS:	Civil Service Retirement System
Survivor Benefits for Children

Basic Eligibility Requirements For Survivor Annuity

1. To receive monthly survivor annuity benefits:
   • the child must be the unmarried survivor of a Federal employee who has 18 months of creditable civilian service or of a civil service retiree ("Child" includes an adopted child, step-child, or recognized child born out of wedlock.); and
   • the child must have been dependent upon the deceased employee or retiree. We consider that a child was dependent if he or she:
     • was born within wedlock to the deceased employee or retiree;
     • is an adopted child of the deceased employee or retiree or a child who meets all of the following conditions:
       • the child lived with the deceased, and
       • the deceased filed a petition to adopt the child, and
       • the child was adopted by the surviving spouse after the employee or retiree died;
     • is a stepchild or recognized child born out of wedlock who lived with the employee or retiree in a regular parent-child relationship at the time of the employee's or retiree's death; or
     • is a recognized child born out of wedlock for whom a judicial determination of support has been obtained.
     In addition, we consider that a recognized child born out of wedlock was dependent if there is proof that the deceased employee or retiree made regular and substantial contributions to the child's support.
2. Annuity benefits terminate when a child:
   • reaches age 18,
   • marries, or
   • dies.

Annuity benefits stop at the end of the month before the one in which any of the above terminating events occurs. For example, if a child turns 18 on June 29, annuity benefits would stop May 31. We would pay the last check (annuity for May) on June 1. Note: An unmarried child under age 18 can continue to receive benefits even if employed or in the military service.

Annuity benefits can continue after age 18 if the person is incapable of self-support because of a disability incurred before age 18 or is a full-time student. Annuity benefits that were stopped because the child attained age 18 can be resumed if the person is unmarried and becomes a full-time student before reaching age 22. See the discussion starting on page 9 for more information. Annuity benefits that were stopped because the child married cannot be resumed if the marriage later ends due to divorce or death. If the marriage is annulled, the person should send us a copy of the court decree. We will then determine if the benefit can be reinstated.

Notify us promptly if a son or daughter is no longer eligible for annuity. Be sure to give his or her name, the CSF claim number, the name of the deceased employee or retiree,and the reason and date the annuity should stop. Caution: If we erroneously pay benefits to a child who is not eligible, we must recover the amount paid in error. In case of fraud, the law provides for fine and imprisonment. In some instances, interest and penalties may be charged on the overpayment.

To notify us, write to:

U. S. Office of Personnel Management
Retirement Surveys Branch
P.O. Box 956
Washington, DC 20044-0956

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