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Domestic Partner Benefits FAQ

Question

May I designate my same-sex domestic partner for a survivor benefit under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS)?

Answer

Same-sex domestic partners are ineligible for a spousal survivor annuity benefit. However, employees may elect at retirement an insurable interest annuity for anyone, including domestic partners or partners to a civil union, as long as they can show they are in good health and the people designated for this benefit can show that they have an insurable interest in the continued life of the employee. The Office of Personnel Management will presume a same-sex domestic partner has an insurable interest in the continued life of an employee.

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