When you went to work for the federal government you were automatically enrolled in FEGLI unless you declined it. Image: photobyphotoboy/Shutterstock.com
By: Reg JonesIn my last two articles, I focused on the survivor annuities provided to children who meet the necessary criteria, including those who are incapable of self-support, on the death of a federal employee or retiree. This week, I’ll close the series with an explanation of their life and health benefits.
Life insurance benefits
When you went to work for the federal government you were automatically enrolled in the Federal Employees’ Group Life insurance (FEGLI) program and asked to designate who you wanted to receive the benefits of that policy if you were to die. Unless you declined that coverage – or dropped it at a later date – you are still enrolled in it, and whoever you designated is still the intended recipient.
If you didn’t designate anyone (or the person you designated has passed away), the benefit will be paid out according to the standard order of precedence:
• First to your widow or widower
• Second, if none, to your child or children in equal shares, with the share of any deceased child distributed among that child’s descendants
• Third, if none, to your parents in equal shares or the entire amount to your surviving parent
• Fourth, if none, to the executor or administrator of your estate
• Fifth, if none, to your next of kin under the laws of the State where you lived at the time of your death.
If you are enrolled in the FEGLI program as either an employee or retiree, it’s in your interest to designate who you want to be your beneficiary and keep that designation current. To do that, you’ll have to complete a Designation of Beneficiary form (Standard Form 3102 (FERS) or 2808 (CSRS)). If you don’t, whoever you now want to be your beneficiary will be out of luck.
Health benefits
If you die while enrolled in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program and have Self Plus One coverage, your spouse will be able to continue that coverage as long as he or she receives a survivor annuity. If you have Self and Family coverage, all your survivors who meet the definition of “family member” will be able to continue that coverage, as long as one of them receives a survivor annuity.
Former head of retirement and insurance policy at the Office of Personnel Management, and longtime FEDweek contributor, Reg Jones is known throughout the federal workforce community as an authority on pay and benefits.
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