Taxes & Insurance

fedweek.com: fegli life insurance coverage and changes Image: Song_about_summer/Shutterstock.com

Coverage levels typically change little for federal employees under the FEGLI life insurance program, which—unlike the FEHB health insurance and FEDVIP vision-dental insurance programs—holds only sporadic open seasons.

However, don’t neglect the possibility of changing FEGLI if you encounter a “qualifying life event”—marriage, divorce, the death of your spouse, or the birth or adoption of a child—that changes your family situation.

If you newly enroll in or increase your coverage due to a qualifying life event, you will be required to provide the reason for the change in coverage and documentation to support that change.

Examples of supporting documentation would be a copy of a marriage certificate, death certificate, divorce decree (first and last page only), birth certificate of a child or of a stepchild acquired due to marriage, adoption papers, or a signed affidavit explaining the reason for the change.

Many agencies operate automated benefits systems that have their own rules regarding documentation, so if using one of those, check the requirements. For example, they might accept a copy of the marriage certificate issued by the presiding official or, in the case of a birth, the certificate issued by the hospital or midwife. Or, if the new family member is a foster child, you must submit a foster child statement.

If you already have Basic, you may elect Option B and/or Option C, or increase your multiples of Option B and/or Option C, within 60 days of experiencing a qualifying life event.

FEGLI Living Benefits Before and After Retirement

More on FEGLI coverage changes at ask.FEDweek.com

FERS Retirement Guide 2022