The Federal Government established the Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program on August 29, 1954. It is the largest group life insurance program in the world, covering over 4 million Federal employees and retirees, as well as many of their family members.

Most employees are eligible for FEGLI coverage. FEGLI provides group term life insurance. As such, it does not build up any cash value or paid-up value. It consists of Basic life insurance coverage and three options.

In most cases, if you are a new Federal employee, you are automatically covered by Basic life insurance and your payroll office deducts premiums from your paycheck unless you waive the coverage. In addition to the Basic, there are three forms of Optional insurance you can elect. You must have Basic insurance in order to elect any of the options. Unlike Basic, enrollment in Optional insurance is not automatic — you must take action to elect the options.

The cost of Basic insurance is shared between you and the Government. You pay 2/3 of the total cost and the Government pays 1/3. Your age does not affect the cost of Basic insurance. You pay the full cost of Optional insurance, and the cost depends on your age.

The Office of Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (OFEGLI), which is a private entity that has a contract with the Federal Government, processes and pays claims under the FEGLI Program.

FEGLI Calculator

The FEGLI Calculator allows you to determine the face value of various combinations of FEGLI coverage; calculate premiums for the various combinations of coverage; see how choosing different Options can change the amount of life insurance and the premium withholdings; and see how the life insurance carried into retirement will change over time

When is the next FEGLI life insurance open season?

Increasing life insurance: 
UPDATE: A FEGLI life insurance open season has been scheduled for September 1 through September 30, 2016.  Coverage elected during the open season will be effective the first pay period beginning on or after October 1, 2017.  For more information, please visitwww.opm.gov/life.

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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