Federal employee insurance: 6 common questions
These are the questions federal employees ask us most about their insurance, answered from OPM's own materials.
1. Is there an open season for life insurance?
Not a regular one. Health, dental and vision plans have the annual Federal Benefits Open Season in November and December. FEGLI does not: according to OPM, there are no regularly scheduled open seasons to elect or increase FEGLI coverage, and they happen only when OPM specifically schedules one.
2. Can I add FEGLI coverage after I start?
Yes, in some cases. If you get married or divorced, your spouse dies, or you gain an eligible child, you can elect Basic, Option A, Option B and Option C within 60 days of the event by filing form SF 2817 with your human resources office (you need Basic to have any option); see adding FEGLI after a marriage or a new baby. Outside those events, you can apply to add Basic and Options A and B by providing medical information, if at least a year has passed since you last waived coverage.
3. Can I cancel FEGLI?
Yes, at any time, unless you have assigned your insurance. Cancelling Basic also cancels all of your optional coverage; cancelling an option leaves Basic in place. The cancellation takes effect at the end of the pay period in which you file it. Cancelled coverage can be hard to get back, so it pays to compare first.
4. What happens to my life insurance if I leave federal service?
Your FEGLI coverage continues for 31 days after it would otherwise end, at no cost. During those 31 days you can convert it to an individual policy. To keep FEGLI as a retiree instead, you must meet the 5-year rule; see keeping FEGLI after you retire.
5. Who receives my FEGLI benefits?
The beneficiaries you name on form SF 2823. If you name none, the law sets the order, starting with your widow or widower and then your children. A divorce does not cancel a designation naming your former spouse. Details in how to name FEGLI beneficiaries.
6. Will my premiums go up when I retire?
It depends on what you choose. Basic coverage with the 75 Percent Reduction becomes free once you are retired and 65, but shrinks to a quarter of its value. Keeping more coverage costs extra, and Option B and C rates rise steeply with age. The numbers are in FEGLI premiums at each age.
Sources
- OPM, Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Handbook, checked October 7, 2026
- OPM, Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), checked October 7, 2026
- OPM FAQ: If I get married or acquire a child, do I qualify to enroll in FEGLI life insurance?, checked October 7, 2026
- Department of Defense, DCPAS: The Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Program (2021), checked October 7, 2026