Adding FEGLI after a marriage or a new baby

Updated October 7, 2026. First published October 7, 2026. Facts checked against the sources listed below.

FEGLI has no regular open season, so the most common way to add life insurance after you start is a life event. A marriage or a new child opens a 60-day window to enroll or add coverage. Here is how it works, from OPM's current guidance.

Which events count

According to OPM, these four qualifying life events let you elect FEGLI Basic, Option A, Option B (up to 5 multiples) and Option C (up to 5 multiples):

Marriage
Divorce
Death of a spouse
Acquiring an eligible child

How to do it

You must be enrolled in Basic to have any optional coverage, so elect Basic too if you waived it.
File a Life Insurance Election, form SF 2817, with your human resources office. Ask them what proof of the event they need.
Do it within 60 days after the event.

How much to add

Option B adds 1 to 5 multiples of your annual basic pay on your own life. A new child or a new mortgage is a good reason to look again at the number.
Option C covers your spouse ($5,000 per multiple) and eligible children ($2,500 per multiple), from 1 to 5 multiples. One election covers all eligible family members.

Option B and C premiums are based on your age group and rise in five-year steps; see FEGLI premiums at each age.

While you are at it

Update your beneficiaries. A new spouse or child does not change an old designation, and a divorce does not cancel a designation naming a former spouse. File a new SF 2823; see how to name FEGLI beneficiaries.
Check your spouse's coverage. Option C's amounts are small. A working spouse whose income the family relies on may need their own policy.
Think about income, not just life insurance. A new baby often means time off and a tighter budget; see disability insurance for federal employees.

The 60-day clock starts on the date of the event, so it is worth doing in the first few weeks.

Sources

OPM FAQ: If I get married or acquire a child, do I qualify to enroll in FEGLI life insurance?, checked October 7, 2026
OPM, FEGLI program information and premium rates, checked October 7, 2026