Life Insurance Options

Government workers don't often have the opportunity to change their life insurance benefits -- the last open season to switch enrollments in these plans occurred in 2004. But that's changing. The Office of Personnel Management issued a final rule, which took effect Oct. 1, mandating reforms to the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance program. Participants now have more opportunities to rethink their coverage options.

All FEGLI enrollees receive basic insurance, which includes coverage totaling the employee's annual pay, rounded to the nearest $1,000, plus an additional $2,000. Enrollees also can elect additional plans. Option A provides $10,000 of coverage, while Option B is available in multiples of annual pay. Option C covers spouses and dependent children.

As the new regulation takes effect, here are some things to consider:

Election Time. Program enrollees now have 60 days, rather than 31, after becoming eligible for FEGLI coverage to choose an optional insurance plan. In addition, participants who experience a qualifying life event, such as marriage, divorce, spousal death, a birth or an adoption, now have 60 days to choose coverage under the basic plan and add optional insurance. If employees choose not to make an election during this time, then agencies within six months can grant an additional 60 days to change coverage.

Active-Duty Coverage. Federal workers called to active military duty now have the opportunity to extend their automatic 12 months of FEGLI coverage for an additional year, bringing them to a total of 24 months of coverage. But participants must pay both the employee and agency share of the premiums for basic coverage during the second 12 months, and also must pay the entire cost of any optional insurance they elect for that year.

Defense Department civilians considered "emergency essential" and those involved in contingency operations can elect the basic plan or Options A or B outside of open season, or a qualifying life event. Those elections must be made within 60 days.

Retirement Reductions. Federal employees at retirement can terminate or decrease Options B and C coverage. While enrollees in the past could make a second election, they now will have only one opportunity to do so.