Most permanent Federal employees are eligible for FEGLI. Participation is voluntary, but if you are eligible, you are automatically covered under FEGLI basic insurance, unless you cancel this coverage. FEGLI also offers three options in addition to basic coverage. No proof of insurability is required for the basic or any optional insurance you elect during the 60 day initial election period. Proof of insurability may be required for insurance changes after that time.

The following resources provide information to help make a decision about your life insurance election:

• RI 70-1, Guide to Federal Benefits for Federal Civilian Employees
• FE 76-21, FEGLI Program Booklet
• FEGLI premiums
• FEGLI calculator

Once you elect life insurance coverage, your enrollment automatically continues each year, as long as you remain eligible for the program. You do not have to reenroll each year. However, if you would like to make a change in your life insurance you can do so in conjunction with a qualifying life event, or by providing medical documentation. There is no regularly scheduled open season for FEGLI changes.

1. The Basic coverage is automatic and is effective on the first day you are in a pay and duty status in an eligible position. If you don’t want the Basic coverage, you must cancel it by making an election in the Employee Benefits Information System (EBIS) or by contacting the Benefits Line.
2. Your election using EBIS is equivalent to completing the SF 2817, Life Insurance Election Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance mentioned in the FEGLI Program Booklet. It is the Department of the Navy policy that all civilian employees must make changes to their benefits electronically. Paper forms are not accepted for these transactions.
3. If you want to elect the Optional insurance you must make an election within 60 days from the effective date of your appointment. You must make your election in EBIS or by contacting the Benefits Line. Optional insurance is effective the first day you are in a pay and duty status on or after the date you make your change in EBIS.
4. You will review the bi-weekly Leave and Earnings Statement you receive from your payroll office to ensure correct deductions have been withheld for your election and avoid costly errors for which you could be indebted. Refer to the Effective Date Chart to determine when your election should be reflected in your pay check.

If you have prior Federal service, your FEGLI coverage when you are rehired is dependent upon the length of the break in service between the two appointments.

1. If the break in service is 180 days or less, you are automatically enrolled with the level of coverage that you had at the time of separation from employment. If you do not want this coverage, you may cancel all or a part of it at any time, but you may not elect to increase the coverage. You must make your election in EBIS or by contacting the Benefits Line. If you previously waived all coverage, you are not eligible to enroll when you are rehired.
2. If the break in service is greater than 180 days, you will automatically be enrolled in Basic insurance and the same Optional insurance that you had in your prior position. In addition, you may elect Optional insurance or increase the multiples of Optional insurance (if you don’t already have the maximum). You must make your election in EBIS or by contacting the Benefits Line within 60 days of your appointment.
3. You will review the bi-weekly Leave and Earnings Statement you receive from your payroll office to ensure correct deductions have been withheld for your election and avoid costly errors for which you could be indebted. Refer to the Effective Date Chart to determine when your election should be reflected in your pay check.

• OPM Insurance Web Site
• OPM FEGLI Handbook
• Plan Information FAQs