In the days leading up to your wedding there’s a million things to do. But, for federal employees, you can’t let it distract you from making sure your new spouse is covered by your benefits – very generous benefits, indeed. You wouldn’t want your life partner to miss out them.
Add Your New Spouse To Your FEHB Health Insurance
If you’re already enrolled in the self and family option of the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, get in touch with your plan to let them know that you have a new family member. If you’re covered under a self only plan, you can change it to self plus one or self and family. FEHB enrollment changes can be made starting at 31 days before your marriage to 60 days after. If you miss these deadlines, you’ll have to wait until the next Open Season.
“Don’t forget to make changes to your designated beneficiaries for any FERS or CSRS lump-sum annuity payment that may be available upon your death.”
Change Your FEGLI Beneficiary For Life Insurance
Most federal employees are automatically enrolled in the Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance program (FEGLI) when they’re hired unless they opt out. If you did enroll, you likely completed a designation of beneficiary form listing the person(s) you want to collect the policy proceeds upon your death. When you get married or re-married, you’ll need to change your beneficiary form in order for your current spouse to receive the life insurance death benefit. Otherwise, the policy proceeds will go to the person you originally listed as beneficiary.
Change Your Thrift Savings Plan Beneficiary
Much like the situation with FEGLI, you may have designated a beneficiary for your TSP when you were first hired. If you don’t change it, any TSP funds in your account upon your death will go to the person you originally listed as beneficiary. To make your spouse the sole or joint beneficiary of your TSP nest egg, you’ll have to fill out a designation of beneficiary form through the My Account section at www.tsp.gov.
If You Want To Provide A Survivor Benefit
If you marry while you’re currently employed, you’ll need to notify your agency’s personnel office and follow their instructions in relation to survivor benefits. If you marry after you retire and want your new spouse to receive a survivor’s benefit, you’ll need to contact the OPM and provide them with the required documents. Don’t forget to make changes to your designated beneficiaries for any FERS or CSRS lump-sum annuity payment that may be available upon your death.
(Note: all of the required forms referenced above are available at www.opm.gov/forms.)
