Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
Survivor annuities, lump sums, and FEGLI life insurance for federal employees and retirees
The Office of Personnel Management administers retirement and insurance benefits for federal civilian employees and retirees. When a federal employee or retiree dies, OPM handles survivor annuity payments, lump sum benefits, and Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) claims.
Notifying the OPM when someone dies
A family member reports the death. OPM's page on what to do after a death →
Executors and next of kin
- •Have the name, date of birth, Social Security number, CSA claim number and address, and each survivor's name and address.
- •Check: write the date of death on it and return it to the Treasury address on the envelope.
- •Direct deposit: tell the financial institution of the death.
- •Reclamation notice: follow the instructions OPM sends to the survivors or heirs.
Surviving spouses and children
- •Retiree or former employee: OPM, P.O. Box 45, Boyers, PA 16017-0045
- •Current employee: the employing agency
- •Proof of death showing the date and cause or manner of death; a pending death certificate is not accepted
- •The marriage certificate, and proof that any earlier marriages ended
- •Children's birth certificates showing both parents' names, and the Social Security award determination for a minor child
- •Bank account information for electronic payment
- •Fax the form to 1-570-558-8659 only once a certified copy is already on file.
- •Call OFEGLI for a status update after 30 days.
- •OPM withholds the premium from the annuity; if the annuity falls short, choose a lower-cost plan or pay directly.
- •Former spouse: apply within 60 days of the marriage ending or of OPM's notice of entitlement.
Required Documents
- Proof of death: It must show the date and cause or manner of death; a pending death certificate is not accepted.
- The deceased's CSA claim number, date of birth and Social Security number: when reporting the death. The CSA number is printed on annuity statements, 1099-R tax documents and OPM correspondence; it begins with "CSA" followed by a seven-digit number and a one-character suffix.
- Application for Death Benefits: SF 2800 for CSRS or SF 3104 for FERS.
- Form FE-6: for a FEGLI life insurance claim
- Certified copy of the death certificate showing the cause and manner of death: for a FEGLI life insurance claim on Form FE-6. One per claim; not needed if another claimant already sent one.
- SF 1153, Claim for Compensation of Deceased Civilian Employee: to claim unpaid salary and leave. Filed with the employing agency.
- Marriage certificate and proof that any prior marriages ended: for a surviving spouse claim. Proof that an earlier marriage ended is a divorce decree, annulment or death certificate.
- Birth certificates showing both parents' names: for a dependent child's claim. For a minor child, also the Social Security award determination.
- Copy of the court appointment with a raised seal: for an executor or administrator filing on behalf of the estate
- Bank account information: For electronic funds transfer of the survivor annuity or lump sum.
Timeline
Survivor annuity claims completed in August 2026 averaged 32 days and survivor lump sum claims 109 days, measured from receipt of the complete death benefits package.
Deadlines1
- A former spouse's application to continue FEHB coverage under the Spouse Equity Act
within 60 days of the marriage ending or OPM's notice of entitlement1
What OPM pays or provides to survivors5
- Survivor Annuity
Monthly survivor benefit or annuity
A monthly annuity paid to the surviving spouse or former spouse of a deceased federal employee or retiree. Under FERS the maximum election reduces the retiree's own annuity by 10% and a partial election by 5%; a married retiree must provide the maximum unless the spouse consents in writing to less or none.1, 2, 3
Who qualifies: Surviving spouse (generally married at least 9 months, or the parent of a child of the marriage), or a former spouse awarded a survivor annuity at retirement or by qualifying court order; dependent children qualify for a separate child's annuity
Amount: FERS: 50% of the earned annuity (25% if a partial election was made). CSRS: 55% of the unreduced earned annuity (or 55% of a smaller elected base)
How to apply: OPM mails the Application for Death Benefits (SF 3104 for FERS, SF 2800 for CSRS) after the death is reported.
- Lump Sum Death Benefit
Lump-sum death payment
If no monthly survivor annuity is or will become payable, OPM pays the retirement deductions remaining to the deceased's credit in the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund, plus applicable interest. When a retiree dies, accrued annuity due but not paid before death may also be payable.1
Who qualifies: Designated beneficiary, surviving spouse, children, parents, estate executor or administrator, or next of kin, in that order
Amount: Remaining retirement deductions plus applicable interest, and any accrued unpaid annuity
How to apply: File SF 2800 (CSRS) or SF 3104 (FERS) with the employing agency if the deceased was a current employee, or with OPM if the deceased was a retiree or former employee.
- Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI)
Life insurance proceeds
Life insurance payable to the beneficiaries of a federal employee, retiree or compensationer enrolled in FEGLI. Claims are paid by the Office of Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (OFEGLI), an administrative office of MetLife, not by OPM. Optional coverage (Options A, B and C) may add to the Basic amount.4, 5, 6
Who qualifies: Designated FEGLI beneficiary; if none, the order of precedence under 5 U.S.C. § 8705(a)
Amount: Basic: the greater of annual basic pay rounded up to the next $1,000 plus $2,000, or $10,000, doubled by the Extra Benefit at age 35 or younger (phasing out by 45)
How to apply: File Form FE-6 (Claim for Death Benefits) with a certified copy of the death certificate with OFEGLI, by mail or fax. Form FE-6.
- Basic Employee Death Benefit (FERS Only)
Lump-sum death payment
A one-time payment to the surviving spouse of a FERS employee who died in service with at least 18 months of creditable civilian service. It is also payable to a former spouse expressly awarded a survivor annuity by qualifying court order before the death who was married at least 9 months and did not remarry before 55.1, 3
Who qualifies: A surviving spouse married to the deceased for an aggregate of at least 9 months (waived if the death was accidental), or the parent of a child born of the marriage
Amount: 50% of final salary (or average salary, if higher) plus $43,800.53 for deaths after December 1, 2025: $15,000 increased by CSRS cost-of-living adjustments since December 1, 1987
How to apply: File SF 3104 (Application for Death Benefits under FERS) with the deceased's employing agency. Form SF 3104.
- Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Continuation
Health coverage for survivors
A surviving spouse can continue the deceased's FEHB enrollment, and covered children under age 26 can continue when at least one family member qualifies for a survivor annuity or the BEDB. If the annuity does not cover the premium, the survivor can switch to a lower-cost plan or pay premiums directly.1
Who qualifies: Surviving spouse receiving a survivor annuity or the BEDB who was covered under the deceased's Self and Family or Self Plus One enrollment at the date of death; a former spouse may qualify under the Spouse Equity Act
How to apply: Coverage is continued through OPM as part of the survivor benefit claim; premiums are withheld from the survivor annuity.
What happens to each matter1
- Pension or annuity
Accrued annuity for the days the annuitant lived in the month of death may still be payable as a lump sum.1
What OPM's rules say6
- Who reports the death
Survivors, family members or estate representatives are required to notify OPM when a benefit recipient dies. The death of a current federal employee is reported to the employing agency, which gives the survivors an information packet and sends OPM the records.7, 8
- Payments received after the death
All payments received from OPM after the annuitant's date of death must be returned to the Treasury Department. If payments were issued after the date of death, OPM may send the survivors or heirs a reclamation notice with instructions.7
Government checks payable to the deceased for unpaid compensation are enclosed with SF 1153. Checks issued for other purposes, such as Social Security or tax refunds, go back to the agency that sent them.9
- Processing and payment
Once OPM is notified, it creates a CSF claim number for the survivors and mails them a packet with the Application for Death Benefits and, if applicable, the FE-6 life insurance claim.10
Cases involving a court order, a special computation, workers' compensation or missing documents take longer.11
OFEGLI can be called for a status update on a FEGLI claim once at least 30 days have passed since the claim form was submitted.4
- Proof of death accepted
A FEGLI claim needs a certified copy of the death certificate showing the cause and manner of death, one per claim. The FE-6 may be faxed only once a certified copy is already on file.5
- Order of beneficiaries or payees
The retirement lump sum goes to the first person eligible in this order: the designated beneficiary; the spouse; children and descendants of deceased children; parents; the court-appointed executor or administrator; then next of kin under the laws of the deceased's state of domicile.1
With no valid designation, assignment or court order, FEGLI pays the widow or widower; then children and descendants of deceased children; then the parents in equal shares or all to the surviving parent; then the court-appointed executor or administrator; then other next of kin under the law of the insured's state.12, 5
A FEGLI beneficiary designation in a will has no effect; only a signed, witnessed SF 2823 filed before death counts.13
- Remarriage
A survivor annuity to a spouse or former spouse ends on the last day of the month before the month the survivor remarries before age 55, unless they were married to the deceased at least 30 years. Remarriage at 55 or older does not affect it.1
A surviving spouse's annuity stopped by a remarriage before 55 can be restored if that remarriage ends by death, annulment or divorce and any lump sum paid out is repaid. A former spouse's annuity cannot be reinstated.1
Forms OPM issues6
- SF 2800: Application for Death Benefits (Civil Service Retirement System)
A survivor claims CSRS death benefits when a federal employee, former employee or annuitant covered under the Civil Service Retirement System dies.14
Completed by a survivor. Available to download.
- SF 3104: Application for Death Benefits (Federal Employees Retirement System)
A survivor claims FERS death benefits, including the Basic Employee Death Benefit, when a federal employee, former employee or annuitant covered under FERS dies.15
Completed by a survivor. Available to download.
- FE-6: Claim for Death Benefits (Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance)
A named beneficiary or eligible survivor claims FEGLI life insurance proceeds after the death of an insured federal employee, retiree or compensationer. OFEGLI, an administrative office of MetLife, pays it.5
Completed by a named beneficiary or eligible survivor. Available to download.
- FE-6 DEP: Statement of Claim, Option C-Family Life Insurance
An insured federal employee or annuitant claims FEGLI Option C family coverage after a covered spouse or eligible child dies. It is filed with OPM's Retirement Operations Center, Attention: FE-6 DEP.16
Completed by the insured employee or annuitant. Available to download.
- SF 1153: Claim for Compensation of Deceased Civilian Employee
Filed with the agency that employed the deceased, not with OPM, to claim unpaid compensation: final salary, accrued leave and similar amounts owed at the date of death.9
Available to download.
- SF 2823: Designation of Beneficiary, Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program
The insured names FEGLI beneficiaries before death. It must be signed, dated, witnessed by two people who are not beneficiaries and free of corrections; retirees mail it to OPM's Retirement Operations Center.13
Completed by the insured. Available to download.
Other agencies and offices involved4
- Office of Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (OFEGLI)
FEGLI death claims on Form FE-6, paid as an administrative office of MetLife4, 5
Phone: 1-800-633-4542
Fax: 1-570-558-8659
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:00 PM ET
Mailing address: OFEGLI, P.O. Box 6080, Scranton, PA 18505-6080
- OFEGLI overnight delivery
FE-6 claims sent by overnight delivery5
Mailing address: OFEGLI, 10 Ed Preate Drive, Moosic, PA 18507
- OFEGLI line for overseas beneficiaries
Help with a FEGLI claim for beneficiaries outside the United States4
Phone: 1-212-578-2975
- Treasury Department
OPM annuity payments returned after the date of death7
Sources16
- 1.Survivor benefits
- 2.5 U.S.C. 8341
- 3.5 U.S.C. 8442
- 4.FEGLI death claims
- 5.FE-6: Claim for Death Benefits (Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance), January 2026
- 6.5 U.S.C. 8701
- 7.Special notice regarding death of annuitants
- 8.Report a federal employee death
- 9.SF 1153: Claim for Compensation of Deceased Civilian Employee
- 10.Report an annuitant death
- 11.Retirement processing times
- 12.5 U.S.C. 8705
- 13.SF 2823: Designation of Beneficiary, Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program
- 14.SF 2800: Application for Death Benefits (Civil Service Retirement System)
- 15.SF 3104: Application for Death Benefits (Federal Employees Retirement System)
- 16.FE-6 DEP: Statement of Claim, Option C-Family Life Insurance
Sources
Data sourced from Office of Personnel Management primary sources (18 pages reviewed). How we research.
OPM death reporting
Death Reporting