Let’s Discuss Federal Benefits & Marriage
By Mickey Elfenbein

Mickey Elfenbein and the Armar Insurance Agency, LLC help protect the assets of individuals and small and mid-size companies using insurance products. 
Mr. Elfenbein has over 30 years of senior level experience in a variety of public and private enterprises. 

With all of the potential changes and Republican budget proposals, it’s hard to say what the future holds for federal employees and retirees. However, there are some things that are unlikely to change (such as life events like marriage) that require you to take action to avoid issues, either now or in the future.

Survivor Annuity

• Also Read: 3 Reasons Certain Federal Employees Can Retire Years Earlier Than Their Peers Without Penalties
• Also Read: CSRS Retirement in 2024: Are You Making the Most of What This Classic Plan Has to Offer?
• Also Read: Roth IRA Basics for Beginners: What’s There to Learn?

As a federal employee, if you were to get married, it’s required that you inform your personnel office. If you are already retired, you’ll need to inform the OPM. Between federal employees and retirees, the rules governing these annuities differ. As an employee, it is necessary you that you provide a survivor annuity for your spouse. If you completed a Standard Form 2808(CSRS) or 3102(FERS) at the time when you first got hired and chose one or more people to get any benefits if eventually, you die, you’d be required to change that designation when you get married. If you’ve retired, it’s up to you entirely to make your choice. The designation can either be changed or left just as it is.

Health benefits

When you get married, if  you are not enrolled in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, you can do that now. Otherwise, if you are already enrolled, you can change your coverage. For instance, coverage can be changed from self only to self plus one.

If the reason you enrolled in self plus one is  to cover a dependent child, then you can just change it to self and family. Then again, if you already registered for self and family to cover eligible dependents, the only thing left to do would just be to add your new spouse (and any children your spouse brings to the marriage). Note: You can also change from one plan or option to another when you get married.

If you register for self and family option, just contact your health plan to let them know about the new family member. Otherwise, it will be required that an enrollment change from 31 days before marriage to 60 days after be submitted.

Life insurance

At your initial hire, if you enrolled in the Federal employees group Life Insurance program (FEGLI), you were probably required to fill out a designation of beneficiary form that asked you to state who you wanted the proceeds to go in the event of your death. You may want to change that designation when you get married. This can be done by either federal employees or retirees as long as they complete the Standard Form 2823.

If you still have questions on how marriage can affect your federal benefits, be sure to reach out to a financial professional for assistance: