Survivor Benefits for Federal Employees—Here’s How to Protect Your Family After You Pass

Missy E
January 24, 2025

Key Takeaways

Federal survivor benefits offer crucial financial support for your family members after you pass, and understanding how these benefits work can help you secure their future.
Proper planning ensures your loved ones receive maximum benefits while avoiding delays and possible reductions.

Understanding Federal Survivor Benefits: Start Planning Now

Federal employee benefits are renowned for offering strong support during your career and in retirement, but did you know that your benefits can also support your family members when you pass? Survivor benefits are designed to help your loved ones maintain financial stability after your death. It’s never too early to get familiar with the benefits and options available so you can safeguard your family’s future.

Who Is Eligible for Federal Survivor Benefits?

Survivor benefits primarily apply to your spouse, children, and any other eligible dependents you may have. Here’s a quick look at who might qualify:

Spouse: Generally, your spouse is eligible to receive survivor benefits if you’ve been married for at least nine months. Shorter marriages might still qualify in cases involving an accident or duty-related incident.
Children: Dependent children, typically under age 18 (or age 22 if they are full-time students), can also receive survivor benefits. Disabled children who were disabled before the age of 18 may qualify regardless of age.
Others: Certain family members who rely financially on you, such as parents, may also be eligible in specific circumstances.

Types of Federal Survivor Benefits

Survivor benefits come in different forms, depending on your retirement system—whether it’s the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). Understanding how these two systems work is key to preparing for the best outcome for your family.

Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) Survivor Benefits

For those in CSRS, there are two types of survivor annuity options:

Full Annuity: This option provides your surviving spouse with 55% of your monthly retirement benefit. While it offers the highest level of support, it also reduces your monthly benefit more than the partial option.
Partial Annuity: Here, your spouse would receive a survivor annuity equal to 55% of a reduced monthly benefit. While this option impacts your current benefits less, it does provide lower survivor benefits.

Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) Survivor Benefits

If you’re covered by FERS, survivor annuity options include:

50% Annuity: Your spouse would receive 50% of your monthly retirement benefit.
25% Annuity: This partial option provides a smaller monthly benefit for your spouse but comes with less reduction to your own benefit.
FERS Basic Death Benefit: This is a one-time lump sum, payable to your spouse, calculated as half of your final annual pay (or your high-3 average salary) plus an additional sum that adjusts annually.

Health Benefits for Survivors

Survivor benefits under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program can also help your family stay covered after you pass. If your spouse or children are eligible, they can continue health insurance coverage, though they will need to meet the requirements for survivor annuity eligibility.

After your passing, eligible survivors pay the same premium as other employees, allowing them to maintain access to affordable healthcare. It’s important to know, though, that if survivor annuity benefits are waived or unavailable, health coverage will end.

How To Designate Beneficiaries for Survivor Benefits

To ensure your survivor benefits are distributed as you intend, designating beneficiaries is an essential step. This can be done through official federal forms, including:

SF 3102 (FERS Designation of Beneficiary)
SF 2808 (CSRS Designation of Beneficiary)

These forms need to be submitted to your agency’s human resources or personnel office, and it’s always a good idea to review and update your beneficiary designations every few years, particularly after major life changes, like marriage, divorce, or having children.

Spousal Consent Requirements

When selecting an annuity option, federal rules typically require spousal consent for anything other than a full annuity selection. This rule protects spouses from unexpected reductions in survivor benefits. If you choose a partial annuity or opt-out entirely, your spouse will need to provide written consent to your choice.

Key Steps to Take Today for Your Family’s Financial Future

Survivor benefits are not automatic—they require active planning. Below are steps to help protect your loved ones in advance:

1. Choose the Right Annuity Option

Spend some time evaluating the best survivor annuity option for your family’s needs. Take note of any reductions in your own retirement income and balance that against the level of support your survivors may need.

2. Keep Beneficiary Information Updated

Always check that your designated beneficiary information is accurate and up to date, especially after major life events. Keeping clear records reduces the chance of delays or errors in benefit distribution.

3. Understand FEHB and Medicare Coordination

For federal retirees, it’s wise to consider coordinating your health benefits with Medicare. This coordination can also impact survivor health benefits, especially if your spouse is close to Medicare eligibility.

4. Document Your Choices

Documenting your choices, including retirement system elections, FEHB coverage, and designated beneficiaries, can help your family handle the administrative process more easily. An accessible copy of your benefits election forms can save them time and ensure they receive full benefits without unnecessary delays.

What Happens When You Pass?

The process of claiming federal survivor benefits involves several steps, which can vary based on your retirement system and the type of benefits elected:

Notify OPM: Upon your passing, your family or representative should promptly contact the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). This initiates the claims process and ensures that survivor benefits start without delays.
Submit Necessary Documentation: Your family will need to submit documentation, such as a copy of the death certificate and verification of beneficiary status. If health benefits will continue, they may also need to confirm eligibility under the FEHB program.
Processing Timeline: Survivor benefits processing typically takes a few months, so it’s beneficial to prepare your family with an understanding of this timeline. By having all necessary forms and information ready, they can avoid delays and access benefits more smoothly.

Supporting Your Family with Federal Survivor Benefits

Planning for survivor benefits doesn’t just secure financial support—it gives peace of mind to your loved ones, knowing they have a financial foundation to rely on after you’re gone. While federal benefits provide substantial support, being proactive by planning and designating beneficiaries can make a significant difference in the amount and efficiency of benefits your survivors receive.