The Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) covers more than 4 million postal and federal employees and retirees, as well as many of their family members.
Most new federal workers are automatically provided with Basic life insurance coverage under FEGLI. Payroll offices deduct premiums from your paycheck unless you waive this coverage.
In addition to the Basic program, you can participate in three Optional FGLI insurance programs. Optional insurance is not automatic, and you must have Basic insurance in order to enroll in optional coverage.
Thanks to postal and other federal unions who helped create this benefit, the government pays one-third of the cost of Basic life insurance under FEGLI, and your age does not affect the cost. However, you pay the full cost of Optional insurance, and the cost depends on your age.
FEGLI is operated by a private contractor and is administered by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
For information about coverage, see your personnel office the FEGLI pages of OPM’s Web site.
