Benefits Newsletter: October, 2021

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has announced that premium rates for Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) coverage will change effective October 1, 2021. The actual change in premiums will take effect at the beginning of the first pay period after that date, which is October 10, 2021.

Did you know that the Federal Benefits Open Season happens only once a year?  Unless you experience a Qualifying Life Event during the year, the Open Season is your only opportunity to enroll, cancel your enrollment, or make a change to your enrollment for the participating programs.  The Open Season will run November 8 – December 13, 2021. This is the time to review and update your benefits, if needed.  Don’t miss out on this important opportunity.

Do you have questions about the 2022 plans?  This year, there will be a Virtual Benefits Open Season Fair, instead of in-person fairs.  To attend the Virtual Fair and chat with plan representatives, registration is required (use Google Chrome).  Any time during the Benefits Open Season (November 8 – December 13), you will be able to log into the Virtual Fair to review 2022 plan brochures, visit individual plan booths, watch instructional videos, a

If there is a valid court order pertaining to your Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) benefits, benefits must be paid in accordance with the terms of the court order, regardless of whether you complete a designation of beneficiary form complying with the court order.  The court order supersedes any of your designations.

Your eligibility to retire depends upon your age, years of creditable service, and the retirement system under which you are covered.   For information on the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS and CSRS-Offset).  For information on the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS, FERS-RAE and FERS-FRAE).

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If you are getting married or divorced, or you are having or adopting a child, those are qualifying life events (QLE) that will allow you to make certain changes to your benefits.   For information on the timelines and the process.

Family members eligible for coverage under your “Self Plus One” or “Self and Family” enrollment are your spouse and children under age 26*, including legally adopted children, recognized natural children, and stepchildren.  (*A child age 26 or over is also an eligible family member if he/she is incapable of self-support because of a mental or physical disability that existed before age 26.)