New Employee Benefits Enrollment

New Federal Employees

This page provides resources to help you make an informed decision about your Federal benefits. For a summary of available Federal benefits, refer to the Federal Benefits Summary. 

Refer to OPM's New Employee Enrollment Overview for detailed information about these available benefits. 

Transfer Federal Employees

If you've transferred from another Federal agency outside the Department of Health and Human Services, please visit the Transfer Employee Benefits Information page for actions you may need to take and details on your virtual benefits presentation.

Virtual Benefits Orientation

The Benefits staff provides the following presentation(s) twice a month. Use the links below to join.

New Employee Benefits Orientation - Stay Connected

MANDATORY ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED

Overview of the Federal benefits programs. 
 
Join using Zoom

Invite Link

Meeting ID: 160 713 1552

Passcode: 194664

Join by phone

Find your local number
For ASL Interpreting Services contact nih@ainterpreting.com or visit the Interpreting Services webpage for more information. 

Benefits Elections

Before you begin your election submissions in USA Staffing Onboarding for New Hires, refer to the TASK SUPPORT – Onboarding Manager Benefits Form Submission document for guidance.

You have 60 days from your start date to complete benefits elections for all programs listed below.

Health Insurance (FEHB)


Navigate to the OHR FEHB page for more information on health insurance.
 

  • How to elect: USA Staffing Onboarding for New Hires
  • Election Form: SF-2809 
  • Additional Information: Family member eligibility must be verified. Include family member eligibility document(s), if applicable. 

  • Effective Date: Coverage is not retroactive, and it cannot be made effective the day you enter on duty. Coverage is effective the first day of the pay period following receipt of your enrollment form. 

    The Benefits Office encourages you to decline FEHB coverage using the SF-2809 (or equivalent) if you do not wish to have health insurance. 
     

    IMPORTANT: Once you make an election and it is processed, it is irrevocable. You cannot make a subsequent election.
     
Dental and Vision Insurance (FEDVIP)


Navigate to the OHR FEDVIP page for more information about dental and vision programs. 
 

  • How to elect: BENEFEDS Portal
  • Election Form: N/A
  • Effective Date: Coverage is not retroactive, and it cannot be made effective the day you enter on duty. It's effective the first day of the pay period following receipt of your enrollment.
Life Insurance (FEGLI)


Navigate to the OHR FEGLI page to learn more about life insurance. 
 

  • How to elect: USA Staffing Onboarding for New Hires
  • Election Form: SF-2817
  • Effective Date: Basic coverage is automatic and effective on your hire date. Optional coverage is effective the day the election is received as long as you are in a pay and duty status.
     
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)


Navigate to the OHR FSA page to learn more about FSAs.
 

  • How to elect: All elections are completed on the FSA website.
  • Election Form: N/A
  • Effective Date: Coverage is effective as of the day after you complete this online enrollment process.
     
Long Term Care (LTC) Insurance


IMPORTANT NOTICE: OPM has suspended new applications until approximately December 2024. Read more about the suspension of new applications.

Questions should be directed to Long Term Care Partners.
 
NIH Leave Bank Program


Navigate to the OHR Leave Bank website to learn more about the Leave Bank Program.
 
Leave Accruals
Visit the NIH Leave Guide for Civilian Employees for additional leave information. You may also contact the Workplace Flexibilities Team at WorkFlex@mail.nih.gov. 
 


Additional Benefits Information

TSP | Beneficiary forms | Retirement

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)

As a new employee, you're automatically enrolled to contribute 5% of your salary. Navigate to the OHR TSP page to learn more about TSP.
 

  • How to change your TSP election: You may submit form TSP-1 through USA Staffing Onboarding for New Hires. After you receive your myPay login credentials, contribution changes should be made in myPay. TSP changes can occur at any time.
     

For additional information, review the TSP Basics on the TSP website.
 
Beneficiary Forms


Navigate to the OHR beneficiary form page to learn more about beneficiary elections.
 

  • Where are the forms located? Forms are in USA Staffing Onboarding for New Hires. 
  • How to submit: You must print and submit original signed forms to the Benefits Office. Forms may be submitted and updated at any time. 
  • DO NOT submit the forms in USAS Onboarding.
     
Military Service
Navigate to the OHR military service page to learn more about how your military service could apply toward your civil service retirement.
 
Retirement Information


Navigate to the OHR retirement page to learn more about your retirement program.
 

You may also learn about other service that could be creditable towards your retirement.
 

Election Verification

It can take two to three pay periods to see your benefit elections reflected on your leave and earnings statements (LES). Please review your LESs for this duration to verify premium deductions. 

Election forms, as applicable, will be available in your eOPF after processing of the elections.

FAQs & Contact Information

Find answers to some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) by reviewing the FAQ – New Employee Benefits document. 

Refer to USA Staffing Onboarding for New Hires to check the status of your forms after submission. If the status of your form does not change to “Complete” within three business days, contact the Benefits Office at AskBenefits@nih.gov to confirm receipt of form submissions.

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