FEGLI Basics Overview

The Federal Government established the Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program on August 28, 1954.

It is the largest group life insurance program in the world, covering over 4 million Federal  employees and retirees, as well as many of their family members.

Basic Coverage

To calculate basic coverage, round your base salary up to the nearest  $1000, and add $2000. For employees 45 and older, basic coverage equals this amount. e.g.

If your salary is $35,300, your base coverage would be $38,000 ($36,000 plus $2,000).

For employees under age 35, basic coverage equals 2 times this amount. Accidental death is included.

Coverage Option “A”

$10,000 Accidental death is included.

Coverage Option “B”

If you have selected “Basic Coverage”, you may select Option “B” in multiples of 1-5 times salary. To calculate your amount, simply round your salary to the next highest $1,000 and multiply by the desired multiple 1-5.

For example, if you make $45,300 and want coverage of 5 times salary, round up to $46,000 and multiply by 5 for a total of $230,000. Accidental death is not included.

While option “B” provides the most coverage, it is also where you need to do your homework.

One senior fed saved $560,000.

Coverage Option “C”

Option C provides coverage for your spouse and eligible dependent children.

When you elect Option C, all of your eligible family members are automatically covered. You may elect either 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 multiples of coverage.

Each multiple is equal to $5,000 for your spouse and $2,500 for each eligible dependent child.