Federal Employee Group Life Insurance

The Federal Government established the Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program on August 29, 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.

Most employees are eligible for FEGLI coverage. FEGLI provides group term life insurance. As such, it does not build up any cash value or paid-up value. It consists of Basic life insurance coverage and three options. In most cases, if you are a new Federal employee, you are automatically covered by Basic life insurance and your payroll office deducts premiums from your paycheck unless you waive the coverage. In addition to the Basic, there are three forms of Optional insurance you can elect. You must have Basic insurance in order to elect any of the options. Unlike Basic, enrollment in Optional insurance is not automatic — you must take action to elect the options.

The cost of Basic insurance is shared between you and the Government. You pay 2/3 of the total cost and the Government pays 1/3. Your age does not affect the cost of Basic insurance. You pay the full cost of Optional insurance, and the cost depends on your age.

The Office of Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (OFEGLI), which is a private entity that has a contract with the Federal Government, processes and pays claims under the FEGLI Program.

*FEGLI BIWEEKLY AND MONTHLY PREMIUMS

Basic Life Insurance (per thousand dollars)

Age Group Biweekly Monthly
FOR ALL AGES $.150 (15 cents) $0.3250

Rates for Option A – Standard

Age Group Biweekly Monthly
Under 35 $0.20 $0.43
35-39 $0.30 $0.65
40-44 $0.40 $0.87
45-49 $0.70 $1.52
50-54 $1.10 $2.38
55-59 $2.00 $4.33
60+ $6.00 $13.00

Rates for Option B – Additional

Age Group Biweekly Monthly, per $1,000
Under 35 $0.02 $0.043
35-39 $0.03 $0.065
40-44 $0.04 $0.087
45-49 $0.07 $0.152
50-54 $0.11 $0.238
55-59 $0.20 $0.433
60-64 $0.44 $0.953
65-69 $0.54 $1.170
70-74 $0.96 $2.080
75-79 $1.80 $3.900
80 and over $2.64 $5.720

Rates for Option C – Family

1 Multiple = $5,000 For A Spouse
1 Multiple = $2,500 For Each Eligible Dependent Child

Age Group Biweekly Monthly, per multiple
Under 35 $0.22 $0.48
35-39 $0.27 $0.59
40-44 $0.41 $0.89
45-49 $0.59 $1.28
50-54 $0.92 $1.99
55-59 $1.48 $3.21
60-64 $2.70 $5.85
65-69 $3.14 $6.80
70-74 $3.83 $8.30
75-79 $5.26 $11.40
80 and over $7.20 $15.50

*Rates May Change in the Future