Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program
Bulletin Board Archive
October 14, 2004
2005 Option B Premiums
In BAL 02-209, issued September 25, 2002, we announced additional age bands for Option B and stated that the premiums for these age bands would be phased in over a three-year period; that BAL also announced the premiums for Phase I.
In BAL 03-208, issued October 21, 2003, we announced the premiums for Phase II. This BAL announces the premium for Phase III, the final phase. For further information, see BAL 04-209.
August 26, 2004
FEGLI 50th Anniversary Booklet Posted
OFEGLI recently revised the FEGLI Program Booklets. The FEGLI Program Booklet for Federal Employees (FE-76-21, formerly RI 76-21) and the FEGLI Program Booklet for U.S. Postal Service Employees (FE-76-20, formerly RI 76-20] ) were updated to reflect premium changes, clarify previous 0ption C-Family life events changes, remind employees of the time limits for electing coverage, and explain in clearer detail other aspects of the Program.
The revised Booklets are dated August 2004. Previous editions are not usable. You can download either Booklet electronically from our website.
May 25, 2004
FEGLI 2004 Open Season Announcement
OPM will be holding an Open Season from September 1- September 30, 2004, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the FEGLI Program.
More details will follow as the Open Season approaches. Please read the OPM news release announcing the Open Season.
March 31, 2004
Effect of the Retroactive Pay Raise FEGLI Coverage and Life Insurance Certifications
On March 31, 2004, the President signed an Executive Order authorizing a retroactive pay increase to white collar Federal employees. Revised salary tables are located at www.opm.gov. We have issued a new Benefits Administration Letter to provide guidance to agencies concerning the effect of the retroactive raise on the amount of Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) coverage and on premium withholdings and Government contributions and to explain when a revised SF 2821 (Agency Certification of Insurance Status) is or is not needed.
For further information, see BAL 04-202.
March 24, 2004
Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program: Revised Claim Forms
OFEGLI recently revised the claim forms for FEGLI life insurance benefits. The two forms, FE-6 "Claim for Death Benefits", and FE-6 DEP "Statement of Claim-Option C" were revised to update IRS tax language for backup withholding, and to make a MetLife money market account available to a greater number of beneficiaries. The revised forms are dated April 2004. Previous editions are not usable. You can download the revised FE-6, and the revised FE-6 DEP. Note: These electronic forms use Adobe Acrobat 5.0 or above.
For further information, see BAL 04-201
November 10, 2003 —
FEGLI Premium Increase for Upper Age Bands of Option B
The 2nd phase of the Option B premium increase for FEGLI enrollees age 65 or older will be effective in January 2004. Employees with Option B who are age 65 or older will see the premium increase in their paycheck that covers the first pay period that begins after January 1, 2004. Retirees age 65 or older who elected No Reduction for Option B coverage will see the premium increase in their February 1, 2004, annuity payments (which cover the annuity for January).
There are no plans for a FEGLI open season. If you wish to cancel your Option B (or any other coverage), you may do so at any time. However, your opportunities to pick it up again are limited. Annuitants cannot elect new coverage.
Updated June 23, 2003 —
New Family Claim Form Available
We recently revised the electronic version of the form used to make claims under Option C, Family Life Insurance (the FE-6 DEP). Previous editions are not usable. The revised form is dated May 2002. You can download a PDF-fillable version of the form here. NOTE: This electronic form requires Adobe Acrobat 5.0 or above.
March 19, 2003 —
Time Frame for Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D;) Benefits Amended
We have amended the time frame for Accidental Death and Dismemberment Benefits under the FEGLI Program. Accidental Death benefits will be payable if the employee dies within one year of the accident. Accidental & Dismemberment will be paid for the loss of a hand, foot or eyesight within one year of the accident.
March 12, 2003 —
New Combat Zone and FEGLI FAQs
We have added a new category to the FEGLI FAQs, Combat Zones and FEGLI. The questions address FEGLI benefits for civilians serving in combat zones, employees called-up to active duty and the payment of Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D;) benefits.
September 27, 2002 —
New Premiums and Age Bands
We periodically review the FEGLI premiums to determine whether circumstances require any changes. The last premium change was effective April 24, 1999. Because of generally lower mortality rates, we have decided to reduce the premium for Basic insurance and for several of the Option B age bands, effective January 1, 2003. There are no changes to the Option A premiums or to the premiums for the existing Option C age bands.
We are also adding additional Option B age bands. In 1999, we announced new age bands for Option B because of the opportunity for retiring employees to elect unreduced coverage. However, we did not put the new age bands and their premiums into place at that time. Because of concerns raised at the time regarding the cost of the premiums in these new age bands, we agreed to delay the implementation and to continue studying the issue before putting any new age bands into effect. We have studied the issue and believe that we do need additional age bands because of the increasing number of individuals with unreduced Option B coverage after age 65. We are phasing in the premiums for these new age bands over a three-year period. We will announce the phase 2 and 3 premiums in 2003 and 2004.
For further information see Benefits Administration Letter 02-209.
Original Posting —
New OFEGLI Location
The Office of Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (OFEGLI), where FEGLI claims are processed, moved on February 20, 2001.
OFEGLI's new address is:
P.O. Box 2627
Jersey City, NJ 07303-2627 The address to use for overnight mail deliveries only (such as Fed Ex) is: 2 Montgomery Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302-3802.
Customer service phone numbers did not change. The toll-free number for beneficiaries and agency personnel to use is 1-800-633-4542. Overseas beneficiaries should continue to call (212) 578-2975.
However, OFEGLI's fax number did change. The new number to use to fax documents is (201) 395-7950.
If you have recently sent mail to OFEGLI at its old address, don't worry! Your mail will be forwarded to the new address.
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