FEGLI Life Insurance: Basic, Options A, B and C, Premiums and Retirement
Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) gives eligible federal employees Basic life insurance automatically: your annual pay rounded up to the next even $1,000, plus $2,000, with a $10,000 minimum. You can add Option A ($10,000), Option B (1 to 5 times your pay) and Option C (your spouse and children). The rates below are OPM's, effective since October 2021, and they rise with age for the optional coverage.
Table of Contents
What FEGLI Covers
| Coverage | Amount | Automatic? |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | Pay rounded up to the next even $1,000, plus $2,000, or $10,000 if greater (the Basic Insurance Amount, BIA) | Yes, unless you waive it |
| Option A | $10,000 | No, you elect it |
| Option B | 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 times your pay, rounded up to the next even $1,000 | No |
| Option C | $5,000 per multiple for a spouse and $2,500 per multiple for each eligible child | No |
Eligible employees are enrolled in Basic automatically. You can waive it when first eligible or cancel it later. Optional coverage is never automatic: you must elect it within 60 days of becoming eligible, or after a qualifying life event. At age 35 or younger, Basic also carries an Extra Benefit that doubles the payout at no extra cost. It shrinks by 10% a year from your 36th birthday and is gone after 45. OPM's example: a $48,000 BIA at age 40 pays $72,000.
Accidental death and dismemberment coverage comes with Basic and with Option A for employees, at no extra cost. Options B and C do not have it, and annuitants have none. Option C pays by the multiples you elect: with three multiples, a spouse's death pays $15,000 and a child's death pays $7,500.
Premiums While You Work
Basic costs a level $0.1600 biweekly ($0.3467 monthly) per $1,000 of BIA at every age. The Government pays one-third of the Basic premium and you pay two-thirds. The Postal Service pays all of Basic for its employees. Optional coverage is priced by age bracket and you pay all of it.
| Age | Option A (per month) | Option B (per $1,000, per month) | Option C (per multiple, per month) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 35 | $0.43 | $0.043 | $0.43 |
| 35 to 39 | $0.43 | $0.043 | $0.52 |
| 40 to 44 | $0.65 | $0.065 | $0.80 |
| 45 to 49 | $1.30 | $0.130 | $1.15 |
| 50 to 54 | $2.17 | $0.217 | $1.80 |
| 55 to 59 | $3.90 | $0.390 | $2.88 |
| 60 to 64 | $13.00 | $0.867 | $5.27 |
| 65 to 69 | $13.00 | $1.040 | $6.13 |
| 70 to 74 | $13.00 | $1.863 | $8.30 |
| 75 to 79 | $13.00 | $3.900 | $12.48 |
| 80 and over | $13.00 | $6.240 | $16.90 |
Option A is listed by OPM as one rate for ages 60 and over.
Worked example (our arithmetic from OPM's rates). Pay of $75,500 rounds up to $76,000, so the BIA is $78,000. Basic costs you 78 × $0.1600 = $12.48 per biweekly pay period, or 78 × $0.3467 = about $27.04 a month. One multiple of Option B at ages 45 to 49 covers $76,000 and costs 76 × $0.130 = $9.88 a month.
FEGLI in Retirement
OPM notes that "unlike many other employer-sponsored life insurance programs, FEGLI coverage can be continued into retirement." To keep it you must have been insured for the 5 years of service just before your annuity starts (or for all your eligible service if shorter), be enrolled on your retirement date, and not have converted to an individual policy.
At retirement you choose how Basic reduces after 65. Your coverage does not reduce at 65 while you are still an employee.
| Basic election | What happens from age 65 | Monthly cost per $1,000 of BIA before 65 | Cost after 65 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 75% Reduction | Falls 2% of the original amount a month until 25% remains | $0.3467 | Free |
| 50% Reduction | Falls 1% a month until 50% remains | $1.0967 | $0.75 |
| No Reduction | Stays at 100% | $2.5967 | $2.25 |
Option A in retirement reduces automatically after 65 by 2% of the original amount a month until 25% remains, and it is free once it starts to reduce. For Options B and C you choose Full Reduction (each multiple falls 2% a month to $0, and withholding stops when it starts) or No Reduction. With No Reduction you keep paying the age-based rates in the table above, such as $1.040 per $1,000 at 65 to 69 for Option B. OPM sends a second notice shortly before 65 that lets you change these elections. Annuitants have no accidental death coverage.
If You Leave Federal Service
When your coverage ends for any reason other than your own waiver or cancellation, it continues without cost for 31 days. You can convert all or part of your Basic and optional coverage to an individual policy with no medical exam, though you may be asked health questions to see if you qualify for a lower premium. You must request conversion information within 31 days of the date on the conversion notice from your agency, or within 60 days after the terminating event, whichever is sooner.
Sources & Methodology
- Premium tables (Basic, Options A, B and C, employees and annuitants), Extra Benefit, retirement continuation: OPM, FEGLI Program Information. The page says rates were effective on the first pay period starting on or after October 1, 2021. Retrieved Nov. 5, 2026.
- Automatic enrollment: OPM, FEGLI Enrollment. Retrieved Nov. 5, 2026.
- Coverage amounts, Government and employee premium shares, accidental death coverage, retirement eligibility, post-65 reductions, termination and conversion: OPM, FEGLI Handbook (PDF). Retrieved Nov. 5, 2026.
- The worked example is our arithmetic from OPM's published rates, not an OPM figure. Your agency's payroll office confirms your actual deductions.
FAQ
Is FEGLI Basic insurance automatic?
Yes. Eligible employees are enrolled automatically unless they waive it. Options A, B and C must be elected.
How much does FEGLI Basic cost?
$0.1600 biweekly ($0.3467 monthly) per $1,000 of your Basic Insurance Amount, at every age. The Government pays one-third of the premium.
Can I keep FEGLI after I retire?
Yes, if you were insured for the 5 years before retiring (or all your eligible service if shorter) and are enrolled on your retirement date. Pick a post-65 reduction at retirement.
Is there a FEGLI calculator?
Use the worked example above: round your pay up to the next even $1,000, add $2,000 and multiply the thousands by the rate for your coverage. Your agency benefits office can confirm the exact figure.
General information, not financial advice.
