Did you make changes to your elections under the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Program (FEGLI) during last year’s open season? If so, now is a good time to make sure everything is in order now that the changes are in effect.
Changes made during the 2016 open season had a one year delayed effective date. For most federal employees, this means they will go into effect on October 1, 2017 according to the Office of Personnel Management. Details about when the changes go into effect for employees of varying pay and duty statuses can be found in OPM’s Benefits Administration Letter included below.
Verifying Your FEGLI Changes
OPM also wants to remind employees to review their leave and earnings statements to confirm that the elections made during the open season went into effect and that they are correct. This can be done using OPM’s FEGLI Calculator or the FEGLI Premium Tables.
Possible Errors in Coverage
OPM said that any employees who believe that their FEGLI elections should have taken effect but have not or who may have inadvertently cancelled or reduced their coverage should contact OPM and/or their local human resources officer as soon as possible.
Another snag that can impact some employees is that they may have completed their FEGLI Open Season elections incorrectly by signing only for Basic and for new coverage, accidentally canceling their current optional coverage in the process. OPM is authorized to correct this error and reinstate any erroneously cancelled optional coverage if employees notify OPM in time. For most employees whose coverage went into effect October 1, the deadline for requesting this correction is November 11, 2017. Employees needing assistance should contact their local HR representatives.
Exempting Employees Impacted by the Recent Hurricanes
OPM also recently announced that it is exercising its authority under Federal law to exempt hurricane-affected employees who may be unable to meet pay and duty status requirements for their FEGLI Open Season elections to go into effect as scheduled.
It is up to the employing agency’s discretion to determine whether an employee is unable to meet pay and duty status requirements for hurricane-related reasons outside his or her control. Once an agency makes this determination for an employee, OPM said the agency should process that employee’s FEGLI Open Season election for an effective date on the first day of the first pay period that begins on or after October 1, 2017.
Employing agencies have until October 31, 2017 to make this determination for their affected employees.
All other employees must meet pay and duty status requirements before their FEGLI Open Season coverage can go into effect. OPM said any specific questions can be sent to fegli@opm.gov.
BAL 17-202 FEGLI Life Insurance Open Season Processing Reminder
