By Reg Jones
Tracking down life insurance benefits
October 21st, 2010 | Assignment of benefits Eligibility LIFE INSURANCE
Q: My brother retired from the U.S. Postal Service a few years ago. He passed away a few weeks ago, and his wife asked the San Antonio post office how she could apply for his insurance. She was told that he had no insurance. He specifically told me that he did: I retired from civil service and have insurance, and my brother said that he had the same sort of coverage. If he has a claim it would be a great aid to his widow.
A: His widow should call the Office of Personnel Management’s Retirement Information Office at 888-767-6738 and report his death. Make sure she has his retiree identification number at hand. It begins with the letters “CSA.” They will know whether she is entitled to a survivor annuity and a benefit from the Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance program. They will also provide her with the paperwork needed to file her claim.
Tags: Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance, FEGLI, insurance claims, LIFE INSURANCE, Office of Personnel Management, OPM, Postal Service, U.S. Postal Service, USPS
FERS retirement annuity “make up” contributions
March 10th, 2010 | Creditable service: FERS Eligibility Eligibility Sick leave
Q. I was once a Special Agent of the U.S. Secret Service (series 1811). I left in January 2007, so I have been away for more than three years. As I am seeking to return to the Secret Service, I have five questions:
1. I understand FERS employees who leave and take a refund of their retirement contributions (which I did) are prohibited by law from buying back that annuity when they return to work for the government. Is there a provision for contributing more than the standard percentage to “make up” the difference?
2. If not, I presume my pension annuity will be based upon only the time I serve upon my return (13+ years before I’m 57).
3. Will other benefits be affected by my absence (health insurance in retirement)?
4. I understand that the government “holds” sick time and certain other benefits for three years. Since I’ve been away more than three years, what benefits have I lost?
5. Am I still “reinstatement eligible?”
A. Since you left, the law changed. If you return to work for the government in a position covered by FERS, you may redeposit the amount you took out with interest and get credit for that time. If you are employed in a position that allows you to enroll in the Federal Employees Health Benefits and the Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance programs, you may do so. If you were enrolled when you left and re-enroll immediately on your return, your years of coverage will be treated as if they were seamless. Any unused sick leave you had to your credit when you left will be reinstated. The three-year rule no longer applies. I’m in no position to answer your question about reinstatement eligibility. You’ll have to ask your future employer about that.
Tags: FERS
Federal Employees Group Life Insurance
January 5th, 2010 | Disability retirement Eligibility Unpaid leave
Q. I am a FERS employee who, prior to having five years of current life insurance through the federal government, will be required to file for FERS disability retirement. Does the period of Leave Without Pay qualify for purposes of continuing accrual toward the five-year mandatory period? I will enter into LWOP, awaiting the OPM decision, about five months prior to having the requisite five-year period.
A. Yes, periods of LWOP up to 12 months count toward meeting the five-year requirement. Further, that coverage is provided at no cost to you or your agency.
Tags: FEGLI, LWOP, retired disability pay fers