Welcome to the eighth installment of our comprehensive series on survivor benefits. In this edition, we’ll explore important aspects of survivor benefits, including cost-of-living increases, planning for survivor benefits, health insurance options for former spouses, and the application process for benefits.
Cost of Living Increases:
Survivors may receive cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) if Congress decides to provide them. To learn more about COLA, visit OPM.gov for detailed information.
Planning for Survivor Benefits:
Your agency’s HR office can help you review your options for providing benefits to your survivors after your death. This includes benefits for your spouse, ex-spouse, or another designated person with an insurable interest. Failure to elect a monthly benefit after your death may result in your survivor being unable to continue coverage under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program.
When making an election for survivor benefits, you must obtain written consent from your spouse to provide less than the maximum benefit allowed. To designate an insurable interest, you must undergo a physical examination at your own expense.
Health Insurance for Former Spouses:
Former spouses can continue health insurance coverage, but not under your family enrollment. There are two options available: Temporary Continuation of Coverage, which lasts for 36 months, and former spouse federal health insurance, available to former spouses eligible for a court-ordered benefit.
Applying for Benefits:
Survivors must file the appropriate application for death benefits under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) with an original signature to OPM. Relevant documents, such as certified copies of the death certificate, marriage certificate, birth certificates of eligible children, and divorce decrees, should be included with the application.
Stay tuned with Pathfinder Retirement for the next installment of our series, where we’ll continue to explore survivor benefits in more detail.