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FEGLI
Federal Group Life Insurance
The Federal Government established the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program on August 29, 1954. It is the largest group life insurance program in the world, covering over 4 million Federal employees and retirees, as well as many of their family members.
Most employees are eligible for FEGLI coverage. FEGLI provides group term life insurance. As such, it does not build up any cash value or paid-up value. It consists of Basic life insurance coverage and three options. In most cases, if you are a new Federal employee, you are automatically covered by Basic life insurance and your payroll office deducts premiums from your paycheck unless you waive the coverage. In addition to the Basic, there are three forms of Optional insurance you can elect. You must have Basic insurance in order to elect any of the options. Unlike Basic, enrollment in Optional insurance is not automatic -- you must take action to elect the options.
The cost of Basic insurance is shared between you and the Government. You pay 2/3 of the total cost and the Government pays 1/3. Your age does not affect the cost of Basic insurance. You pay the full cost of Optional insurance, and the cost depends on your age.
FERS
Federal Employees Retirement Systems
Congress created the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) in 1986, and it became effective on January 1, 1987. Since that time, new Federal civilian employees who have retirement coverage are covered by FERS.
FERS is a retirement plan that provides benefits from three different sources: a Basic Benefit Plan, Social Security and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). Two of the three parts of FERS (Social Security and the TSP) can go with you to your next job if you leave the Federal Government before retirement. The Basic Benefit and Social Security parts of FERS require you to pay your share each pay period. Your agency withholds your contributions for the Basic Benefit and Social Security from your pay as payroll deductions. Your agency pays its part too. Then, after you retire, you receive annuity payments each month for the rest of your life.
Program Requirements
Eligibility is determined by your age and number of years of creditable service. If you are disabled, age requirements may be affected. In some cases, you must have reached the Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) to receive retirement benefits. Use the FERS Information page to determine your Minimum Retirement Age. There are four categories of benefits in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) Basic Benefit Plan: Immediate, Early, Deferred, and Disability. Refer to the FERS Information page to learn more about each category.
CSRS
The Civil Service Retirement System
The Civil Service Retirement Act, which became effective on August 1, 1920, established a retirement system for certain Federal employees. The Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) is a defined benefit, contributory retirement system. Employees and agencies share in the expense of the annuities to which employees become entitled.
Program Requirements
Eligibility is based on your age and the number of years of creditable service and any other special requirements. In addition, you must have served in a position subject to CSRS coverage for one of the last two years before your retirement. If you meet one of the following sets of requirements, you may be eligible for an immediate retirement benefit. An immediate annuity is one that begins within 30 days after your separation. There are five categories of benefits under the Civil Service Retirement System:
Optional: If you leave Federal Service after you meet the age and service requirements, you are eligible for an optional annuity. If you leave Federal service before you meet the age and service requirements for an immediate retirement benefit, you may be eligible for deferred retirement benefits. To be eligible, you must have at least five years of creditable civilian service and be age 62.
Special Optional: You must retire under special provisions for air traffic controllers or law enforcement and firefighter personnel. Air traffic controllers can also retire at any age with 25 years of service as an air traffic controller.
Early Optional: Your agency must be undergoing a major reorganization, reduction-in-force, or transfer of function determined by the Office of Personnel Management. Your annuity is reduced if you are under age 55.
Discontinued Service: Your separation is involuntary and not a removal for misconduct or delinquency.
Disability: You must be disabled for useful and efficient service in your current position and any other vacant position at the same grade or pay level within your commuting area and current agency for which you are qualified. The disability must have onset prior to retirement and should be expected to last for at least one year.