Federal Employees Group Life Insurance

What Does Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Mean?

The Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) program was established on August 29, 1954, to provide life insurance coverage for U.S. civil service employees. Federal employees are automatically enrolled in this insurance unless they choose to opt out. Because FEGLI’s basic coverage is group term life insurance, federal employees often compare it against an individually owned term life insurance policy before deciding whether the basic option meets their needs.

Insuranceopedia Explains Federal Employees Group Life Insurance

Federal employees are automatically enrolled in FEGLI’s basic life insurance, with two-thirds of the premium deducted from their paychecks and the remaining third covered by the U.S. government. Employees do not need to meet any additional qualifications to receive this basic coverage.

Beyond basic life insurance, FEGLI offers three additional coverage options. If a federal employee selects any of these options, they are responsible for the full premium, with no government subsidies. These additional options have further requirements, including the submission of health documentation. Some federal workers who find the FEGLI options limited will supplement their coverage with a private policy from one of the best life insurance companies, which can follow them if they leave federal service.