Applying for Death Benefits Under the Federal Employees

Applying for Death Benefits Under the Federal Employees Retirement System This pamphlet is for use by persons applying for benefits which may be payable under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) because of the death of an employee, former employee, or retiree who was covered by FERS at the time of his/her death or separation from Federal service. Color profile: Generic CMYK printer profile Composite Default screen We provide retirement information on the Internet. You will find retirement brochures, forms, and other information at: www.opm.gov/retirement-services/ You may also communicate with us using email at: retire@opm.gov H:CorelVenturaSF3114(07-11).vp Tuesday, November 15, 2011 2:37:56 PM Color profile: Generic CMYK printer profile Composite Default screen Table of Contents Page Eligibility for Death Benefits Under

the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) .................................................1 Benefits Payable Upon the Death of a Federal Employee......................................2 Benefits Payable Upon the Death of a Former Employee (Not Yet Retired).........5 Benefits Payable Upon the Death of a Retiree .......................................................8 Applying for Death Benefits .............................10 i H:CorelVenturaSF3114(07-11).vp Tuesday, November 15, 2011 2:37:58 PM Color profile: Generic CMYK printer profile Composite Default screen Eligibility for Death Benefits Under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) Type of Death Benefits Payable: The type of benefit(s) payable under FERS depends in part on whether the deceased was an employee, a former employee, or a retiree at the time of death. In addition, the amount of creditable Federal service (both civilian and military) and the relationship of the applicant to the deceased determine the type of benefit payable. Definitions: Employee Anyone who was still on the agency’s employment rolls at the time of death, even if he or she had applied for disability retirement and his/her pay had already stopped. Former Employee Anyone who was no longer on an agency’s employment rolls at the time of death and had not yet qualified for retirement benefits. Retiree Anyone who had been separated from an agency’s employment rolls and had met all the requirements for retirement (including having filed an application for retirement benefits). An individual who was eligible for an immediate retirement when he/she separated from Federal service, but postponed applying for benefits to avoid an age reduction, is “deemed” to have applied for retirement beginning the first of the month after death. Benefits due, in this instance, are those based on the death of a retiree. 1 H:CorelVenturaSF3114(07-11).vp Tuesday, November 15, 2011 2:38:02 PM Color profile: Generic CMYK printer profile Composite Default screen Benefits Payable Upon the Death of a Federal Employee Basic Employee Death Benefit (BEDB): To a Spouse ­ If the employee who dies had at least 18 months of creditable civilian service and is survived by a spouse who: • was married to the deceased for an aggregate of at least nine months (the nine month requirement does not apply if the death was accidental); or • was the parent of a child born of the marriage (including one born posthumously [a child born after the Federal employee/retiree has died], or out of wedlock if the parties later married); the spouse may be eligible for a BEDB, which is equal to 50% of the employee’s...

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