A FEGLI review is easier when the accepted insurance election, payroll record and coverage estimate can be compared line by line. This worksheet complements the FEGLI overview; it is for reconciling a record rather than choosing an amount of insurance.
Separate the coverage components
Basic insurance and Optional insurance are distinct entries. Option A is additional coverage on the employee. Option B uses elected salary multiples, while Option C covers eligible family members. Do not add Option C's family amounts to the employee's own death benefit.
Ask the benefits office to identify the Basic Insurance Amount and any applicable age-related Extra Benefit separately. A temporary age-related benefit is not another elected Option B multiple. Keep employee coverage, family coverage and any accidental-death provisions on different lines.
Reconcile three records
| Component | Accepted election | Payroll evidence | Coverage confirmation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | Enrollment or waiver record | Relevant deduction code | Basic amount and calculation date |
| Option A | Accepted optional election | Corresponding deduction | Amount currently in force |
| Option B | Number of accepted multiples | Deduction and pay period | Salary basis and multiples in force |
| Option C | Number of accepted multiples | Deduction and pay period | Eligible family relationships and amounts |
| Extra Benefit | Applicable age record | Not a separate elected option | Whether included in the estimate |
Use the office's current record rather than a form that was saved but never accepted. A deduction can help identify a discrepancy, but it does not explain every eligibility or effective-date question. If the election and deduction differ, preserve both and request reconciliation.
Record the assumptions behind an estimate
Write down the employee status, basic pay used, age, effective date and whether the estimate describes current employment or retirement. Ask whether a pending salary change or birthday affects the estimate and when the official record will reflect it.
Do not compare a current employee estimate with a future retiree illustration without labeling the change in assumptions. A coverage amount and a premium are different quantities; keep their dates and units visible. This worksheet does not quote current rates or calculate a binding benefit.
Check election opportunities separately
If the record is correct but the household wants different coverage, ask the benefits office which election route is available and what evidence or deadline applies. Do not assume the annual health benefits Open Season is also a FEGLI Open Season. A life event, medical evidence process and correction of an administrative error are different requests.
For each pending request, record the form, receiving office, submission date and expected acknowledgment. Label it pending until the office confirms the effective election. Keep intentional waivers visible rather than treating every blank as missing coverage.
Use the reconciled record for the next decision
Once the office confirms the record, use the retirement reduction timeline to ask about future coverage or the individual quote comparison worksheet for a separate contract review. Keep beneficiary information in a distinct audit; coverage amounts do not establish who receives the proceeds.
Store payroll and insurance documents privately. A general inquiry can identify the question without including salary, account identifiers, family records or a medical history. The outcome here is a confirmed record and a list of unresolved questions, not an insurance recommendation.
Browse federal benefits, retirement and insurance topics or read how we prepare and check our guides.
Sources
- DCPAS: Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance, checked November 3, 2026
- eCFR: 5 CFR Part 870, checked November 3, 2026
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