Retirement eligibility, the insurance election and the start of reductions are separate events. Put each on a timeline before comparing future coverage. This guide adds an election-and-record worksheet to the site's broader FEGLI material; it does not select a reduction option for the reader.
Verify continuation before comparing reductions
FEGLI retirement continuation depends on the applicable annuity and prior insurance requirements. Ask the benefits office to verify Basic and each Optional component separately, including the number of multiples eligible to continue. Do not assume that eligibility for a pension proves eligibility for every insurance election.
Bring the accepted coverage history, proposed retirement date and retirement category. If benefits will start later, ask about the actual gap and resumption rules. Postponed MRA+10 coverage should not be described as uninterrupted insurance throughout the postponement.
Distinguish reduction from coverage remaining
For Basic insurance, OPM describes a 75-percent reduction election that eventually leaves 25 percent of the original amount, and a 50-percent reduction election that eventually leaves 50 percent. Those labels describe the reduction, not the final amount retained.
OPM describes monthly Basic reductions beginning in the second month after age 65 or retirement, whichever is later: two percent of the original amount for the 75-percent election and one percent for the 50-percent election. Have the retirement office confirm the actual first reduction date and premium treatment. Optional insurance follows its own rules; do not apply Basic's schedule to every component.
Build a component timeline
| Milestone | Basic record | Optional record |
|---|---|---|
| Before retirement | Eligibility and amount confirmed | Eligible options and multiples confirmed |
| Election submission | SF 2818 choice and receipt | Component-specific choices and receipt |
| Retirement effective | Accepted coverage and premiums | Accepted coverage and premiums |
| Age-related change | First reduction date, if applicable | Applicable separate reduction or premium change |
| Later review | Coverage remaining and payment record | Multiples, reductions and payment record |
Use actual dates rather than assuming all changes occur on a birthday. Record whether an illustration uses employee or annuitant rates and whether a quoted payment is monthly or per pay period. Do not multiply a biweekly figure by twelve and call it an annual premium.
Ask about election changes before relying on them
Have the office explain which changes remain available after retirement, which cannot be reversed and what effective date applies. An assignment or prior living-benefit election can require additional review. Preserve unresolved restrictions rather than presenting every option as freely interchangeable.
Keep a copy of the submitted election and the accepted record. If deductions do not match the estimate, ask for reconciliation before submitting another election. A duplicate request can make it harder to identify the intended instruction.
Review household needs separately
After the record is clear, compare future coverage with the household's obligations and other confirmed resources. That is a separate decision from identifying the federal election. Use the quote comparison worksheet if reviewing another contract, and the FEHB survivor checklist for health coverage questions.
No amount in this worksheet is a personalized recommendation or a guaranteed claim payment. Obtain current official estimates and qualified advice for the actual election before signing.
Browse federal benefits, retirement and insurance topics or read how we prepare and check our guides.
Sources
- OPM: Life insurance benefits and retirement, checked November 3, 2026
- OPM: SF 2818 continuation election, checked November 3, 2026
- eCFR: FEGLI annuitants and compensationers, checked November 3, 2026
Have questions about your own situation? We'd be glad to help. Request a call. It's free, and there's never any obligation.