In the event of death, it is important that employees ensure beneficiary designation forms are up-to-date so that benefits are paid out according to their wishes. For both the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Program (FEGLI) and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) programs, if employees do not have designations on file, benefits will be distributed according to the following order of precedence as required by law:
1. To the widow or widower;
2. If none, to the children equally and/or descendants of deceased children;
3. If none, to the parent(s) equally
4. If none, to the estate executor/administrator;
5. If none, to the next of kin under the laws of the state in which the deceased employee resided.
Please note: the FEGLI Program and the TSP will not honor a will or a prenuptial agreement when distributing benefits to survivors.
Employees also should ensure that beneficiary designations are current for the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) by which they are covered. FERS-covered employees with a CSRS component need only complete the FERS Designation of Beneficiary form. Employees should designate one or more beneficiaries to receive any unpaid compensation that might be due at the time of death, such as payment for salary, annual leave, or travel reimbursements. The unpaid compensation form is agency-specific and should be completed again upon transfer to each new agency.
For general information about benefits, please refer to the Benefits Division website on JNet. Comments and questions should be directed to the Benefits Division, 202-502-1160.
1. To the widow or widower;
2. If none, to the children equally and/or descendants of deceased children;
3. If none, to the parent(s) equally
4. If none, to the estate executor/administrator;
5. If none, to the next of kin under the laws of the state in which the deceased employee resided.
Please note: the FEGLI Program and the TSP will not honor a will or a prenuptial agreement when distributing benefits to survivors.
Employees also should ensure that beneficiary designations are current for the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) by which they are covered. FERS-covered employees with a CSRS component need only complete the FERS Designation of Beneficiary form. Employees should designate one or more beneficiaries to receive any unpaid compensation that might be due at the time of death, such as payment for salary, annual leave, or travel reimbursements. The unpaid compensation form is agency-specific and should be completed again upon transfer to each new agency.
For general information about benefits, please refer to the Benefits Division website on JNet. Comments and questions should be directed to the Benefits Division, 202-502-1160.