Federal Employee Life Insurance, also known as FEGLI (Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance), is the life insurance program provided by the Federal Government to eligible Federal employees and retirees. It is designed to help provide financial protection for your loved ones if something were to happen to you.

FEGLI is a form of group term life insurance, meaning it offers a death benefit but does not build cash value.

What Is FEGLI Life Insurance?

FEGLI life insurance coverage is available to most Federal employees and may include:

Basic Life Insurance – Automatically provided unless waived, typically based on your annual salary.

Optional Life Insurance Coverage – Additional coverage you may elect for yourself, your spouse, and eligible dependent children.

Your total Federal employee life insurance coverage depends on the options you choose during eligibility periods.

How Federal Employee Life Insurance Costs Work

The Federal Government pays a portion of the Basic FEGLI premium.

Employees pay the full cost of any optional FEGLI coverage.

Premiums are deducted from your paycheck or retirement check.

FEGLI premiums generally increase with age, especially for optional coverage.

Because costs often rise later in your career or during retirement, many Federal employees choose to review their life insurance options regularly.

Federal Employee Life Insurance and Retirement

Many Federal employees can continue FEGLI life insurance into retirement if eligibility requirements are met. However, coverage amounts may reduce over time, and premiums may increase significantly.

Understanding how Federal employee life insurance fits into your overall retirement plan can help you avoid unexpected costs and coverage gaps.

Is FEGLI Enough for Federal Employees?

FEGLI can be a solid foundation, but it may not meet every family’s needs on its own. Some Federal employees explore additional life insurance options to:

Maintain coverage beyond retirement

Manage rising FEGLI costs

Secure more stable, long-term protection

Align coverage with family and financial goals

A review of your Federal employee life insurance can help determine whether FEGLI alone is sufficient or if supplemental options should be considered.