Do I need to contact my HR Office if I get married?

YES!!

If you are a Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) employee or retiree who gets married, you need to update your benefits information with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Specifically, you may need to enroll your spouse in health insurance, change your Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) beneficiary, and/or elect a survivor annuity for your spouse if you are retired.

Here's a breakdown of what you need to do:

1. Health Insurance: If you are an employee: You have 31 days before to 60 days after your marriage to change your health insurance enrollment from self-only to self and family, or from one plan to another, according to OPM. If you are a retiree: You have 31 days before to 60 days after your marriage to change your health insurance enrollment from self-only to self and family, or from one plan to another, according to OPM. To make the change: Contact your agency's human resources office (if an employee) or OPM Retirement Services (if a retiree) and complete the necessary forms.

2. FEGLI Beneficiary: If you are an employee or retiree: You may want to change your FEGLI beneficiary designation to reflect your new spouse, according to FEDweek. To make the change: You can fill out a Standard Form 2823, Designation of Beneficiary, available on the OPM website.

3. Survivor Annuity (if retired): If you are retired: You can elect to provide a survivor annuity for your spouse. You must notify OPM in writing within two years of your marriage, according to OPM. To make the election: You will need to contact OPM Retirement Services and complete the necessary forms.

4. Federal Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP): If you are enrolled in FEDVIP: You may be able to change your coverage to include your spouse. To make the change: You can do so from 31 days before to 60 days after your marriage.

5. Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP): If your spouse is not already enrolled: Your new spouse becomes eligible to apply for coverage. To apply: Your spouse can apply within 60 days of the marriage using a shortened underwriting form.

6. Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): If you are a FERS employee: You may want to update your beneficiary designation for your TSP account, according to OPM. To make the change: Contact your agency's HR office or the TSP service office. For more information, check out this article: https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/life-events/memy-family/im-getting-married-or-remarried/

For more information on this visit: https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/life-events/memy-family/im-getting-married-or-remarried/