Life Event
Changes.
Marriage, divorce, a move, a death, a child aging out — life events trigger limited windows to change your federal benefits. Miss the deadline and you may wait years for the next opportunity, or lose the option entirely. Know your deadlines before they pass.
Act within
the deadline.
Life events open a limited window to make benefit changes outside of Open Season. The consequences of missing that window can be severe — from losing FEHB coverage for a new spouse to forfeiting survivor annuity rights. Don't wait to see if you need to act.
There are many life events that can and will affect your federal benefits — a move, divorce, marriage, a child reaching age 26, turning 65, or the death of a spouse or family member. OPM establishes strict time limits, and if you don't act within the specified window, you may not be able to make the change you need.
Don't get left out just because you were unaware of the deadline. This can be catastrophic for those who miss the window to add a survivor annuity for a new spouse or add them to a health care plan.
You moved
Relocation outside your FEHB plan's network is a qualifying event. Notify OPM immediately and select a new plan within 60 days.
Divorce
Former spouse cannot remain on your family FEHB plan. Complex court-order issues around survivor benefits and health coverage must be addressed promptly.
Marriage
31 days before to 60 days after the marriage date to change FEHB. 2-year window to elect survivor annuity for a new spouse.
Turning 65
First Medicare eligibility. 7-month Initial Enrollment Period. Part B late enrollment penalty of 10%/year applies if you miss it without a valid exemption.
Child turns 26
Contact OPM within 60 days to arrange Temporary Continuation of Coverage (up to 36 months). Disabled children may remain on the plan.
Spouse dies / Annuitant dies
Send death certificate to OPM immediately. Update FEHB enrollment, beneficiary designations, income tax withholding, and file FEGLI claims.
What to do
for each event.
Step-by-step guidance for each qualifying life event, with specific deadlines, forms, and OPM contact information.
When you move
Notify OPM immediately so you continue receiving benefit information and 1099-R statements. A relocation outside your FEHB provider's service area is a qualifying life event — you have 60 days from the move date to select a new health benefit plan.
Include your retirement claim number or Social Security number and the 3-letter/number FEHB plan code you want to switch to. Review plan brochures online to identify a suitable replacement for your new location before contacting OPM.
For dental and vision (FEDVIP) changes after a move, contact BENEFEDS at 877-888-3337 — FEDVIP is administered separately from FEHB.
Divorce
When you divorce, your former spouse is no longer a family member and cannot remain covered under your family FEHB plan. You must notify OPM promptly to remove them.
A divorce decree may require you to provide a survivor annuity or health benefits for your former spouse — this is a complex issue involving court orders and OPM acceptability. Download OPM's Life Events brochure and visit our Divorce Impact page for full guidance on protecting your benefits during and after divorce.
Marriage
You have a window from 31 days before your marriage to 60 days after to change to a family or Self Plus One FEHB enrollment. If you miss this window, you can make the change during the next Open Season.
Send a copy of your marriage certificate to:
If you were unmarried at retirement and married afterward, the annuity reduction for survivor benefits begins no earlier than the first of the month beginning nine months after the marriage date.
Turning 65 — Medicare eligibility
Age 65 is when you first become eligible for Medicare benefits. If you are retired and receiving Social Security, you will be automatically enrolled in Parts A and B and should receive your Medicare card three months before your birthday.
If you are not receiving Social Security, you have a 7-month Initial Enrollment Period — starting 3 months before your birthday month. Enroll at medicare.gov, your local Social Security office, or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
See our full Medicare page for complete guidance on Part A vs. Part B decisions, IRMAA premiums, and how Medicare coordinates with your FEHB plan.
When a child reaches age 26
Contact OPM within 60 days after the child turns 26 if you want to arrange Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) for the child for up to 36 months. The child must request enrollment and will pay the full premium plus 2%.
Disabled children may remain on the parents' FEHB plan beyond age 26 — contact OPM for details and see OPM pamphlet RI-79-2 for full eligibility requirements.
The death of a spouse
Send a copy of your spouse's death certificate to OPM. If you were providing a survivor annuity for your spouse, OPM will generally increase your annuity after receiving proof of death.
- Send death certificate to OPM
- If your annuity will increase, coordinate with OPM — they can handle this by phone
- Consider changing your FEHB plan to Self Only if you have no other eligible family members
- If you had FEGLI Option C (Family) coverage, ask OPM for a life insurance claim form
- Review and update your federal and state income tax withholding
- Update FEGLI beneficiary designation using SF-2823
- Update CSRS annuity beneficiary using SF-2808 or FERS using SF-3102
When the annuitant dies
Family members should contact OPM immediately. Any funds sent to the annuitant after their death must be returned to OPM. It is illegal to cash annuity checks made out to a deceased annuitant or withdraw automatically deposited funds.
- Contact OPM immediately — they will send the required forms and provide instructions
- Return any annuity payments deposited after the date of death
- Send a copy of the death certificate and marriage certificate (for widow/widower claims)
- Notify the appropriate financial institutions of the death
- OPM offers an informative video guide to help survivors through the process
See our full Reporting a Death page and Survivor Benefits guide for complete step-by-step guidance.
OPM guides
& key contacts.
OPM's Life Events guide, beneficiary change forms, and direct contacts for making benefit changes after a qualifying event.