Most federal employees check one box on their first day of work. Then they never think about it again. If you've ever looked at your pay stub and wondered what "FEGLI" is, this guide is for you. FEGLI stands for Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance. It's the life insurance program run by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
Here's what you'll learn: which coverage you probably have, how much it pays, and how much does FEGLI cost you each pay period. We'll go through the FEGLI Option A B C choices in plain English. If you're wondering what happens to this coverage after you retire, we cover that in a separate guide on keeping FEGLI into retirement.
OPM FEGLI Explained: The Basics
Let's break this down. FEGLI has two parts: Basic and Optional.
Basic Insurance
Most new federal employees get Basic coverage automatically. You pay for it through payroll unless you turn it down in writing. The government covers about one-third of the Basic cost. You cover the rest.
Your Basic coverage amount is simple:
- Take your annual basic pay.
- Round it up to the next $1,000.
- Add $2,000.
That's your "Basic Insurance Amount," or BIA. Basic pay means your salary including locality pay. It leaves out overtime and bonuses. If you're not sure what your pay includes, our guide on reading your GS grade and step can help. Wage grade employees use their annualized basic rate.
The Extra Benefit for Younger Workers
If you're under 36, your Basic coverage gets a bonus called the Extra Benefit. It doubles your death benefit. After age 35, it shrinks by 10 percent each year. By age 45, it's gone.
You don't pay extra for it. That makes Basic one of the best deals in the whole program.
Optional Insurance
Optional coverage is extra insurance you choose and pay for yourself. There are three kinds:
- Option A (Standard): a flat $10,000.
- Option B (Additional): 1 to 5 times your annual pay.
- Option C (Family): coverage for your spouse and children.
These three make up the federal employee life insurance options you can stack on top of Basic. FEGLI premiums come out of your paycheck after taxes. The death benefit your family receives is generally income tax free.
How Much Does FEGLI Cost? Start With Basic
Now for the part you came for. The rates below are rounded and may change. Check the current chart at OPM's FEGLI page before making decisions.
Basic costs roughly 15 cents per $1,000 of coverage, per two-week pay period, taken from your pay. Let's work through an example.
Example: Maya, Age 32, GS-9
Say Maya earns $74,300 a year including locality pay.
- Round up to the next $1,000: $75,000
- Add $2,000: $77,000 (her BIA)
- Because she's under 36, the Extra Benefit doubles it: $154,000 in coverage
- Cost: 77 × $0.15 = about $11.55 per pay period
- Yearly cost: $11.55 × 26 = about $300
Notice Maya pays only for the $77,000. She gets $154,000 of protection. That's a good deal while you're young.
Example: Carlos, Age 50, Same Salary
Carlos has the same salary, so his BIA is also $77,000. But at 50, the Extra Benefit is gone. He has $77,000 in coverage and pays the same $11.55 per pay period.
Basic rates don't go up with age. Your coverage just stops getting that early boost. You can look up your own pay in our 2026 GS pay scale tables.
FEGLI Option A B C: Your Choices Explained
This is where cost starts to climb. Optional coverage prices go up as you age, and you pay the full cost yourself.
Option A: The $10,000 Starter
Option A adds a flat $10,000. It's cheap for younger workers, often under a dollar or two per pay period. It gets pricier in your 50s and 60s.
Who it fits: someone who needs a small cushion for funeral costs or a credit card balance.
Option B: The Big Coverage Boost
Option B is where most people can add real protection. You pick 1x, 2x, 3x, 4x, or 5x your annual pay, rounded up to the next $1,000. Each multiple is priced per $1,000.
Here's roughly how the rates climb. These are illustrative, so confirm them on the OPM chart:
- Around age 35: about 2 cents per $1,000 per pay period
- Around age 45: about 6 cents
- Around age 55: about 20 cents
That means the same coverage can cost ten times more at 55 than at 35. This is why age matters so much.
Option C: Covering Your Family
Option C comes in "multiples." Each multiple gives you:
- $5,000 on your spouse
- $2,500 on each eligible child
You can buy 1 to 5 multiples. A full 5 multiples gives $25,000 for a spouse and $12,500 per child. The price depends on your age, not the number of kids.
Who it fits: parents who want help covering final expenses for a family member. Most people need far less coverage on a spouse or child than on themselves.
If you're comparing this to civilian or military coverage, our guide to life insurance for military families walks through SGLI and private policies.
FEGLI Coverage Amounts in Real Life
Let's put it all together with a few full scenarios. All use the rounded rates above, so treat the dollar amounts as estimates.
Scenario 1: Early Career, Single, No Kids
Jordan is 28, earns $62,000 a year, and has Basic only.
- BIA: $62,000 + $2,000 = $64,000
- With Extra Benefit: $128,000 in coverage
- Cost: 64 × $0.15 = about $9.60 per pay period (about $250 a year)
Jordan likely doesn't need more right now. No one depends on his income.
Scenario 2: Mid-Career Parent
Priya is 40, earns $95,000, and has two kids and a spouse. She buys Basic plus Option B at 3x.
- Basic coverage: $95,000 + $2,000 = $97,000
- Option B 3x: 3 × $95,000 = $285,000
- Total: $382,000
- Basic cost: 97 × $0.15 = about $14.55 per pay period
- Option B cost, at an illustrative 4 cents per $1,000: 285 × $0.04 = about $11.40 per pay period
- Total: about $26 per pay period, or roughly $675 a year
Priya's total of $382,000 is about four times her salary. Many families aim for 5 to 10 times income. She may want a private term policy to fill the gap.
Scenario 3: Late Career, Age 57
Dale earns $120,000 and has Basic plus Option B at 5x.
- Basic: $122,000
- Option B 5x: $600,000
- At an illustrative 20 cents per $1,000: 600 × $0.20 = $120 per pay period
- Yearly: about $3,120
Same type of coverage, but a much bigger bill. At this age, compare quotes. A private term policy might be cheaper if you're healthy. Check with a licensed agent, and read FedWeek's coverage of FEGLI changes at FedWeek.
Common FEGLI Mistakes and Misconceptions
Here's what people get wrong most often.
"Basic is all I need." Basic equals about one year of pay. For most families, that's not enough to replace lost income.
"Option B stays cheap." It doesn't. The price rises every five years as you age.
"I'll add coverage later." Outside of special windows, you may need to prove good health to add or increase optional coverage. You can't count on being able to buy it when you need it. Ask your HR office about timing rules.
"My raise doesn't change my coverage." It does. When your pay rises, your coverage and your premium rise too. A promotion or a new GS pay raise can nudge your cost up.
"I forgot to update my beneficiary." If you never named one, FEGLI pays in a set order: spouse, then children, then parents. That may not match what you want. This is a big deal after marriage or divorce. Our estate planning basics for federal retirees article explains why.
"FEGLI is my only option." It isn't. SGLI, private term life, and group policies are all worth a look.
Step-by-Step: Find Your Coverage and Cost
Follow these steps to see what you really have.
- Check your pay stub. Look for lines labeled "FEGLI," "Basic Life," or "Option B."
- Find your election in your agency's HR system. Many agencies use an employee self-service portal. Your HR office can also help.
- Write down your annual basic pay. Round it up to the next $1,000. Add $2,000 to get your Basic coverage.
- Check your age. If you're 35 or under, double that number. If you're 36 to 44, the bonus is smaller.
- Add any options. Option A is $10,000. Option B is your rounded pay times your multiple. Option C is $5,000 per spouse multiple.
- Look up your rate. Use the current chart on OPM.gov. Multiply the rate by your coverage in thousands.
- Multiply by 26. That's your yearly cost.
- Check your beneficiary. Make sure it's current. Use the right form (SF 2823).
- Compare. Ask whether a private term policy gives more coverage for the same money.
Don't forget the rest of your paycheck. FEGLI is just one deduction. The FEHB calculator is the easiest way to see your exact health premium numbers. It's free and quick. It doesn't calculate FEGLI, so use the OPM chart for that. Together they show your full benefits costs. You can also run your take-home pay through our tax calculator. For the health side, read our FEHB plans and costs guide.
Is It Worth It? The Honest Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Basic is cheap, and the Extra Benefit is free for young workers.
- No health exam is needed to get Basic.
- Payroll deduction makes it easy.
Cons:
- Optional coverage gets expensive with age.
- Coverage is based on pay, so it may not match your real needs.
- Private term insurance can be cheaper for healthy people.
Moving to a different agency doesn't end FEGLI. Your coverage generally continues. See our guide on what happens to your benefits when you transfer.
Key Takeaways: The Bottom Line
- Basic coverage is your salary rounded up, plus $2,000. Under 36, it's doubled.
- Basic costs about 15 cents per $1,000 per pay period. Maya's $77,000 BIA costs about $300 a year.
- Option A is $10,000. Option B is 1 to 5 times your pay. Option C covers family.
- Optional prices climb with age, so shop around.
- Keep your beneficiary form current.
Pull out your latest pay stub today. Find your FEGLI line and compare it to the OPM chart. Then try the FEHB calculator to see your personal health premium results. Your family will thank you later.