Survivor Benefits Planning
The decisions you make about survivor benefits are permanent and irreversible. Get expert guidance to ensure your spouse and family are protected without overpaying for coverage you don't need.
Comprehensive Survivor Benefits Analysis
We help you understand all your options for protecting your family and make the choice that best balances your income needs with your spouse's security.
FERS Survivor Annuity Analysis
We model full (50%), partial (25%), and no survivor annuity options. You'll see exactly how each choice affects your monthly pension and your spouse's lifetime income if you pass away first.
FEGLI Cost-Benefit Analysis
Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance premiums increase significantly after age 65. We analyze whether FEGLI makes sense in retirement or if private insurance offers better value for your situation.
Insurance Needs Calculation
How much survivor income does your spouse actually need? We calculate the gap between your survivor benefits and your spouse's income requirements to determine if additional coverage is necessary.
Social Security Survivor Benefits
Social Security survivor benefits can replace a significant portion of your income for your spouse. We factor these benefits into the overall analysis so you don't over-insure.
Special Provisions Analysis
LEO, firefighter, and ATC employees have different survivor benefit rules. We understand the special provisions that apply to your category and factor them into recommendations.
Documentation Support
Survivor benefit elections require specific forms and spousal consent. We help you understand the paperwork and ensure your decisions are properly documented.
Understanding FERS Survivor Benefits
With full survivor benefit election, your spouse receives 50% of your unreduced annuity for life.
Electing full survivor benefits reduces your monthly pension by approximately 10%.
The 25% partial survivor benefit reduces your pension by approximately 5%.
Survivor Benefits Decisions Are Complex
Irrevocable Decision Anxiety
Once you select your survivor benefit at retirement, you cannot change it. This permanence makes the decision stressful. We help you analyze the options thoroughly so you can decide with confidence.
FEGLI Premium Shock
FEGLI premiums increase dramatically after retirement, especially after age 65. Many retirees are surprised by the cost. We show you the lifetime cost of FEGLI versus alternatives before you retire.
Balancing Income vs Protection
Higher survivor benefits mean lower pension for you. Is the trade-off worth it? We help you find the right balance based on your spouse's other income sources and needs.
Health Considerations
If one spouse has health concerns, the calculation changes. We factor in life expectancy considerations and insurance alternatives for those who may not qualify for private coverage.
Survivor Benefits FAQs
What happens if I don't elect a survivor benefit?
If you're married and decline survivor benefits, your spouse must provide written consent. Upon your death, your pension stops completely and your spouse receives nothing from your FERS annuity. They may still receive Social Security survivor benefits and any TSP balance you leave.
Can I change my survivor benefit election after retirement?
In most cases, no. The survivor benefit election made at retirement is permanent. There are very limited exceptions, such as marriage after retirement (you have 2 years to elect survivor benefits for a new spouse). This is why getting the decision right the first time is crucial.
Is the survivor benefit taxable to my spouse?
Yes, the FERS survivor annuity is taxable as ordinary income to your surviving spouse, similar to how your pension is taxed during your lifetime. Your spouse should factor this into their retirement budget planning.
What if my spouse dies before me after I elected survivor benefits?
If your spouse predeceases you and you elected survivor benefits, your pension will be increased to the full amount (as if you had not elected survivor benefits) effective the first day of the month after your spouse's death.
Should I drop FEGLI in retirement?
It depends on your insurance needs and the cost. FEGLI Basic increases in cost after 65 and provides a benefit that reduces over time (75% reduction option). For many retirees, private term insurance or no insurance at all makes more sense. We analyze your specific situation to make a recommendation.
Protect Your Family with Confidence
Don't leave one of the most important decisions of your federal career to chance. Get expert guidance on survivor benefits before you retire.