Questions Federal Employees Ask Most
1. What is FEGLI?
The Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program is the life insurance program available to most federal employees. It provides Basic coverage and several Optional coverages designed to help protect employees and their families.
2. Is FEGLI enough to protect my family?
There isn't a one-size-fits-all answer. Whether FEGLI is enough depends on your family's financial responsibilities, debts, income needs, children, retirement plans, and other resources. Our goal is to help you understand your coverage so you can determine whether it aligns with your family's needs.
3. How do I know how much FEGLI coverage I have?
Many federal employees aren't completely sure. Your coverage depends on your salary, the options you've elected, and your current employment status. During a FEGLI Coverage Review, we can help you understand how your coverage is calculated and what it means for your family.
4. What happens to my FEGLI when I retire?
That depends on several factors, including: Whether you're eligible to continue FEGLI into retirement, which FEGLI options you elected, the reduction options you choose, and your retirement age. Many employees are surprised to learn that retirement elections can affect both future coverage amounts and premiums.
5. What are Living Benefits?
Some individually owned life insurance policies include Living Benefits that may allow access to a portion of the death benefit if the insured experiences a qualifying chronic, critical, or terminal illness. FEGLI does not include these features. Whether Living Benefits are appropriate depends on your individual circumstances.
6. Can I keep FEGLI and own another life insurance policy?
Yes. Many federal employees choose to keep their FEGLI coverage while also owning an individual policy. These coverages can work together depending on a family's goals and financial situation.
7. Should I cancel my FEGLI?
Not necessarily. There is no universal answer. Every family has different goals, responsibilities, and financial circumstances. Before making changes to your benefits, it's important to understand what you currently have and what your options are.
8. Do I need life insurance after I retire?
Many retirees continue to have financial responsibilities, including: A spouse's income needs, mortgage payments, final expenses, estate planning goals, adult children with special needs, grandchildren, and legacy planning. The need for life insurance often changes in retirement rather than disappearing altogether.
9. What is a beneficiary?
A beneficiary is the person (or people) designated to receive your life insurance proceeds when you die. Keeping beneficiary designations current is one of the simplest—and most important—steps you can take to help your family.
10. How often should I review my beneficiaries?
It's a good idea to review your beneficiaries after major life events such as: Marriage, divorce, birth or adoption of a child, death of a beneficiary, retirement, creating a trust, or significant changes in your family. Even if nothing has changed, reviewing your designations every few years is a good habit.
11. What if I don't know who my beneficiary is?
You're not alone. Many people haven't reviewed their beneficiary designations in years. Our Family Beneficiary Checkup™ worksheet is a great place to begin.
12. Can FEGLI be converted into an individual policy?
In certain situations, yes. When FEGLI coverage ends under qualifying circumstances, employees may have the opportunity to convert eligible coverage to an individual permanent life insurance policy without a medical examination, subject to FEGLI rules and the participating insurance company's requirements.
13. Why do so many federal employees misunderstand FEGLI?
Because FEGLI has many options, elections, reduction choices, beneficiary rules, and retirement provisions. Most employees receive the information during onboarding or open season, but few have the opportunity to revisit it years later. That's why education matters.
14. What happens during a FEGLI Coverage Review?
During your complimentary review, we'll discuss: Your current FEGLI coverage, common areas of confusion, beneficiary considerations, retirement questions, Living Benefits, and questions you may want to explore further. Our goal is education—not pressure. You'll leave with a better understanding of your options.
15. How long does the review take?
Approximately 30 minutes. The meeting is designed to be educational, conversational, and focused on helping you better understand your benefits.
Why is Private Family Blueprint different?
Many conversations about life insurance begin with products. Ours begins with education.
We believe families make their best financial decisions when someone takes the time to teach—not sell.
Whether you decide to keep your current coverage, explore additional options, or simply gain a better understanding of your benefits, our goal is the same: To help you move forward with confidence, not confusion.