Return to Article: Supporting Your Survivors

By Tammy Flanagan National Institute of Transition Planning April 18, 2008
  • 49265

    In the recent column about the "survivor benefit," nothing was mentioned about the surviving spouse continuing to be covered under the health insurance policy of the retired spouse who dies. Does there have to be at least a nominal monthly survivor benefit for the surviving spouse for that spouse to continue being covered under the retired spouse's federal health insurance benefit after that spouse dies, which is especially important before age 65? Is this the same whether the surviving spouse was also a federal employee, either also retired or eligible to retire?

    Patricia MacMillan Posted April 23, 2008 11:09 AM
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    I have 31 years of service under CSRS but I'm 53 and don't yet qualify to retire. I have life insurance that covers my wife/family. If I die before qualifying for my pension, does my wife only get to cash in the life insurance and my CSRS contributions - or, does she get a limited pension via survivor benefits? I've heard that she gets the pension but I can't see this happening since I haven't retired and there is no survivor benefit "election." Thanks for your time. I love your column and look forward to each publication.

    Gary Markowitz Posted April 18, 2008 1:46 PM
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    Why are the charges deducted from a retiree's annuity to implement so-called full- and half- survivor annuities kept by the government when the designated "survivor" dies before the retiree? This seems to be a great inequity - paying for a service that is never rendered - that should be corrected by Congress at its earliest opportunity. What are your thoughts on this seeming windfall for the government?

    Desert Dweller Posted April 18, 2008 12:30 PM
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    I converted to FERS after 22.5 years in CSRS; 32.0 now. Does FERS have a 55% of my retirement benefit like CSRS? Is it pre-tax money that is used for the 10% decrease in my annuity for the full survivor benefit? Thanks.

    Tom Wlodyka Posted April 18, 2008 11:10 AM
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    I will be retiring at 62 this Dec. I was considering keeping my basic life insurance coverage in leau of the survivor benefit. It will cost $135 per month which is $50 dollars more per month than the survivor deduction, but my wife would get a lump sum of $63000 instead of the $400 dollars per month. From what I have read that premium stays the same until I die. Has anyone else considered this option? Does it make sense? Thanks

    Jim Seif Posted April 18, 2008 8:52 AM

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