Changing your name

If you want your name to be changed in the agency's official records, you must ask your agency personnel office/HR department to prepare the personnel action to do this. Verification of your name change (e.g. marriage certificate) should be submitted.

Updating Health Coverage

You may want to change to a family health benefits enrollment. You may enroll or change enrollment from 'self only' to 'self and family', from one plan or option to another, or make any combination of these changes during the period beginning 31 days before and ending 60 days after a change in your family status. Otherwise, you will have to wait until the next health benefits open season to make the change.

Changing health coverage before your marriage: If you want to provide immediate coverage for your new spouse, you may submit an enrollment request during the pay period before the anticipated date of your marriage. If the effective date of the change is before your marriage, your new spouse does not become eligible for coverage until the actual day of your marriage.

If you enroll or change your enrollment before the date of your marriage and intend to change your name, you must note on your request: "Now: [Current Name] will be: [Married Name]." You must also give the reason for the change and the date of the marriage in your request.

If you enrolled or changed your enrollment before your anticipated marriage date and you do not get married, your employing office must void the request. If you changed plans, your employing office must be sure to notify both the old and the new carrier that your change was voided.

You must provide supporting documentation (e.g. marriage certificate) for any "Non-Open Season" change. Documentation should be submitted to your HR/personnel office.

For more questions, consult the FEHB Handbook ' Change in Family Status'  section.

Updating Life Insurance

If you already have a family plan, your personnel office can assist you in getting your spouse (and if appropriate, stepchildren) added to your enrollment. Changes must be made within 60 calendar days of your marriage.

If you already have Basic, you may elect Option B or you can increase your multiples of Option B. The number of multiples you can get depends on the life event. For example, if you marry, the number of multiples you can get is equal to the number of additional family members acquired with your marriage. There is a table in the FEGLI Booklet (FE 76-21 or FE 76-20 for Postal employees) with the life events and the number of multiples you may elect.

You can also elect Option C or increase your multiples of Option C. You can elect from one to five multiples, regardless of the number of eligible family members you have or acquired.

You must provide supporting documentation (e.g. marriage certificate) for any "Non-Open Season" change. Documentation should be submitted to your HR/personnel office.

Update Designations of Beneficiary

You may want to change your designations of beneficiary for life insurance or for retirement. New designations must be in writing and witnessed. Your agency can provide you with the appropriate forms or you may print them using the links below. There can be no erasures or cross-outs on these forms. If the forms are incomplete or have errant marks, they will not be processed and will be returned to you.

• SF 2808 - Designation of Beneficiary (CSRS)(PDF-34KB)
• SF 3102 - Designation of Beneficiary (FERS)(PDF-80KB)
• SF 2823 - Designation of Beneficiary (FEGLI) (PDF-120KB)
• TSP 3 - Designation of Beneficiary (completed form must be mailed to TSP) (PDF-29KB)
• SF-1152 - Designation of Beneficiary - Unpaid Compensation of Deceased Civilian Employee (PDF-167 KB)

When your beneficiary forms are filled in, be sure you have signed them. After obtaining witness signatures, submit your completed forms to the address or agency noted on the form.

NOTE: If you choose to complete beneficiary forms, it is your responsibility to keep them up to date. A marriage, divorce, or other change in family status does not automatically change a beneficiary form previously submitted, nor does it prevent the named beneficiary from receiving the death benefits.

You may also wish to check OPM's "Frequently Asked Questions" (FAQS) regarding designations of beneficiary. OPM's website also provides more information regarding beneficiary issues , including information on the "order of precedence" in which your benefits will be distributed should you pass away.

Changing Tax withholdings

You may want to change your income tax withholdings. You can do this using myPay or by contacting your HR/pay office and letting them know how much you want withheld.