Do I need to designate a beneficiary?

If you die while you are a federal employee, benefits from the following sources will be paid to beneficiaries in a particular order set by law from:

• Life Insurance (FEGLI)
• Unpaid Salary/Compensation
• Thrift Savings Plan funds
• Retirement Lump Sum

Standard rules determine who is eligible to receive these payments. If you are satisfied with the order of payment for that program, you do not have to take any action. But if you want these funds to go to someone else, you need to file a Designation of Beneficiary for that program.
 
For more information on Designation of Beneficiary or the order of precedence which apply to all of the above benefits, please visit:
http://www.opm.gov/insure/life/beneficiary/designateforms.asp