FERS Survivor Benefits Made Simple

Have you ever wondered what happens to your federal retirement income if you pass away before your spouse or loved ones? Many federal and postal employees and retirees ask the same question. FERS survivor benefits are a key part of planning your retirement income and protecting the financial well‑being of the people you care about most.

In this guide, we’ll explain these benefits clearly so you can feel confident about planning ahead. We’ll cover who can receive survivor benefits, how much they may get, and the real choices that matter for your retirement and lifestyle.

What Are FERS Survivor Benefits?

When you work under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), you earn a monthly pension for your own future. But you can also choose a part of that pension to continue to be paid to your spouse or eligible loved ones if you die. That payment is called a survivor annuity.

Survivor benefits are not automatic in every case. You must choose them when you retire, and your choice affects two things:

1. How much you receive each month in retirement.

2. How much your survivor will receive if you pass away first.

Who Can Get FERS Survivor Benefits?

If you pass away after either retiring or while still working, certain people may be eligible to receive monthly survivor payments:

1. Current Spouse

A spouse who was married to you at the time of your death may qualify for survivor benefits. To qualify for a monthly benefit, your marriage must have met certain time requirements unless the death was accidental or there was a child born of the marriage.

2. Former Spouse

A former spouse may receive survivor benefits if you elected this option when you retired or if a court order specifies it. The former spouse must also meet eligibility conditions.

3. Dependent Children

Unmarried children who depended on you may be eligible for monthly benefits until they either reach adulthood, marry, or finish school. There are special rules if the child has a disability.

Any children’s benefit is generally reduced if they also could receive Social Security benefits for the same period.

4. Lump Sum Option

If no survivor qualifies for ongoing monthly payments, your remaining retirement contributions may be paid in a lump sum to your estate or beneficiaries.

How Much Can a Survivor Receive?

The amount depends on the survivor option you select at retirement.

Full Survivor Benefit

If you choose the full FERS survivor benefit, your survivor will receive 50% of your unreduced annual pension. This means if your pension would have been $30,000 a year without survivor benefits, your spouse may receive about $15,000 a year after your death.

This choice reduces your own monthly pension by about 10% for the rest of your life.

Partial Survivor Benefit

You can choose a partial survivor benefit — often 25% — which lowers your pension less (about a 5% reduction) while still offering some continued income for your spouse.

No Survivor Benefit

If you choose none, there will be no monthly annuity for your spouse or loved ones based on your FERS pension. In this case, your pension stays at the full amount for your lifetime.

Important: If you are married and want less than the full survivor benefit, your spouse must agree in writing.

When Do Survivor Benefits Start?

For a current or former spouse, survivor payments begin either when you pass away or when the spouse becomes eligible based on age or service rules — depending on your situation at the time of death. Generally, survivor annuities continue for life unless the spouse remarries before age 55 (with some exceptions).

Why These Choices Matter

Your decision about survivor benefits affects your family and your retirement income in important ways:

• Financial Security: A monthly stream of income for your spouse can help keep mortgage payments, bills, and medical costs manageable if you die first.

• Health Benefits: Choosing a survivor benefit may allow your spouse to continue Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) coverage after your death. (Without a survivor benefit, FEHB could end.)

• TSP & Other Accounts: While survivor benefits protect your pension, you also have other tools like your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) or federal group life insurance that can help protect loved ones too. Make sure all these pieces work together in your overall plan.

Common Questions and Tips for You

Can I change my survivor choice after I retire?
Yes, under certain circumstances you may be able to adjust a survivor election after retirement, but timing and rules apply. Always check with the Office of Personnel Management or your HR office to understand deadlines and required paperwork.

What happens if my spouse dies before me?
If your spouse passes away first, your survivor benefit choice stays in place unless you change it, and some reductions you paid for earlier would stay as part of your benefit. You can speak with a benefits counselor to see whether updating elections makes sense.

Should I consider life insurance too?
Yes! Many federal employees use life insurance and financial planning to add extra protection beyond what FERS survivor benefits provide. These products can help cover final expenses, debts, and income gaps that a pension alone might not address.

Your Next Step

Choosing the right survivor benefit is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as you think about retirement and protecting your family’s future. That’s where we can help.

Talk with The Benefit Coordinators about how FERS survivor benefits fit into your overall retirement plan. Our team specializes in helping federal and postal employees and retirees make confident choices that protect you and your loved ones.