Washington, DC - U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Kay Coles James today announced the first open season for the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program (FEGLI) since 1999. The FEGLI 2004 Open Season will be held from September 1 through September 30, 2004, to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the program.

"The Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program is just one of the Federal benefits that employees can use to plan for the future and to anticipate the fulfillment of essential responsibility to their families," said James. "This open season will give Federal employees the opportunity to make any adjustments they need to better plan for the future."

The FEGLI program consists of basic life insurance coverage and three options that include coverage for up to five times an employee's base salary plus coverage for family members. In most cases, a new Federal employee is automatically covered by basic life insurance. The types and amounts of coverages available are not changing.

During the open season, Federal and Postal employees in eligible positions will be able to enroll in the FEGLI program or increase or change current coverage without having a physical or answering any questions about their health. The earliest that newly elected coverage will be effective is September 1, 2005.

OPM will have a special FEGLI 2004 open season website set up prior to the start of the open season which will contain an election form and more information about the program.

The Federal government established the FEGLI program on August 29, 1954. It is the largest group life insurance program in the world, covering over 4 million Federal employees and retirees, as well as many of their family members.

Our mission is to ensure the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce. OPM supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.