U.S. Office of Personnel Management - Ensuring the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce

When you retire, you are eligible to continue Basic and Optional (if applicable) insurance - or have it reinstated - if you meet all of the following requirements:

• you are entitled to retire on an immediate annuity (or under Section 8413 [Immediate Retirement under FERS] or 8414 [Early Retirement under FERS] of title 5, U.S. Code) under a retirement system for civilian employees;
• you have been insured for the 5 years of service immediately before the date your annuity starts, or for the full period(s) of service during which you were eligible to be insured if less than 5 years (called the "all opportunity" requirement); and
• you have not converted your life insurance coverage to an individual policy or if you have already converted the coverage, you cancel the converted policy.

To cancel the converted policy, contact the insurance company and ask to cancel the policy. That company will send you a refund of any premiums you already paid for the converted policy.

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