JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas — For the first time in 12 years, the Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance program is having an open season, which will run from Sept. 1-30. 

During the open season, eligible federal employees can enroll in FEGLI or increase coverage up to the maximum offered by the program, including Option C coverage on the lives of spouses and eligible dependent children under age 22. In order to participate in the open season, employees must be in a retirement covered position authorized for FEGLI coverage.

The federal government established the FEGLI program on Aug. 29, 1954. The largest group life insurance program in the world, FEGLI covers over 4 million federal employees and retirees, as well as many of their family members. 

Opportunities for federal civilians to enroll in the FEGLI program or to pick up coverage that was waived are normally limited to newly hired/newly eligible employees, rehired employees with a break of 180 days or more, open season, provision of medical information, a life event or designation as emergency essential in the Defense Department, and deployment in support of a contingency operation in a civilian capacity.

Enrolled employees can cancel or reduce coverage or change beneficiaries at any time without waiting for an open season. Elections or changes made during the 2016 FEGLI open season are effective Oct. 1, 2017.

Employees will make their elections in the Employee Benefits Information System via the AFPC Secure website.

More information on FEGLI is available on the OPM website.

For more information about Air Force personnel programs, go to the myPers website. Individuals who do not have a myPers account can request one by following the instructions on the Air Force Retirees Services website.