Insurance and Protection for Federal Employees

Federal employees have access to valuable insurance and benefit programs, but knowing what you have is not the same as knowing whether it is enough.

The Insurance section of Finance for Feds helps federal employees understand life insurance, survivor benefits, FEHB continuation, and other protection decisions that can have a major impact on their families. We cover topics like FEGLI, WAEPA, how much life insurance federal employees may actually need, what happens to FEGLI when you die, and how survivor benefit elections affect a spouse’s long-term security.

Insurance planning is not about buying the most coverage possible. It is about protecting the people who depend on you. For some federal employees, FEGLI Basic may be a helpful foundation. For others, additional coverage through FEGLI Option B, WAEPA, or private term insurance may be worth comparing. The right answer depends on your income, debts, family situation, health, retirement timeline, and existing resources.

This section is designed to help you make informed decisions before a crisis happens. We explain the tradeoffs, costs, limitations, and planning questions behind federal employee insurance choices so you can protect your family with more confidence.