Designation of Beneficiary
It’s important to ensure that your loved ones are taken care of in the event of your death. Designating a beneficiary is not mandatory. If a designation of beneficiary is not filed, in the event of death, any monies will be paid according to the order of legal precedence, as follows:
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Spouse, if any.
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Otherwise to children in equal shares, if any.
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Otherwise to parents in equal shares, if living.
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Otherwise to executor of the estate, if any.
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Otherwise to your next of kin under applicable state law.
It is important to note that same-sex domestic partners are not considered to be in the "order of precedence" and therefore must be specified as a designated beneficiary to ensure benefits are received in the event of your death.
GSA employees may change designations at any time by submitting a new form to GSA’s Consolidated Processing Center at: 1500 East Bannister Road, Kansas City, MO, 64131. Any life event (s), i.e., marriage, birth, adoption of a child, divorce etc., may impact the distribution of your benefits, if your designation of beneficiary forms are not kept current.
To designate a beneficiary new employees should fill out one or all of the forms below as appropriate. Please note that all of the forms require two witnesses to your signature. Anyone can sign as a witness as long as they are not named a beneficiary. Forms must be free of any erasures or changes.
Listed below are the forms you need:
- Designation of Beneficiary, Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program (SF-2823) - if you have enrolled in Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance this form is for any life insurance benefit payable.
- Designation of Beneficiary, Unpaid Compensation of Deceased Civilian Employee (SF1152) - this form is for any unpaid compensation (for example a final paycheck, any accrued annual leave, etc.) payable by GSA.
- Thrift Savings Plan Designation of Beneficiary (TSP-3) – if you have enrolled in a Thrift Savings Plan account this form is for your Thrift Savings Plan beneficiary.
- Designation of Beneficiary, Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) (SF-3102), or if applicable Designation of Beneficiary, CSRS (SF-2808) – this form is used if you wish to designate a beneficiary for lump sum benefits in the event you leave no spouse or children eligible for survivor benefits.
- FEHB Enrollment Form (SF-2809)
- Life Insurance (SF-2817)
