How does the FERS survivor benefit work?

By the OnPAR Federal Retirement Education editorial team · Last updated October 27, 2026

At retirement, married employees choose a full survivor benefit (50% of your unreduced pension to your spouse, costing you 10%), a partial one (25%, costing 5%), or none with your spouse's notarized consent. The full survivor choice also keeps your spouse eligible for FEHB after you die.

The Pension calculator shows all three options.

Run the numbers → open the calculator

Sources

• OPM: FERS Computation (survivor reductions)