How to report the death of a federal retiree to OPM, and what survivors do next

Last updated November 9, 2026

Published November 3, 2026 · By the OnPAR Federal Retirement Education editorial team · Last reviewed Nov 2026

Short answer: To report the death of a federal retiree to OPM, use OPM's online Report Annuitant Death form or call OPM's Retirement Information Office at 888-767-6738, Monday through Friday, 7:40 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern (OPM Survivor Benefits). OPM says survivors, family or estate representatives are required to notify it, and all payments received after the date of death must be returned to the Treasury (OPM special notice).

What changed: OPM found about 50,000 deceased people still listed in FEHB

On November 2, 2026, OPM said it matched Treasury's August 2026 Death Record Confidence Scoring Tool against FEHB enrollment records and found about 50,000 deceased people still listed in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (OPM news release). OPM's figures:

• $96.3 million in improper payments made after the date of death: $70.6 million in government FEHB premium contributions and $25.7 million in retirement payments.
• An estimated $10.4 million in carrier costs tied to more than 20,000 people who remain on carrier rolls even though no government premium is being paid for them.
• OPM says it will examine claims that may have been paid after the date of death "in the coming weeks."

The takeaway for families is simple: a death that isn't reported to OPM can keep payments and health coverage running, and that money has to come back later. Reporting promptly also starts any survivor benefits.

Who it affects

• Families of FERS and CSRS retirees and survivor annuitants. OPM's online tool covers the death of a retiree or survivor annuitant currently receiving an OPM benefit (OPM).
• Families of current federal employees. Don't use the OPM retiree form. OPM says to report the death directly to the employing agency, which then sends survivors an information packet (OPM Survivor Benefits).
• Families of former employees who hadn't retired. OPM says to call 888-767-6738. It will review the service record and tell survivors whether a lump sum or (FERS only) survivor annuity is payable.

How to report the death of a federal retiree to OPM

• Online: go to OPM's Report Annuitant Death page. OPM says family members, caregivers or friends can file it. You enter the retiree's details, any surviving spouse or children, and your own contact information (OPM how-to).
• By phone: 888-767-6738 (TTY 711), weekdays 7:40 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern. OPM says its busiest time is 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Eastern.
• Have ready: the retiree's name, date of birth, Social Security number, CSA claim number and address, plus the names and addresses of survivors (OPM Survivor Benefits). OPM says the CSA or CSF claim number is on the 1099-R, the annual COLA notice or the benefits booklet (OPM how-to).
• What happens next: after an online report, OPM emails a confirmation and usually responds by phone or email within 3 to 5 business days. OPM asks you not to contact it in the meantime.

Payments after the death

OPM says all payments received after the annuitant's date of death must be returned to the Treasury Department. If the payment came by check, write the date of death on the check and return it to the Treasury address on the envelope. If it came by direct deposit, tell the bank about the death (OPM special notice). If payments went out after the date of death, OPM may send survivors or heirs a reclamation notice with instructions (OPM Survivor Benefits). OPM calls this a reclamation debt: an overpayment for the period between the date of death and when OPM is officially notified, which can be paid through OPM's payment page.

After you report: the survivor packet

For a retiree, OPM says it creates a CSF claim number and mails the survivors a packet with the Application for Death Benefits (SF 3104 for FERS, SF 2800 for CSRS) and, if applicable, the OFEGLI life insurance claim (FE-6). OFEGLI's number is 800-633-4542 (OPM Survivor Benefits). Send these with the application to avoid delays:

• Proof of death showing the date and cause or manner of death. OPM can't accept a pending death certificate.
• A surviving spouse's marriage certificate, plus proof that any earlier marriages ended (divorce, annulment or death records).
• For a child, a birth certificate showing both parents' names. For a minor child, a copy of the Social Security award determination.
• For an executor or administrator, a copy of the court appointment with a raised seal.

OPM pays survivor benefits by electronic funds transfer, with only narrow exceptions. Current processing times are on OPM's Retirement Processing Times page.

Health coverage for the survivors

Under OPM's FEHB rules, the enrollment continues for surviving family members only if the retiree was enrolled in Self Plus One or Self and Family at the time of death and at least one family member is entitled to a survivor annuity. With Self Plus One, only the designated covered family member can continue, and only if that person gets a survivor annuity. Survivors who qualify don't need to do anything to keep coverage (OPM FEHB annuitants reference). If the retiree had Self Only, OPM says survivors aren't eligible for FEHB (OPM FAQ).

If you're a retiree and a family member on your Self Plus One or Self and Family enrollment has died, OPM says annuitants may decrease their enrollment (for example, to Self Only) at any time, with a narrow exception for court-ordered child coverage (OPM). You don't have to wait for Open Season, which runs November 9 to December 14, 2026 (OPM Open Season).

Worked example: what the survivor election means

Illustration only, using OPM's published percentages. OPM computes the actual amounts.

Lee retired under FERS with an unreduced annual annuity of $30,000 and was married at retirement.

Percentages from OPM Survivor Benefits. Amounts are before COLAs, taxes and premiums. If no one is or will be eligible for a monthly survivor annuity, OPM says a lump sum of any remaining retirement deductions may be payable instead.

Social Security and the TSP

• Social Security: SSA says a funeral home will usually tell it when someone dies, so you may not need to report the death yourself (SSA Survivor benefits). Survivors may qualify for monthly Social Security survivor benefits.
• TSP: the TSP account is separate from the OPM annuity. See TSP.gov's Death and beneficiary support page for how to report a participant's death.

Next steps

• If a retiree has died: report it to OPM online or at 888-767-6738, tell the bank, don't spend post-death deposits, and return the SF 3104 or SF 2800 with the documents above.
• If you're planning now: check your survivor election and FEHB enrollment type. Our FERS survivor benefit guide, FEHB for a surviving spouse and FEGLI in retirement explain the choices.
• Run the numbers: see how a 10% or 5% survivor reduction changes your check with the FERS pension calculator or the full FERS retirement calculator.
• Manage the annuity online: OPM Retirement Services Online how-to.
• Questions? Book a free call.

Sources

• OPM: Review Identifies $106.7 Million in Improper Payments in FEHBP (Nov 2, 2026)
• OPM: Report an annuitant death
• OPM: Report Annuitant Death online form
• OPM: Special Notice regarding Death of Annuitants
• OPM: Survivor Benefits
• OPM: How to Make a Payment (reclamation debt)
• OPM: FEHB reference, Annuitants
• OPM FAQ: Can my family continue their health insurance after I die?
• OPM: Open Season
• OPM: Retirement Processing Times
• SSA: Survivor benefits
• TSP: Death and beneficiary support

Questions and answers

How do I report the death of a federal retiree to OPM?

Use OPM's online Report Annuitant Death form at rsreporting.opm.gov/AnnuitantDeath, or call OPM's Retirement Information Office at 888-767-6738, Monday through Friday, 7:40 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern. Family members, caregivers or friends can report it.

What information do I need to report a retiree's death?

OPM asks for the retiree's name, date of birth, Social Security number, CSA claim number and address, plus the names and addresses of survivors. The claim number is on the 1099-R, the annual COLA notice or the benefits booklet.

What happens to OPM payments made after the death?

OPM says all payments received after the date of death must be returned to the Treasury. Return uncashed checks with the date of death written on them, and tell the bank about any direct deposits. OPM may send survivors or heirs a reclamation notice.

Can a surviving spouse keep FEHB after a retiree dies?

Yes, if the retiree was enrolled in Self Plus One or Self and Family at death and the family member is entitled to a survivor annuity. With Self Plus One, only the designated covered family member can continue. If the retiree had Self Only, survivors are not eligible.

Who reports the death of a current federal employee?

OPM says to report the death of a current federal employee directly to the employing agency, not through the OPM retiree form.

Do I also need to tell Social Security?

SSA says a funeral home will usually tell it when someone dies, so you may not need to report the death yourself.