Death of Annuitant
You can report the death in one of three ways:
- ONLINE:
www.opm.gov/ReportDeath
- PHONE:
Call 1-888-767-6738 (1-88USOPMRET).
The phone lines are open from 7:50AM to 5:00PM. It is a busy phone number so you may want to try early in the morning or after 4:00PM when the phone lines are less busy.
- MAIL:
Write to:
U.S. Office of Personnel Management
Retirement Operations Center
P.O. Box 45
Boyers, PA 16017-0045
Include the deceased annuitant's full name, name of deceased, date of death, retirement claim number and/or social security number.
OPM will send you (and anyone who appears eligible for life insurance benefits) the life insurance claim form (FE-6).
IF YOU WISH, you may complete the claim form FE-6(PDF file) ahead of time by downloading the form from this website.
Be sure to read the instructions on the form. You will have to print out the FE-6 and send it, with a certified copy of the death certificate, to the Office of Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance, P.O. Box 6080, Scranton, PA 18505-6080.
This report of death will also stop the monthly annuity payments. OPM will send the appropriate forms for claiming a survivor annuity or a lump-sum payment of retirement contributions, if applicable, and take any necessary action on health benefits.
Death of Family Member
Complete the claim form FE-6DEP by downloading the form from this website.
Be sure to read the instructions on the form. If you need help, you may contact the Office of Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (1-800-633-4542). You will have to print out the FE-6DEP and send it, with a certified copy of the death certificate, to:
Office of Personnel Management
Retirement Operations Center
Attention: FE-6 DEP
Boyers, PA 16017
When we receive the FE-6DEP for the death of a spouse, we will also eliminate the annuity reduction for a survivor benefit, if applicable. You do not need to request this separately.
The Annuitant Receives Monthly Payments From Another Retirement System
You must report the death to that retirement system. Be sure to have the annuitant's full name, social security number and retirement claim number, if any. You'll also need the deceased annuitant's date of death.
The retirement system will notify OPM of the death. OPM will send you (and anyone who appears eligible for life insurance benefits) the life insurance claim form.
IF YOU WISH, you may complete the claim form ahead of time by downloading the form from this website:
For Annuitant's Death
Download the Form FE-6(PDF file)
Be sure to read the instructions on the form. If you need help, you may contact the Office of Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (1-800-633-4542). You will have to print out the FE-6 and send it, with a certified copy of the death certificate, to:
Office of Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance
P.O. Box 6080
Scranton, PA 18505-6080
For Family Member's Death
Download the Form FE-6DEP. Be sure to read the instructions on the FE-6 DEP form. If you need help, you may contact the Office of Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (1-800-633-4542). You will have to print out the FE-6 DEP and send it, with a certified copy of the death certificate, to:
OPM
Retirement Operations Center
Attn: FE-6 DEP
Boyers, PA 16017