When one of these events occurs in your life, you have a short window of opportunity to alter your level of participation in your federal benefit programs-programs like your life insurance or health coverage. This window of time allows you to locate and complete the appropriate form(s) and to turn them in to your personnel office.

When you have a QLE, you'll be able to make changes to your benefits outside of the benefits "open season." Open seasons are certain periods of time during the year when changes can be made to a benefit plan. The chart below shows you how QLEs affect retirement benefits like health, life, and long-term-care insurance and the Thrift Savings Plan.

While it's smart to periodically review your federal benefit plans, it's essential to do so when you have a QLE.

A Sampling of Qualifying Life Events that Affect Your Benefits

QLE	Retirement Benefits	Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB)	Federal Employees Life Insurance (FEGLI)	Long Term Care Insurance (LTC)	Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
To determine the name of the required forms, refer to sidebar “Form Number Translator”
Hired by CBP	If new to the government, complete SF-3102 (FERS) beneficiary form. If rehired, complete the SF-3102 or SF-2808 (CSRS).	To enroll, complete SF-2809 within 60 days.	Basic coverage becomes effective immediately, unless waived. Enroll for Option B and C coverage with a SF-2817 within 31 days. Complete SF-2823.	Apply within 60 days online: www.ltc feds.com.	To contribute, complete TSP-1 within 60 days. Complete TSP-3.
Enter Active Uniformed Service	You may request non-pay status or separation from federal service. If you elect non-pay status, eligibility for death or disability benefits under CSRS or FERS continue.	Check with your personnel office. CBP currently pays premiums for up to 18 months if the active duty falls between September 11, 2001, and September 30, 2003. Copy of military orders required.	Coverage continues at no cost for up to 12 months or 90 days after separation from uniformed service, whichever is sooner.	Coverage continues as long as participant pays premiums.	Your TSP contributions are suspended.
Return from Active Uniformed Service	You may make a deposit amounting to 3% (FERS) or 7% (CSRS) of your military basic pay.	FEHB insurance automatically reinstated unless you elected to separate from federal service. If so, enroll again (SF-2809) within 60 days.	FEGLI reinstated if you separated from uniformed service.	Coverage continues as long as participant pays premiums.	You can make up contributions. Complete TSP-1 if you missed a TSP open season and want to enroll.
Marriage	Complete beneficiary forms SF-3102 or SF-2808, and SF-1152 if appropriate.	To enroll your spouse, complete SF-2809, 31 days before or 60 days after marriage. Proof of marriage required.	Use SF-2817 to elect additional Option B and C coverage within 60 days. Complete SF-2823.	Spouse may apply within 60 days online: www.ltc feds.com.	Complete TSP-3.
New Child: Birth, Adoption	Complete beneficiary forms SF-3102 or SF-2808, and SF-1152 if appropriate.	To enroll your new dependent, complete SF-2809 within 60 days. Proof of birth or adoption is required.	Use SF-2817 to elect additional Option B and C coverage within 60 days. Complete SF-2823.	NA	Complete TSP-3.
Child Turns 22 or Marries	N/A	Child can convert to non-group contract or enroll in Temporary Continuation of Coverage for up to 36 months (use SF-2809). Notify personnel office within 60 days after 22nd birthday.	Child now ineligible for family coverage. If no other family members are eligible, consider changing to self-only coverage (use SF-2817).	All children, except foster children, are eligible to apply, but must be at least 18 years of age. Coverage continues as long as participant continues to pay premiums.	Complete TSP-3 if appropriate.
Retirement	Consider repaying a refund or making a deposit for civilian or military service credit. Complete retirement package – check with your personnel office.	If ineligible to carry FEHB coverage into retirement you can convert to non-group contract or enroll in Temporary Continuation of Coverage for up to 18 months.	If ineligible to carry FEGLI coverage into retirement, can convert to non-group contract (SF-2819). If eligible, elect level of coverage (SF-2818).	Coverage continues as long as participant pays premiums.	Consider withdrawal options at www. employee express .gov, or www.tsp .gov.

There are more QLEs. To learn about others such as divorce, death, and injury on the job, visit the OPM Web site at www.opm.gov/wrkfam/LEindex.asp.

Form Number Translator (Forms can be printed at www.opm.gov/forms/) Form # Form Name FE-6-DEP Statement of Claim, Option C, Family Life Insurance SF-1152 Designation of Beneficiary: Unpaid Compensation of Deceased Civilian Employee SF-2808 CSRS Designation of Beneficiary (for lump-sum CSRS benefit) SF-2809 FEHB Registration Form SF-2810 Notice of Change in Health Benefits Enrollment SF-2817 Life Insurance Election SF-2818 Continuation of Life Insurance Coverage As an Annuitant or Compensationer SF-2819 Notice of Conversion Privilege Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance Program SF-2822 Request for Insurance, FEGLI SF-2823 Designation of Beneficiary, FEGLI SF-3102 FERS Designation of Beneficiary (for lump-sum FERS benefit) TSP-1 Thrift Savings Plan Election Form TSP-3 TSP Designation of Beneficiary To find out whether you'll need to provide your personnel office with additional documentation about a QLE in your life, check with your personnel office. If you move Change address through Employee Express [800.827.6290 or www.employeeexpress.gov] Complete new SF-2809 to change health plans if you move outside your health insurance carrier’s geographic servicing area Change income tax withholding if necessary