Q. I read a recent post where a person asked if a spouse could agree to a $1-a-year survivor benefit. I wasn’t aware that a spouse of a FERS employee could agree to a survivor annuity of less than half. What are the amounts or percentages that a spouse of a FERS employee may agree to, and still be entitled to be insured under the Federal Employees Health Benefits options?
In our situation, if the spouse survives the retired federal employee, he would need the annuity only for the insurance. So, what is smallest amount he is required to take as annuity to keep the health insurance?
A. That option is only available to CSRS retirees. As you noted, FERS retirees only have two choices: 50 percent or 25 percent.
