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SNAP CERTIFICATION MANUAL – APPENDIX G

Government Employees Insurance System A Guide to Sources of Unearned Income 3 Government Employees Insurance System The Federal Government, State Government and many local entities have retirement systems that cover some or all of their employees. Most of the systems make payments to qualified employees who are disabled or who retire because of age. Some also provide annuities for survivors. Most civilians who work for the Federal Government are covered by the Civil Service Retirement Act, the Federal Employees Health Benefits Act, and the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Act. Federal employment not covered under other retirement systems is generally covered under the Social Security Act. The Civil Service Retirement Act Provides annuities to qualified employees who retire because of age and years of service, involuntary separation not for cause, or disability. Annuities are also payable to the widows and minor children of employees who die and, in certain cases, to the survivors of annuitants. Deferred annuities are payable at age 62 to persons who have been in government service but left it before retirement age if they have not withdrawn their contributions. A minimum of five years civilian service is required for entitlement to annuity benefits on the basis of age or disability retirement. A minimum of 18 months is required for survivor annuities. The Compensation Group, Office of Personnel Management, Washington, DC 20415 administers this Act. The Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance Act This Act provides insurance benefits for survivors of deceased Federal employees who have not waived coverage under this Act. Generally, life insurance coverage stops 31 days after separation from Federal service, but insured employees may retain coverage if they retire on an immediate annuity either for disability or after at least 12 years of creditable service. Claims are handled by the office of Federal Employee’s Group Life Insurance, 4 E. 24th Street, New York, New York 10010. Conditions for receiving benefits and the amounts of the benefit vary considerably. Usually an employee must have had a considerable period of service to receive a substantial annuity. A person leaves a job after considerable service, but before retirement age may have the option of having his contributions returned or leaving them in the plan so that they may count toward an annuity at retirement age.