---
kind: "section"
citation: "5 U.S.C. § 8714b"
title: "5"
title_heading: "Government Organization and Employees"
number: "8714b"
heading: "Additional optional life insurance"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/5/8714b"
units:
  - "Part III — Employees"
  - "Subpart G — Insurance and Annuities"
  - "Chapter 87 — Life Insurance"
---

# §8714b. Additional optional life insurance

- (a) Under the conditions, directives, and terms specified in sections [8709](/usc/5/8709.md) through [8712](/usc/5/8712.md) of this title, the [Office](/usc/5/5402.md?p=3) of Personnel Management, without regard to [section 6101(b)](/usc/5/6101.md?p=b) to (d) of [title 41](/usc/41.md), may purchase a policy which shall make available to each [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) insured under [section 8702 of this title](/usc/5/8702.md) amounts of additional optional life insurance (without accidental death and dismemberment insurance). An [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) may elect coverage under this section without regard to whether the [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) has elected coverage under optional insurance available under [section 8714a of this title](/usc/5/8714a.md).
- (b)
  - (1) An [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) who is deployed in support of a contingency operation (as that term is defined in [section 101(a)(13) of title 10](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-13)) or an [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) of the [Department](/usc/5/10101.md?p=4) of Defense who is designated as emergency essential under [section 1580 of title 10](/usc/10/1580.md) shall be insured under the policy of insurance under this section if the [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2), within 60 days after the date of notification of deployment or designation, elects to be insured under the policy of insurance. An election under this paragraph shall be effective when provided to the [Office](/usc/5/5402.md?p=3) in writing, in the form prescribed by the [Office](/usc/5/5402.md?p=3), within such 60-day period.
  - (2) The additional optional insurance provided under this section shall be made available to each [eligible](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-3) [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) who has elected coverage under this section, under conditions the [Office](/usc/5/5402.md?p=3) shall prescribe, in multiples, at the [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2)’s election, of 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 times the annual rate of [basic pay](/usc/5/8401.md?p=4) payable to the [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) (rounded to the next higher multiple of $1,000). An [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) may reduce or stop coverage elected pursuant to this section at any time.
- (c)
  - (1) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the additional optional insurance elected by an [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) pursuant to this section shall stop on separation from [service](/usc/5/8401.md?p=26) or 12 months after discontinuance of his [pay](/usc/5/7511.md?p=a-4), whichever is earlier, subject to a provision for temporary extension of life insurance coverage and for conversion to an individual policy of life insurance under conditions approved by the [Office](/usc/5/5402.md?p=3). Justices and judges of the [United States](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-18) described in [section 8701(a)(5)(ii)](/usc/5/8701.md) and (iii) of this chapter are deemed to continue in active employment for purposes of this chapter. A justice or judge of the [United States](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-18) as defined by [section 8701(a)(5) of this title](/usc/5/8701.md?p=a-5) who resigns his [office](/usc/5/5402.md?p=3) without meeting the requirements of [section 371(a) of title 28](/usc/28/371.md?p=a), United States Code, for continuation of the judicial salary shall have the right to convert additional optional life insurance coverage issued under this section during his judicial [service](/usc/5/8401.md?p=26) to an individual policy of life insurance under the same conditions approved by the [Office](/usc/5/5402.md?p=3) governing conversion of basic life insurance coverage for [employees](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) [eligible](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-3) as provided in [section 8706(a) of this title](/usc/5/8706.md?p=a).
  - (2) In the case of any [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) who retires on an immediate annuity or who becomes entitled to receive compensation under subchapter I of [chapter 81](/usc/5/chptIII/sptG/ch81.md) of this title because of disease or injury to the [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2), so much of the additional optional insurance as has been in force for not less than—
    - (A) the 5 years of [service](/usc/5/8401.md?p=26) immediately preceding the date of retirement or entitlement to compensation, or
    - (B) the full period or periods of [service](/usc/5/8401.md?p=26) during which the insurance was available to the [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2), if fewer than 5 years,

    may be continued under conditions determined by the [Office](/usc/5/5402.md?p=3) after retirement or while the [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) is receiving compensation under subchapter I of [chapter 81](/usc/5/chptIII/sptG/ch81.md) of this title and is held by the [Secretary](/usc/5/9901.md?p=2) of Labor (or the [Secretary](/usc/5/9901.md?p=2)’s delegate) to be unable to return to duty.

  - (3) The amount of additional optional insurance continued under [paragraph (2)](#c-2) shall be continued, with or without reduction, in accordance with the [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2)’s written election at the time eligibility to continue insurance during retirement or receipt of compensation arises, as follows:
    - (A) The [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) may elect to have withholdings cease in accordance with [subsection (d)](#d), in which case—
      - (i) the amount of additional optional insurance continued under [paragraph (2)](#c-2) shall be reduced each month by 2 percent effective at the beginning of the second calendar month after the date the [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) becomes 65 years of age and is retired or is in receipt of compensation; and
      - (ii) the reduction under [clause (i)](#c-3-A-i) shall continue for 50 months at which time the insurance shall stop.
    - (B) The [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) may, instead of the option under [subparagraph (A)](#c-3-A), elect to have the full cost of additional optional insurance continue to be withheld from such [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2)’s annuity or compensation on and after the date such withholdings would otherwise cease pursuant to an election under [subparagraph (A)](#c-3-A), in which case the amount of additional optional insurance continued under [paragraph (2)](#c-2) shall not be reduced, subject to [paragraph (4)](#c-4).
    - (C) An [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) who does not make any election under the preceding provisions of this paragraph shall be treated as if such [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) had made an election under [subparagraph (A)](#c-3-A).
  - (4) If an [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) makes an election under [paragraph (3)(B)](#c-3-B), that individual may subsequently cancel such election, in which case additional optional insurance shall be determined as if the individual had originally made an election under [paragraph (3)(A)](#c-3-A).
  - (5)
    - (A) An [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) whose additional optional insurance under this section would otherwise stop in accordance with [paragraph (1)](#c-1) and who is not [eligible](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-3) to continue insurance under [paragraph (2)](#c-2) may elect, under conditions prescribed by the [Office](/usc/5/5402.md?p=3) of Personnel Management, to continue all or a portion of so much of the additional optional insurance as has been in force for not less than—
      - (i) the 5 years of [service](/usc/5/8401.md?p=26) immediately preceding the date of the event which would cause insurance to stop under [paragraph (1)](#c-1); or
      - (ii) the full period or periods of [service](/usc/5/8401.md?p=26) during which the insurance was available to the [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2), if fewer than 5 years,

      at group rates established for purposes of this section, in lieu of conversion to an individual policy. The amount of insurance continued under this paragraph shall be reduced by 50 percent effective at the beginning of the second calendar month after the date the [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) or former [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) attains age 70 and shall stop at the beginning of the second calendar month after attainment of age 80, subject to a provision for temporary extension of life insurance coverage and for conversion to an individual policy of life insurance under conditions approved by the [Office](/usc/5/5402.md?p=3). Alternatively, insurance continued under this paragraph may be reduced or stopped at any time the [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) or former [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) elects.

    - (B) When an [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) or former [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) elects to continue additional optional insurance under this paragraph following separation from [service](/usc/5/8401.md?p=26) or 12 months without [pay](/usc/5/7511.md?p=a-4), the insured individual shall submit timely payment of the full cost thereof, plus any amount the [Office](/usc/5/5402.md?p=3) determines necessary to cover associated administrative expenses, in such manner as the [Office](/usc/5/5402.md?p=3) shall prescribe by regulation. Amounts required under this subparagraph shall be deposited, used, and invested as provided under [section 8714](/usc/5/8714.md) and shall be reported and accounted for together with amounts withheld under [section 8714a(d)](/usc/5/8714a.md?p=d).
    - (C)
      - (i) Subject to [clause (ii)](#c-5-C-ii), no election to continue additional optional insurance may be made under this paragraph 3 years after the effective date of this paragraph.
      - (ii) On and after the date on which an election may not be made under [clause (i)](#c-5-C-i), all additional optional insurance under this paragraph for former [employees](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) shall terminate, subject to a provision for temporary extension of life insurance coverage and for conversion to an individual policy of life insurance under conditions approved by the [Office](/usc/5/5402.md?p=3).
- (d)
  - (1) During each period in which the additional optional insurance is in force on an [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) the full cost thereof shall be withheld from the [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2)’s [pay](/usc/5/7511.md?p=a-4). During each period in which an [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) continues additional optional insurance after retirement or while in receipt of compensation under subchapter I of [chapter 81](/usc/5/chptIII/sptG/ch81.md) of this title because of disease or injury to the [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2), as provided in [subsection (c)](#c) of this section, the full cost thereof shall be withheld from the former [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2)’s annuity or compensation, except that, if insurance is continued as provided under [subsection (c)(3)(A)](#c-3-A), beginning at the end of the calendar month in which the former [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) becomes 65 years of age, the additional optional life insurance shall be without cost to the former [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2). Amounts so withheld (and any amounts withheld as provided in [subsection (c)(3)(B)](#c-3-B)) shall be deposited, used, and invested as provided in [section 8714 of this title](/usc/5/8714.md) and shall be reported and accounted for together with amounts withheld under [section 8714a(d) of this title](/usc/5/8714a.md?p=d).
  - (2) If an [agency](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-1) fails to withhold the proper cost of additional optional insurance from an individual’s salary, compensation, or retirement annuity, the collection of amounts properly due may be waived by the [agency](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-1) if, in the judgment of the [agency](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-1), the individual is without fault and recovery would be against equity and good conscience. However, if the [agency](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-1) so waives the collection of any unpaid amount, the [agency](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-1) shall submit an amount equal to the uncollected amount to the [Office](/usc/5/5402.md?p=3) for deposit to the [Employees](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2)’ Life Insurance [Fund](/usc/5/8401.md?p=6).
  - (3) Notwithstanding [paragraph (1)](#d-1), an [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) who is subject to withholdings under this subsection and whose [pay](/usc/5/7511.md?p=a-4), annuity, or compensation is insufficient to cover such withholdings may nevertheless continue additional optional insurance if the [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) arranges to [pay](/usc/5/7511.md?p=a-4) currently into the [Employees](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2)’ Life Insurance [Fund](/usc/5/8401.md?p=6), through the [agency](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-1) or retirement [system](/usc/5/8401.md?p=29) which administers [pay](/usc/5/7511.md?p=a-4), annuity, or compensation, an amount equal to the withholdings that would otherwise be required under this subsection.
- (e) The cost of the additional optional insurance shall be determined from time to time by the [Office](/usc/5/5402.md?p=3) on the basis of the [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2)’s age relative to such age groups as the [Office](/usc/5/5402.md?p=3) establishes under [section 8714a(e) of this title](/usc/5/8714a.md?p=e).
- (f) The amount of additional optional life insurance in force on an [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) at the date of his death shall be paid as provided in [section 8705 of this title](/usc/5/8705.md).

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 96–427, § 7(a), Oct. 10, 1980, 94 Stat. 1834; amended Pub. L. 98–353, title II, §§ 206, 207, July 10, 1984, 98 Stat. 351, as amended by Pub. L. 99–336, § 7(1), June 19, 1986, 100 Stat. 639; Pub. L. 99–335, title II, § 207(k)(4), June 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 597; Pub. L. 99–336, § 7(1), June 19, 1986, 100 Stat. 639; Pub. L. 105–311, §§ 3(2), 6(3), 7(a), (c), Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 2950–2953; Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title XI, § 1103(c), Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4617; Pub. L. 111–350, § 5(a)(13), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3841.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2011—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 111–350 substituted “section 6101(b) to (d) of title 41” for “section 5 of title 41”.

2008—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 110–417 designated existing provisions as par. (2) and added par. (1).

1998—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 105–311, § 3(2), in first sentence, struck out “except that coverage may not exceed an amount equal to 5 times the annual rate of basic pay payable for positions at level II of the Executive Schedule under section 5313 of this title (rounded to the next higher multiple of $1,000)” after “$1,000)”.

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 105–311, § 7(a)(1)(A), struck out at end “The amount of insurance continued under this paragraph shall be reduced each month by 2 percent effective at the beginning of the second calendar month after the date the employee becomes 65 years of age and is retired or is in receipt of compensation. The reduction shall continue for 50 months at which time the insurance stops.”

Subsec. (c)(3) to (5). Pub. L. 105–311, § 7(a)(1)(B), added pars. (3) to (5).

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 105–311, § 7(a)(2), (c), inserted “if insurance is continued as provided under subsection (c)(3)(A),” after “except that,” and “(and any amounts withheld as provided in subsection (c)(3)(B))” after “Amounts so withheld”.

Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 105–311, § 6(3), added par. (3).

1986—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 98–353, § 206, as amended generally by Pub. L. 99–336, § 7(1), inserted sentence which deemed justices and judges described in section 8701(a)(5)(ii) and (iii) of this chapter to continue in active employment for purposes of this chapter.

Pub. L. 99–335 substituted “Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the additional optional insurance elected by an employee pursuant to this section shall stop on separation from service or 12 months after discontinuance of his pay, whichever is earlier, subject to a provision for temporary extension of life insurance coverage and for conversion to an individual policy of life insurance under conditions approved by the Office” for “The additional optional insurance elected by an employee pursuant to this section shall stop on separation from service, 12 months after discontinuance of pay, or on entry on active military duty or active duty for training, subject to provision for a 31-day temporary extension of insurance coverage and for conversion to an individual policy, as provided in sections 8706(a) and 8706(c) of this title”.

1984—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 98–353 inserted “A justice or judge of the United States as defined by section 8701(a)(5) of this title who resigns his office without meeting the requirements of section 371(a) of title 28, United States Code, for continuation of the judicial salary shall have the right to convert additional optional life insurance coverage issued under this section during his judicial service to an individual policy of life insurance under the same conditions approved by the Office governing conversion of basic life insurance coverage for employees eligible as provided in section 8706(a) of this title.”

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1998 Amendment

Amendment by sections 3(2) and 6(3) of Pub. L. 105–311 effective on the first day of the first applicable pay period beginning on or after Oct. 30, 1998, and amendment by section 7(a), (c) of Pub. L. 105–311 effective on the first day of the first pay period that begins on or after the 180th day following Oct. 30, 1998, or on any earlier date that the Office of Personnel Management may prescribe that is at least 60 days after Oct. 30, 1998, see section 11(b), (d), (e)(1) of Pub. L. 105–311, set out as a note under section 8701 of this title.

### Effective Date of 1986 Amendments

Amendment by Pub. L. 98–353, § 206, as amended generally by Pub. L. 99–336, § 7(1), applicable to any justice or judge who retires under 28 U.S.C. 371(a) or (b) or 372(a) on or after January 1, 1982, see section 207 of Pub. L. 98–353, as amended generally by Pub. L. 99–336, § 7(2), set out as a note under section 8706 of this title.

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–335 effective Jan. 1, 1987, see section 702(a) of Pub. L. 99–335, set out as an Effective Date note under section 8401 of this title.

### Effective Date

Section effective on first day of first pay period which begins on or after 180th day following Oct. 10, 1980, or on any earlier date that Office may prescribe which is at least 60 days after Oct. 10, 1980, and shall have no effect in case of an employee who died, was finally separated, or retired before effective date, see section 10(d) of Pub. L. 96–427 set out as an Effective Date of 1980 Amendment note under section 8701 of this title.

### Report to Congress

Pub. L. 105–311, § 7(b), Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 2953, required the Office of Personnel Management to submit, not later than 3 years after Oct. 30, 1998, a report to Congress on additional optional insurance provided under subsec. (c)(5) of this section.