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

# §8714c. Optional life insurance on family members

- (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 optional life insurance (without accidental death and dismemberment insurance) on the [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2)’s family [members](/usc/5/8401.md?p=20).
- (b)
  - (1) The optional life insurance on family [members](/usc/5/8401.md?p=20) 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—
    - (A) $5,000 for a spouse; and
    - (B) $2,500 for each child described under [section 8701(d)](/usc/5/8701.md?p=d).
  - (2) 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 optional life insurance on family [members](/usc/5/8401.md?p=20) shall stop at the earlier of the [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2)’s death, the [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2)’s separation from the [service](/usc/5/8401.md?p=26), or 12 months after discontinuance of [pay](/usc/5/7511.md?p=a-4), subject to a provision for temporary extension of life insurance coverage and for conversion to individual policies of life insurance under conditions approved by the [Office](/usc/5/5402.md?p=3).
  - (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) and who has had in force insurance under this section for no 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,

    optional life insurance on family [members](/usc/5/8401.md?p=20) may be continued under the same conditions as provided in [section 8714b(c)(2)](/usc/5/8714b.md?p=c-2) through (4).

- (d)
  - (1) During each period in which the optional life insurance on family [members](/usc/5/8401.md?p=20) is in force 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 optional life insurance on family [members](/usc/5/8401.md?p=20) 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 shall be withheld from the annuity or compensation, except that, 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 optional life insurance on family [members](/usc/5/8401.md?p=20) shall be without cost to the [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2). Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the full cost shall be continued after the calendar month in which the former [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) becomes 65 years of age if, and for so long as, an election under this section corresponding to that described in [section 8714b(c)(3)(B)](/usc/5/8714b.md?p=c-3-B) remains in effect with respect to such former [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2). Amounts so withheld 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 optional life insurance on family [members](/usc/5/8401.md?p=20) 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 optional life insurance on family [members](/usc/5/8401.md?p=20) 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) that 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 optional life insurance on family [members](/usc/5/8401.md?p=20) 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 optional life insurance which is in force under this section on a family [member](/usc/5/8401.md?p=20) of an [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) or former [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) on the date of the death of the family [member](/usc/5/8401.md?p=20) shall be paid, on the establishment of a valid claim by the [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2), to such [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) or, in the event of the death of the [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) before payment can be made, to the [person](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-1) or [persons](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-1) entitled to the group life insurance in force on the [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) under [section 8705 of this title](/usc/5/8705.md).

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 96–427, § 8(a), Oct. 10, 1980, 94 Stat. 1836; amended Pub. L. 98–353, title II, § 206, as amended by Pub. L. 99–336, § 7(1), June 19, 1986, 100 Stat. 639; Pub. L. 99–335, title II, § 207(k)(5), June 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 598; Pub. L. 99–336, § 7(1), June 19, 1986, 100 Stat. 639; Pub. L. 105–311, §§ 6(4), 8, Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 2951, 2953; Pub. L. 111–350, § 5(a)(14), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3842.)

## 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”.

1998—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 105–311, § 8(a), amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) read as follows: “The optional life insurance on family members provided under this section shall be made available to each eligible employee who elects coverage under this section, under conditions the Office shall prescribe, in the amount of $5,000 for a spouse and $2,500 for each child described in section 8701(d). The employee may stop coverage elected under this section at any time.”

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 105–311, § 8(b)(1), substituted “section 8714b(c)(2) through (4)” for “section 8714b(c)(2) of this title”.

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 105–311, § 8(b)(2), inserted before last sentence “Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the full cost shall be continued after the calendar month in which the former employee becomes 65 years of age if, and for so long as, an election under this section corresponding to that described in section 8714b(c)(3)(B) remains in effect with respect to such former employee.”

Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 105–311, § 6(4), added par. (3).

1986—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 99–336 amended Pub. L. 98–353, § 206, generally. See 1984 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 99–335 amended par. (1) generally, effective Jan. 1, 1977. Prior to such effective date, par. (1) read as follows: “Optional life insurance on family members shall stop at the earlier of the employee’s death, the employee’s separation from the service, 12 months after discontinuance of pay, or the employee’s entry on active duty or active duty for training, as provided in sections 8706(a) and 8706(c) of this title, subject to provision for a 31-day temporary extension of insurance coverage and for conversion to individual policies under conditions approved by the Office. Justices and judges of the United States described in section 8701(a)(5)(ii) and (iii) of this chapter are deemed to continue in active employment for purposes of this chapter.”

1984—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 98–353, § 206, as amended generally by Pub. L. 99–336, 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.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1998 Amendment

Amendment by section 6(4) 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 8 of Pub. L. 105–311 effective on the first day of the first pay period which begins on or after the 180th day following Oct. 30, 1998, or on any earlier date that the Office of Personnel Management may prescribe, see section 11(d), (f) of Pub. L. 105–311, set out as a note under section 8701 of this title.

### Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

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 of 1984 Amendment

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.

### 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.