Denied FEGLI (Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance) Claims
If your Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) claim was denied, you are not alone. FEGLI claims often involve confusing rules about eligibility, coverage elections, and beneficiary designations. At Lassen Law Firm, we focus exclusively on helping beneficiaries overturn denied life insurance claims nationwide, including complex FEGLI disputes. Christian Lassen, Esq., a life insurance attorney with 25 years of experience, personally handles each case to protect your rights and maximize recovery.
If a FEGLI claim is denied, the beneficiary has the right to appeal the decision and, if necessary, file suit in federal court. FEGLI denials must be based on clear and documented reasons under federal regulations.
What Is FEGLI (Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance)?
FEGLI is the largest group life insurance program in the world, providing basic and optional coverage to millions of federal employees and retirees. Managed by the Office of Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (OFEGLI) and regulated by the federal government, FEGLI benefits are intended to provide financial security to designated beneficiaries upon the insured’s death.
Unlike private life insurance, FEGLI is governed by strict federal laws and regulations, not state insurance laws.
Why FEGLI Claims Get Denied
FEGLI claims are often denied because of administrative errors, missing or outdated beneficiary designations, disputes about optional coverage elections, unpaid premium issues, or strict federal regulations about eligibility.
Sometimes, claims are wrongfully denied based on paperwork mistakes or misinterpretations of FEGLI rules.
Legal help is often needed to challenge FEGLI denials effectively.
How We Help With Denied FEGLI Claims
At Lassen Law Firm, we understand the unique rules governing FEGLI claims. We obtain the entire claims file from OFEGLI, identify procedural errors, and aggressively appeal or litigate denied claims. Our firm has successfully handled numerous FEGLI denials caused by paperwork errors, eligibility disputes, and misapplied beneficiary rules.
For example, we recently recovered $200,000 for a surviving spouse after FEGLI wrongly denied a claim based on an outdated beneficiary form. By uncovering errors in OFEGLI’s processing, we secured full payment.
Common Reasons for FEGLI Denials
- Outdated or missing beneficiary designation
- Failure to elect optional coverage properly
- Death occurring after coverage ended due to retirement
- Failure to convert coverage after separation from service
- Premium non-payment disputes
- Misinterpretation of election forms (SF-2817 issues)
- Employer reporting errors at time of death
- Spouse or family coverage misunderstandings
- Death ruled outside covered employment period
- Contestability issues based on enrollment documentation
What to Do After a Denied FEGLI Claim
If your FEGLI claim has been denied:
- Request the full denial letter and claims file from OFEGLI.
- Review the denial reasons and associated documents carefully.
- Do not submit a self-prepared appeal without legal advice.
- Contact an attorney experienced in federal life insurance claim disputes.
- Act promptly — strict federal deadlines govern appeals and lawsuits.
Federal deadlines are unforgiving. Immediate legal action protects your right to recover benefits.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
Written & Reviewed by Christian Lassen, Esq., Nationally recognized life insurance lawyer: 25 years experience, hundreds of millions recovered. Quoted in The Wall Street Journal ( May 17, 2025).
Last reviewed: June 8, 2025 | Contact 800-330-2274
Frequently Asked Questions About Denied FEGLI Claims
-
FEGLI (Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance) is group life insurance coverage offered to U.S. federal employees and retirees, managed through OFEGLI.
-
FEGLI claims are administered by OFEGLI, the Office of Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance, not by the employing federal agency.
-
Yes. You have the right to appeal a denial by requesting reconsideration, administrative review, and, if needed, filing a lawsuit in federal court.
-
Common reasons include outdated beneficiary designations, coverage lapses after separation, and election form disputes.
-
Deadlines vary, but appeals must usually be filed within 30 to 60 days of denial notice.
-
If no valid designation exists, FEGLI proceeds are paid according to statutory order: spouse, then children, then parents, etc.
-
Yes. Retirees must elect to continue FEGLI coverage or risk losing benefits if proper forms are not completed.
-
For basic FEGLI, no premiums are needed after age 65. For optional coverage, premiums may continue unless waived or converted.
-
No. Divorce does not automatically revoke a FEGLI beneficiary designation — it must be changed formally to be effective.
-
Yes. Coverage can lapse if premiums are not paid properly, especially after employment changes or retirement.
-
Yes, but only if optional accidental death coverage (Option A) was elected by the employee.
-
Yes. Beneficiaries can file suit in federal court if appeals fail.
-
No. FEGLI is governed by federal law under Title 5 of the U.S. Code, not by ERISA.
-
Errors by OFEGLI administrators can be challenged during appeals or in court.
-
Generally, no. Life insurance proceeds under FEGLI are not taxable to beneficiaries under current federal law.
-
Yes. If multiple parties claim benefits, OFEGLI may delay payment until legal resolution or court orders.
-
If the paperwork does not show valid election, optional coverage claims may be denied, but administrative errors can sometimes be corrected.
-
Yes. Attorneys can pressure OFEGLI to act, correct administrative errors, and litigate if necessary to enforce beneficiary rights.
-
You need the original policy documents, SF-2823 (beneficiary designation), denial letter, claims file, and proof of relationship to the insured.
Our Clients Speak Volumes
The Right Choice for Your Claim
-
“The insurer said the activity my father was doing at the time of his death wasn’t covered. Lassen reviewed the policy and showed there was no such exclusion. They got it paid out without a lawsuit.”- Deborah L.
Why The Lassen Law Firm Is Different
-
Proven National ResultsRepresenting clients coast to coast and recovering hundreds of millions in denied life insurance claims, we secure justice and peace of mind for families everywhere.
-
Recognized ExpertisePerfect 10.0 Avvo rating endorsed by over 1,700 attorneys; life member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum; ranked among the top 1 percent of lawyers nationally for life insurance litigation.
-
Client-First AdvocacyNo upfront fees: our contingency fee guarantee aligns our interests with yours; we provide personalized, compassionate representation from your initial consultation through resolution.
-
Media & Community LeadershipQuoted in The Wall Street Journal and featured in leading legal publications; frequent speaker at national conferences; dedicated to charitable efforts supporting pediatric cancer care.