Last verified 2026-09-06; facts checked against the primary sources below
OPM survivor benefits: report a death and apply
First identify whether the person was a retiree, current federal employee, or former employee. That determines the starting contact. Reporting a death and applying for retirement death benefits are separate tasks; keep a record of both.
Who should receive the death report?
| Status at death | Starting point |
|---|---|
| Federal retiree | OPM's online Report Annuitant Death form or 888-767-6738 |
| Current federal employee | The employing agency |
| Former federal employee | OPM at 888-767-6738 |
Use the links and current contact instructions on OPM's survivor-benefits page. For a retiree, gather identifying details, the CSA claim number if available, and survivors' contact information.
Which form applies: SF 3104 or SF 2800?
Both forms instruct applicants to send current-employee cases to the last employing agency's personnel office. For former employees or annuitants, follow the form's OPM mailing instructions and any case-specific packet you receive. Do not select a form merely because it appears first in a search result; confirm the retirement system.
The forms request information about the applicant, family, and other potential claimants. Review every applicable section and signature area before submitting. Keep a complete copy of the version you send, including attachments.
What documents should accompany the claim?
OPM lists proof of death showing date and cause or manner; it does not accept a pending death certificate for the application. Relationship records depend on the claimant: marriage and prior-marriage termination records, children's birth records, or court appointment papers with a raised seal for an estate official. Consult the complete OPM document list for your situation.
A retirement claim and a federal life-insurance claim may be separate. OPM's packet may include FE-6 for OFEGLI when applicable. Track each claim independently.
What if a document is missing?
Treat this as a specific follow-up task. Ask the agency or OPM which document or detail is missing, what an acceptable replacement must show, and where to send it. Record whether the request concerns the death report, retirement application, or insurance claim.
Do not repeatedly send an unchanged packet. Use a log with these columns:
| Requested item | Responsible person | Sent date | Receipt confirmed | Next action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record the agency's exact request | Person obtaining it | Date delivered | Confirmation or pending | Next follow-up date |
What should you keep together?
Keep the reporting confirmation, claim correspondence, application copy, delivery evidence, and benefit decision in one folder. Our free estate-document checklist helps organize these records without entering personal information online.
If the person also had a California pension, use the separate CalPERS or CalSTRS guide. Court-appointed representatives can review Letters Testamentary in California when preparing authority documents.
OPM determines eligibility and benefits. This guide is an administrative checklist, not a calculation of survivor income or a recommendation about benefit elections.