CSRS/FERS Annuity for Surviving Same-Sex Spouses

Sandy Hashimoto from the Human Resources Office asked Retiree News to post the following information.  She received this information from the Employee Benefits & Entitlements Branch at the National Guard Bureau.

As a result of the Supreme Court’s ruling, Surviving Same-Sex Spouses are now able to exercise their rights and interests as “widows” and widowers” under CSRS and FERS.

To ensure that surviving same-sex spouses are able to exercise their rights and interests as “widow” and “widowers” under CSRS and FERS, please give this information the widest dissemination possible.  OPM is encouraging all same-sex spouses of deceased annuitants who died prior to June 26, 2013 to apply for benefits even if the annuitants did not attempt to elect survivor annuity benefits for their spouses prior to death, and/or even if OPM has previously denied applications for benefits from surviving spouses as a result of DOMA.

The two attachments below are from the Federal Register for CSRS/FERS Annuity for Surviving Same Sex Spouses.

DCPAS – CSRS FERS Annuity for Surviving Same-Sex Spouses

Please contact the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) at 1-888-767-6738 or by email at retire@opm.gov if you have any questions.