Request for Optional Life Insurance Coverage Benefits]

The widow of a former employee of the Department of Labor sought reversal of the decision by the agency that her husband did not have optional life insurance coverage under the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Program at the time of his death. Optional life insurance premiums were deducted from the employee's pay during his employment and a certificate was issued to him indicating that he had both regular and optional coverage. However, the agency determined after his death that he had not been eligible for the optional insurance because he failed to request cancellation of a declination of such insurance made during prior Federal employment and to furnish satisfactory medical evidence of insurability. GAO has been given no jurisdiction over claims under the Federal insurance program. However, GAO did confer with the Office of Personnel Management concerning the instant case and was advised that the widow could request reconsideration of the initial decision.