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Marines

Federal Benefits
The Federal Government provides employees, dependents and annuitants with various benefits which may include health care insurance (FEHB), dental and vision insurance (FEDVIP), long term care insurance (FLTCIP), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAFeds), a Thrift Savings Program (TSP), and Life Insurance (FEGLI). 

Civilian Navy and Marine employees who have questions about health insurance, life insurance or Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) can call the Department of the Navy (DON) Benefits Line at 1-888-320-2917 and select option 4 to talk to a Customer Service Representative (CSR). CSR’s are available from 7:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. (Eastern Time). Monday through Friday, except on federal holidays.

The GRB Platform (formerly known as Employee Benefits Information System (EBIS)) allows civilian Navy and Marine employees to access general and personal benefits information and conduct electronic transactions via the web.

What is Premium Conversion?

Many of the benefits offered by the federal government (FEHB, FSAs, FEDVIP) will be subject to automatic enrollment in premium conversion unless you waive this coverage (you may ONLY waive coverage for FEHB). Premium conversion is a federal tax benefit where premiums are withheld from your bi-weekly paycheck on a pre-tax basis (i.e. they are not subject to Federal tax, Medicare, or Social Security taxes).

Consider waiving premium conversion if you want to be eligible to drop FEHB coverage or change enrollment (i.e. from Self and Family to Self Only) at any time. Usually this type of change can only be made after a Qualifying Life Event (QLE) or Federal Benefits Open Season. Additionally, you may be eligible to receive higher Social Security benefits if premium coverage is waived.

What is a Qualifying Life Event?

A Qualifying Life Event (QLE) is a term defined by OPM to describe events deemed acceptable by the IRS that may allow participants in cafeteria plans (including premium conversion) to change their participation election for premium conversion outside of an open season.

A complete list of Qualifying Life Events may be found in the SF 2809: Health Benefits Election Form. Examples of QLEs include:

  • Death of a spouse
  • Marriage
  • Birth
  • Adoption
  • Change in employment status
  • Last dependent child loses coverage because of age limit
  • Restoration to civilian employment after serving in uniformed service

What is Open Season?

Open Season allows employees to make permissible enrollment changes or add coverage each year. You may also change providers. Each year OPM provides an Open Season from the Monday of the second full workweek in November through the Monday of the second full workweek in December.

The Director of OPM may modify the dates of Open Season or announce additional open seasons.

Your Open Season election generally will take effect the following January.

What is a Personal Statement of Benefits?

Personal Statements of Benefits is a document that lists:

  • Value of your life insurance
  • Cost of your Health Insurance
  • Optional Retirement Benefits
  • Disability Retirement Benefits
  • Survivor Benefits
  • Value of your annual leave (if you leave the federal service)

    

OPM Federal Benefits Guides  
Requesting your Personal Statement of Benefits  
SF-2809: Health Benefits Election Form (w/list of QLEs)  
How to Access GRB  
GRB Login  
OPM: Premium Conversion  

Phone: 1-888-320-2917 (Option 4 for customer service representative)

TTY Phone: 1-866-328-9889

Hours: Monday thru Friday 0730-1930 (Eastern Time)

(See REFERENCES below for login information)