SF 3102 CSRS and FERS Designation of Beneficiary

OMB Approval 3206-0173

Designation of Beneficiary

Civil Service and Federal Employees Retirement Systems
Important: Read all instructions before filing this form.

A. Identification
Name (last, first, middle)

Place an "X" in the
appropriate box: 

Date of birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

Retired or an
applicant for retirement

An employee

Department or agency in which presently employed (or former department or agency):
Department or agency
Location (city, state and ZIP code)

Former employee eligible
for retirement in the future

Social security number
If you are retired, give your claim
number

CSA

What is your retirement system

CSRS
Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS)

FERS

Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS)

I, the individual identified above, designate the beneficiary or beneficiaries named
below to receive any lump-sum benefit which may become payable under CSRS after
my death. I understand that this designation of beneficiary will not affect the rights of
any survivors who may qualify for annuity benefits after my death, cancels any
previous designation of beneficiary, and remains in effect until I cancel it in writing by
filing a new designation form.
I direct, unless otherwise indicated below, that if more than one beneficiary is named,
the share of any beneficiary who may predecease me or who may be disqualified for
any other reason, shall be distributed equally among the stated beneficiaries, or entirely
to the survivor. If none of the beneficiaries are alive and eligible to receive payment
when a lump-sum payment becomes payable, this designation is void, and payment
will be made according to the order of precedence set by law.
Properly completed designations for CSRS employees and retirees are not valid unless
the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) receives the form before the death of the
designator. Mail both copies of the SF 3102 to:
U.S. Office of Personnel Management
P.O. Box 45
Boyers, PA 16017

I, the individual identified above, designate the beneficiary or beneficiaries named
below to receive any lump-sum benefit which may become payable under FERS after
my death, including lump-sum death benefits which may become payable based on
amounts contributed to CSRS before I became covered by FERS. I understand that
this designation of beneficiary cancels any previous FERS or CSRS designation of
beneficiary, and that it remains in effect until I cancel it in writing by filing a new
designation form or I receive payment of my FERS retirement contributions.
I direct, unless otherwise indicated below, that if more than one beneficiary is named,
the share of any beneficiary who may predecease me or who may be disqualified for
any other reason, shall be distributed equally among the stated beneficiaries, or entirely
to the survivor. If none of the beneficiaries are alive and eligible to receive payment
when a lump-sum payment becomes payable, this designation is void, and payment
will be made according to the order of precedence set by law.
Properly completed designations for FERS employees are not valid unless the
employing agency receives them before the death of the designator. FERS retirees
must send the designation form to OPM at the address below before the death of the
designator for this form to be valid.

OPM will validate the form and send you a copy for your records. Your employing
agency does not maintain this form.

U.S. Office of Personnel Management
P.O. Box 45,
Boyers, PA 16017

B. Information Concerning Beneficiaries (See Examples on the Reverse of Part 1. Type or print clearly)
First name, middle initial, and last
name of each beneficiary*

Date of designation (mm/dd/yyyy)

Address (including ZIP code) of each
beneficiary**

Relationship to
you*

Your signature

Share to be paid to
each beneficiary

Total = 100%

C. Witness (A witness is not eligible to receive a payment as a beneficiary):
I the undersigned, certify that this statement was signed in my presence.
Signature of witness

Address (including ZIP code)

Receiving Agency Certification: I have reviewed this designation and certify that the designated shares total 100% and that the witness was not designated as a beneficiary.
Date received by agency (mm/dd/yyyy)

*

Signature

Date (mm/dd/yyyy)

We will pay to the person you designate, even if that person's name or relationship to you changes after you file this designation. For example, suppose you designate your spouse and then you
divorce and you marry someone else. We will pay any lump sum to your former spouse unless you submit another designation to cancel prior designations or to designate who we are to pay.

** We will write to the address you provide here to contact the person you designate. However, that person is obligated to contact us after your death to apply for any death benefits that may be payable.

Type or print your return address so that we can return a copy to you.

See back of Employee Copy for instructions on
where to file this form. (Retain until the FERS
employee leaves Federal service and then send to
the Office of Personnel Management.)
For current CSRS employees - - both copies must be
sent to OPM.
U.S. Office of Personnel Management
5 CFR 843.205

Part 1 - Original

This revision combines and supersedes all prior versions SF 2808 and SF 3102

Standard Form 3102
Revised August 2021

Important - The filing of this form will completely cancel any Designation of Beneficiary under CSRS or under FERS you have previously filed. Be sure to
name in this form all persons you wish to designate as beneficiaries of any lump sum payable at your death.

Examples of Designations
1. How to Designate One Beneficiary
First name, middle initial, and last
name of each beneficiary*
Mary E. Brown

Do not write names as M.E. Brown or as Mrs. John H. Brown. If you want to designate your estate as
beneficiary, enter "My estate" in the beneficiary column.
Address (including ZIP code) of each
beneficiary**

Relationship to
you*

214 Central Avenue
Muncie, IN 47303

Niece

Share to be paid to
each beneficiary
100%

2. How to Designate More Than One Beneficiary Be sure that the shares to be paid to the several beneficiaries add up to 100 percent.
First name, middle initial, and last
name of each beneficiary*

Address (including ZIP code) of each
beneficiary**

Relationship to
you*

Share to be paid to
each beneficiary

Alice M. Long

509 Canal Street
Red Bank, NJ 07701

Aunt

25%

Joseph P. Brady

360 Williams Street
Red Bank, NJ 07701

Domestic Partner

25%

Catherine L. Rowe

792 Broadway
Whiting, IN 46394

Mother

50%

3. How to Designate A Contingent Beneficiary
First name, middle initial, and last
name of each beneficiary*

Address (including ZIP code) of each
beneficiary**

Relationship to
you*

Share to be paid to
each beneficiary

John M. Parrish, if living

810 West 180th Street
New York, NY 10033

Father

100%

Otherwise to: Susan A Parrish

810 West 180th Street
New York, NY 10033

Sister

100%

4. How to Designate An Inter Vivos Trust

(A trust that you set up during your lifetime)

First name, middle initial, and last
name of each beneficiary*

Address (including ZIP code) of each
beneficiary**

Relationship to
you*

Trustee(s) or Successor
Trustee(s) as provided in the
John Q. Public Trust Agreement dated
12/18/2016, if valid. Otherwise to:
Mary E. Brown

214 Central Avenue
Muncie, IN 47303

5. How to Designate A Testamentary Trust

(A trust that is set up when you die, according to terms in your will)

First name, middle initial, and last
name of each beneficiary*

Address (including ZIP code) of each
beneficiary**

Trustee(s) or Successor
Trustee(s) as provided in my
Last Will and Testament, if valid.
Otherwise to:
Maria Sufuentes

5909 Pacific Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20019

6. How to Cancel a Designation of Beneficiary and Effect Payment Under Order of Precedence
First name, middle initial, and last
name of each beneficiary*

Address (including ZIP code) of each
beneficiary**

Share to be paid to
each beneficiary

Trustee

100%

Niece

100%

Relationship to
you*

Share to be paid to
each beneficiary

Trustee

100%

Niece

100%

(See back of employee copy)
Relationship to
you*

Share to be paid to
each beneficiary

Cancel prior designations

Standard Form 3102 (Reverse of Part 1)
Revised August 2021

OMB Approval 3206-0173

Designation of Beneficiary

Civil Service and Federal Employees Retirement Systems
Important: Read all instructions before filing this form.

A. Identification
Name (last, first, middle)

Place an "X" in the
appropriate box: 

Date of birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

Retired or an
applicant for retirement

An employee

Department or agency in which presently employed (or former department or agency):
Department or agency
Location (city, state and ZIP code)

Former employee eligible
for retirement in the future

Social security number
If you are retired, give your claim
number

CSA

What is your retirement system

CSRS
CSRS

FERS
FERS

I, the individual identified above, designate the beneficiary or beneficiaries named
below to receive any lump-sum benefit which may become payable under CSRS after
my death. I understand that this designation of beneficiary will not affect the rights of
any survivors who may qualify for annuity benefits after my death, cancels any
previous designation of beneficiary, and remains in effect until I cancel it in writing by
filing a new designation form.
I direct, unless otherwise indicated below, that if more than one beneficiary is named,
the share of any beneficiary who may predecease me or who may be disqualified for
any other reason, shall be distributed equally among the stated beneficiaries, or entirely
to the survivor. If none of the beneficiaries are alive and eligible to receive payment
when a lump-sum payment becomes payable, this designation is void, and payment
will be made according to the order of precedence set by law.
Properly completed designations for CSRS employees and retirees are not valid unless
the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) receives the form before the death of the
designator. Mail both copies of the SF 3102 to:
U.S. Office of Personnel Management
P.O. Box 45
Boyers, PA 16017

I, the individual identified above, designate the beneficiary or beneficiaries named
below to receive any lump-sum benefit which may become payable under FERS after
my death, including lump-sum death benefits which may become payable based on
amounts contributed to CSRS before I became covered by FERS. I understand that
this designation of beneficiary cancels any previous FERS or CSRS designation of
beneficiary, and that it remains in effect until I cancel it in writing by filing a new
designation form or I receive payment of my FERS retirement contributions.
I direct, unless otherwise indicated below, that if more than one beneficiary is named,
the share of any beneficiary who may predecease me or who may be disqualified for
any other reason, shall be distributed equally among the stated beneficiaries, or entirely
to the survivor. If none of the beneficiaries are alive and eligible to receive payment
when a lump-sum payment becomes payable, this designation is void, and payment
will be made according to the order of precedence set by law.
Properly completed designations for FERS employees are not valid unless the
employing agency receives them before the death of the designator. FERS retirees
must send the designation form to OPM at the address below before the death of the
designator for this form to be valid.

OPM will validate the form and send you a copy for your records. Your employing
agency does not maintain this form.

U.S. Office of Personnel Management
P.O. Box 45,
Boyers, PA 16017

B. Information Concerning Beneficiaries (See Examples on the Reverse of Part 1. Type or print clearly)
First name, middle initial, and last
name of each beneficiary*

Date of designation (mm/dd/yyyy)

Address (including ZIP code) of each
beneficiary**

Relationship to
you*

Your signature

Share to be paid to
each beneficiary

Total = 100%

C. Witness (A witness is not eligible to receive a payment as a beneficiary):
I the undersigned, certify that this statement was signed in my presence.
Signature of witness

Address (including ZIP code)

Receiving Agency Certification: I have reviewed this designation and certify that the designated shares total 100% and that no witness was designated as beneficiaries.
Date received by agency (mm/dd/yyyy)

*

Signature

Date (mm/dd/yyyy)

We will pay to the person you designate, even if that person's name or relationship to you changes after you file this designation. For example, suppose you designate your spouse and then you
divorce and you marry someone else. We will pay any lump sum to your former spouse unless you submit another designation to cancel prior designations or to designate who we are to pay.

** We will write to the address you provide here to contact the person you designate. However, that person is obligated to contact us after your death to apply for any death benefits that may be payable.

Type or print your return address so that we can return a copy to you.

See back of Employee Copy for instructions on
where to file this form. (Retain until the FERS
employee leaves Federal service and then send to
the Office of Personnel Management.)
For current CSRS employees - - both copies must be
sent to OPM.
U.S. Office of Personnel Management
5 CFR 843.205

Part 2 - Employee Copy

This revision combines and supersedes all prior versions SF 2808 and SF 3102

Standard Form 3102
Revised August 2021

Instructions
Do Not Fill Out This Form Until You Have Read The Information and Instructions Below
This Designation of Beneficiary Form is used to designate who is to receive a lump-sum payment which may become payable under CSRS or FERS.
It does not affect the right of any person who is eligible for survivor benefits. This form may not be used and will not be effective in any way to elect,
or demonstrate the intent to elect, a survivor annuity for a spouse, former spouse, or an individual who has an insurable interest in an employee.
Do not confuse this form with designation forms used for other types of benefits: Standard Form 2823, Designation of Beneficiary - Federal Employees'
Group Life Insurance Program; TSP-3, Thrift Savings Plan Designation of Beneficiary; or Standard Form 1152, Designation of Beneficiary - Unpaid
Compensation of Deceased Civilian Employee.
This form is for employees and retirees under CSRS and FERS.
Order of Precedence
You do not need to make a designation if you are satisfied with the order of
precedence that the law provides. That order of precedence follows:
1. To your widow or widower.
2. If your widow(er) is deceased, to your child or children, with the share
of any deceased child distributed among the descendants of that child.
3. If none of the above, to your parents in equal shares or the entire amount
to the surviving parent.
4. If none of the above, to the executor or administrator of your estate.
5. If none of the above, to your other next of kin under the laws of the State
in which you live at the time of your death.
6. Payment of a lump sum will be made to the first person or persons listed
above who are alive on the day you die.
Designating a Beneficiary
1. You can designate any person, firm, corporation, trust, or legal entity as
your beneficiary.
If you want to designate a trust, see examples 4 and 5 on the back of
Part 1. Those examples name a contingent beneficiary in case the trust
is not valid. You don't have to name a contingent beneficiary unless
you want to. If the trust is not valid, and you do not name a contingent
beneficiary, OPM will pay according to the order listed under
"Order of Precedence" above.
2. You can change your beneficiary at any time, without the knowledge or
consent of a previous beneficiary, and this right cannot be waived or
restricted.
3. A designation of beneficiary must be in writing, signed, and witnessed.
If you are an employee, the designation must be received in your
employing office prior to your death. If you are a separated employee, a
retiree or a person receiving recurring payments from the Office of
Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP), the designation must be
received by OPM prior to your death.
4. A witness to a designation of beneficiary is ineligible to receive
payment as a beneficiary.
5. The person(s) named will be considered a beneficiary (beneficiaries) for
both CSRS and FERS lump-sum benefits.

6. You cannot change or cancel a designation of beneficiary in a last will
or testament unless it is signed, witnessed, and filed as described in
paragraph 3.
7. A designation of beneficiary remains in effect until (1) you cancel it by
filing a new designation, or (2) you receive a refund of your retirement
deductions before retirement. To inform us if the name or address of a
beneficiary changes, file a new designation of beneficiary. It may be
important to file a new designation if your family situation changes.
Completing the Designation Form
1. The examples printed on the back of the first page of this form may be
helpful to you in naming a beneficiary or canceling a prior designation
of beneficiary.
2. If you designate more than one beneficiary, be sure that the shares to be
paid to them add up to 100 percent. Do not use dollar amounts to
indicate the shares.
3. If you wish to designate more than four persons in Part B, use a blank
sheet of paper which you will attach to the form. Print your name and
date of birth at the top of the attachment and provide the information
required in Part B for each beneficiary. Your signatures on the form and
on the attachment must be witnessed by the same person. The witness
must sign both the form and the attachment.
4. Complete the form in duplicate. Type or print all entries except
signatures. Do not use pencil.
5. Do not erase or alter entries. No Corrections are permitted on this form.
Where to Submit the Completed Form
For separated CSRS or FERS employees, retirees and individuals
receiving recurring benefits from OWCP: If you have left Federal
employment, if you are receiving recurring benefits from OWCP, or if you
have retired, file this form with OPM, Retirement Operations Center, P.O.
Box 45, Boyers, PA 16017-0045.
Your designation will not be effective until the date it is received by your
employing agency (or OPM if you are not employed). The employee copy of
this form will be noted and returned to you as evidence that the original has
been received and filed. Please keep the duplicate in a safe place along with
your other important papers.
For the employing agency: File the Official Personnel Folder (OPF) copy
on the right side of the OPF. If the FERS employee leaves Federal service,
send all designations of beneficiary in the OPF to OPM. For current CSRS
employees, both copies of the form must be mailed to OPM because the
employing agency does not maintain copies in the OPF.

Privacy Act Statement
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(3), this Privacy Act Statement serves to inform you of why OPM is requesting the information on this form. Authority: OPM is authorized to collect
the information requested on this form by 5 U.S.C. chapter 83, subchapter III (Civil Service Retirement) and 5 U.S.C. chapter 84, subchapter IV (Federal Employee's Retirement).
OPM is authorized to collect your Social Security number by Executive Order 9397 (November 22, 1943), as amended by Executive Order 13478 (November 18, 2008).
Purpose: OPM is requesting this information to determine who will receive a lump sum benefit in the event of your death. Routine Uses: The information requested on this form
may be shared externally as a "routine use" to other Federal agencies and third-parties when it is necessary to to process your designation. For example, matching programs, with
national, state, local or other charitable or social security administrative agencies in order to determine benefits under their programs, to obtain information necessary for
determination of benefits under this program, or to report income for tax purposes. It may also be shared and verified, as noted above, with law enforcement agencies when they
are investigating a violation or potential violation of civil or criminal law. Consequences of Failure To Provide Information: Providing this information to OPM is voluntary.
However, failure to provide this information may delay or prevent OPM from processing the designation of beneficiary as requested by the applicant.
Public Burden Statement
We estimate providing this information takes an average of 15 minutes per response to complete, including the time for reviewing instructions, getting the needed data, and
reviewing the completed form. Send comments regarding our estimate including suggestions for reducing completion time, to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM),
Retirement Services Publications Team (3206-0173), Washington, D.C. 20415-0001. OPM may not collect this information, and you are not required to respond, unless this
number is displayed.
Standard Form 3102 (Reverse of Part 2)
Revised August 2021