If a married couple dies, both of whom were federal employees covered by CSRS, each child is eligible for two survivor annuities. Children of deceased federal employees who were covered by FERS may be eligible for Social Security benefits, according to the laws governing that program. A survivor who is entitled to both an annuity under CSRS or FERS and to survivor compensation must elect one of the two benefits. Consequently, survivor benefits under both CSRS and FERS are partially subsidized by the federal government. Health Insurance for Surviving Spouses and Children

A widow or widower of a deceased retiree who is eligible for a survivor annuity under either CSRS or FERS and who was covered under the FEHBP at the time of the retiree's death can continue to participate in the program at the same cost as applies to workers and retirees. Instead, the surviving spouse receives a refund of the employee's contributions to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund.
Federal employees with permanent appointments may be eligible for retirement and disability benefits under either the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). Most federal employees initially hired into permanent federal employment on or after January 1, 1984, are covered by FERS. Employees hired before January 1, 1984, are covered by CSRS unless they chose to switch to FERS during open seasons held in 1987 and 1998. Both FERS and CSRS provide survivor benefits for spouses and dependent children of employees and retirees. Survivors who had been participating in the Federal Employees' Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) can continue to do so. The federal government pays compensation to dependent survivors of federal civilian employees who are killed while performing their duties; however, a survivor eligible for both an annuity under CSRS or FERS and for survivor compensation cannot receive both.