SF 3102 is the Standard Form that the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) uses to record who receives a lump-sum payment that may become payable under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) after your death. It is for employees and retirees under either system. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the form is published by OPM, and where it goes depends on whether you are a current employee or separated or retired.
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What is SF 3102?
Standard Form 3102, Designation of Beneficiary - Civil Service and Federal Employees Retirement Systems, is the OPM form that lets a CSRS or FERS employee or retiree name the person or persons who will receive any lump-sum benefit payable under the system after the employee's or retiree's death.
The form is authorized by 5 CFR 843.205 and carries OMB Approval 3206-0173. This October 2022 revision combines and supersedes all prior versions of SF 2808 and SF 3102. Filing it completely cancels any CSRS or FERS designation of beneficiary you filed before, so every person you want to designate must be named on the new form.
The form does not affect the rights of anyone eligible for survivor benefits. It cannot be used to elect, or to show intent to elect, a survivor annuity for a spouse, former spouse or a person with an insurable interest in an employee.
The instructions also tell you not to confuse it with other designation forms: Standard Form 2823 (Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program), TSP-3 (Thrift Savings Plan) and Standard Form 1152 (unpaid compensation of a deceased civilian employee).
The form has Part A (identification), Part B (information concerning beneficiaries), Part C (witness) and a receiving agency certification, and it is completed in duplicate.
Who needs to file SF 3102?
Employees and retirees covered by CSRS or FERS use SF 3102 when they want to choose who receives the lump-sum benefit payable at their death. The form's identification box covers an employee, a retired person or an applicant for retirement, and a former employee eligible for retirement in the future.
You do not have to file it. The instructions say you do not need a designation if you are satisfied with the order of precedence set by law: first a widow or widower, then children, then parents, then the executor or administrator of your estate, then other next of kin under the law of your state.
You can name any person, firm, corporation, trust or legal entity. You can change the designation at any time without the knowledge or consent of a previous beneficiary.
Do not use SF 3102 to elect a survivor annuity, or for FEGLI, Thrift Savings Plan or unpaid-compensation benefits, which have their own forms. A witness cannot also be a beneficiary. The form is signed by the person making the designation; it names no one who may sign for you.
When to file SF 3102
File SF 3102 whenever you want to name or change a beneficiary, and in every case before your death. A designation is not valid unless it is received before the death of the person who signed it: by your employing office if you are a current employee, or by OPM if you are separated, retired or receiving recurring payments from the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP). It takes effect on the date your employing agency, or OPM if you are not employed, receives it.
A designation stays in effect until you cancel it by filing a new one or you receive a refund of your retirement deductions before retirement (for FERS, until you receive payment of your FERS retirement contributions). The instructions suggest filing a new designation when your family situation changes, and note that a beneficiary's name or relationship changing after you file does not change who is paid. The form sets no other deadline.
Documents you need
- A blank sheet of paper attached to the form, only if you designate more than three persons in Part B: print your name and date of birth at the top and give the Part B information for each beneficiary. The same witness must sign both the form and the attachment.
How to fill out SF 3102
Read the instructions first
The form says to read all instructions before filing. Complete it in duplicate, type or print every entry except signatures, and do not use pencil.
Complete Part A identification
Enter your name (last, first, middle), date of birth as mm/dd/yyyy and Social Security number. Place an "X" in the box that fits: an employee or applicant for retirement, a retired person, or a former employee eligible for retirement in the future. If retired, give your claim number.
Enter your agency and retirement system
Give the department or agency where you are employed (or your former one) with its city, state and ZIP code, then mark CSRS or FERS as your retirement system.
List each beneficiary in Part B
For each beneficiary give first name, middle initial and last name, address with ZIP code, and relationship to you. Do not use initials only or forms like Mrs. John H. Brown; enter "My estate" to name your estate.
Assign shares totaling 100 percent
In the share column write each beneficiary's share as a percentage, and make the total 100%. Do not use dollar amounts.
Name contingent beneficiaries or trusts
If you want a backup, follow the printed examples on the reverse of Part 1 for a contingent beneficiary, an inter vivos trust or a testamentary trust. You are not required to name a contingent beneficiary.
Attach a sheet for extra beneficiaries
If you designate more than three persons, use a blank sheet with your name and date of birth at the top and the Part B information for each person. The witness must sign both the form and the attachment.
Date and sign the designation
Enter the date of designation (mm/dd/yyyy) and your signature in front of your witnesses. Do not sign before they are present.
Complete Part C witness block
The witnesses sign and give their addresses with ZIP codes, certifying that the statement was signed in their presence. A witness cannot be a beneficiary. The receiving agency completes its own certification.
Add your return address and download
Type or print your return address so a copy can be returned to you. Review every entry, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and send it as described under How to submit.
How to submit SF 3102
Where SF 3102 goes depends on your status: your employing agency, or OPM by mail.
- Current CSRS employees: mail both the completed Original and Employee copies to OPM, P.O. Box 45, Boyers, PA 16017. The employing agency does not keep this form. OPM validates both copies and sends you one for your records.
- Current FERS employees: the designation is valid only if your employing agency receives it before your death. The agency keeps the original in your Official Personnel Folder and sends it to OPM after you separate from Federal service.
- Separated employees, retirees and people receiving recurring OWCP benefits (CSRS or FERS): file with OPM, Retirement Operations Center, P.O. Box 45, Boyers, PA 16017-0045.
Type or print your return address on the form so a copy can be returned to you. The employee copy is noted and returned as evidence that the original was received; keep the duplicate in a safe place. The form states no fee and names no online filing channel. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Filling out the form in pencil; the instructions say not to use pencil and to type or print all entries except signatures.
- Erasing or altering an entry; no corrections are permitted on this form, so a changed entry means starting a new form.
- Using dollar amounts for shares instead of percentages, or shares that do not total 100 percent when you name more than one beneficiary.
- Using a witness who is also named as a beneficiary; a witness is ineligible to receive payment as a beneficiary.
- Sending only one copy as a current CSRS employee; both the Original and Employee copies must go to OPM, because your agency keeps no copy.
- Writing names such as M.E. Brown or Mrs. John H. Brown instead of first name, middle initial and last name; to name your estate, enter "My estate".
- Naming only some of your beneficiaries on a new form, forgetting that it completely cancels every earlier CSRS or FERS designation.
- Using SF 3102 to elect a survivor annuity; the form has no effect for that purpose.
- Attaching a continuation sheet for more than three beneficiaries that lacks your name and date of birth, or has a different witness than the form.
Frequently asked questions
What is SF 3102 used for?
SF 3102 is the OPM Designation of Beneficiary for CSRS and FERS. You use it to name who receives any lump-sum benefit payable under your retirement system after your death. It does not elect a survivor annuity and does not affect survivors who qualify for annuity benefits.
Do I have to file SF 3102?
No. If you are satisfied with the order of precedence set by law (widow or widower, then children, then parents, then your estate's executor or administrator, then next of kin), you do not need a designation. File it only if you want to choose different beneficiaries.
Where do I send SF 3102?
It depends on your status. Current CSRS employees mail both copies to OPM, P.O. Box 45, Boyers, PA 16017. Current FERS employees file with their employing agency. Separated employees, retirees and OWCP recipients file with OPM, Retirement Operations Center, P.O. Box 45, Boyers, PA 16017-0045.
Does SF 3102 need a witness?
Yes. A designation must be in writing, signed and witnessed, and your signature must be made in the witnesses' presence. A witness cannot receive payment as a beneficiary. If you attach a sheet for more than three beneficiaries, the same witness signs it as well.
Can I change my beneficiary later?
Yes. You can change it at any time without the knowledge or consent of a previous beneficiary, and this right cannot be waived. File a new SF 3102; it cancels every earlier CSRS or FERS designation, so name everyone you want to designate.
How many beneficiaries can I list on SF 3102?
Part B has room for three. For more, attach a blank sheet with your name and date of birth and the Part B information for each person. Shares must add up to 100 percent, written as percentages, not dollar amounts.
Can I fill out SF 3102 online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not file the form; you still need witness signatures and must send it to your employing agency or OPM.
When does my designation take effect?
On the date your employing agency receives it, or OPM if you are not employed. It is not valid unless received before your death. It stays in effect until you cancel it with a new designation or receive a refund of your retirement deductions.
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