Regulations last checked for updates: Feb 16, 2025

Title 5 - Administrative Personnel last revised: Feb 13, 2025
§ 870.104 - Incontestability.

(a) If an individual erroneously becomes insured, the coverage will remain in effect if at least 2 years pass before the error is discovered, and if the individual has paid applicable premiums during that time. This applies to errors discovered on or after October 30, 1998, and applies only to employees, not retirees or compensationers.

(b) If an employee is erroneously allowed to continue insurance into retirement or while receiving compensation, the coverage will remain in effect if at least 2 years pass before the error is discovered, and if the annuitant or compensationer has paid applicable premiums during that time. This applies to such errors discovered on or after October 30, 1998.

(c) If an individual is erroneously enrolled in life insurance on or after the date he or she retires or begins receiving compensation, the coverage cannot remain in effect even if 2 years pass and the individual paid applicable premiums.

(d) If an individual who is allowed to continue erroneous coverage under this section does not want the coverage, he or she may cancel the coverage on a prospective basis, effective at the end of the pay period in which the waiver is properly filed. There is no refund of premiums. Exception: If an employee obtained Option C erroneously and did not have any eligible family members, that coverage may be cancelled retroactively and the insured will obtain a refund of the erroneous Option C premiums.

[75 FR 60576, Oct. 1, 2010]
authority: 5 U.S.C. 8716; Sec. 870.106 also issued under section 1110(b) of Pub. L. 116-92, 133 Stat. 1198 (5 U.S.C. 8702 note); Sec. 870.302(a)(3) also issued under sections 11202(f), 11232(e), and 11246(b) and (c) of Pub. L. 105-33, 111 Stat. 251, section 7(e) of Pub. L. 105-274, 112 Stat. 2419, and section 145 of Pub. L. 106-522, 114 Stat. 2472; Sec. 870.302(a)(3)(ii) also issued under section 153 of Pub. L. 104-134, 110 Stat. 1321; Secs. 870.302(b)(8), 870.601(a), and 870.602(b) also issued under Pub. L. 110-279, 122 Stat. 2604 (2 U.S.C. 2051); Subpart E also issued under 5 U.S.C. 8702(c); Sec. 870.601(d)(3) also issued under 5 U.S.C. 8706(d); Sec. 870.510 also issued under section 1622(b) of Pub. L. 104-106, 110 Stat. 521 (36 U.S.C. 5522); Sec. 870.703(e)(1) also issued under section 502 of Pub. L. 110-177, 121 Stat. 2542 (5 U.S.C. 8701 note); Sec. 870.705 also issued under 5 U.S.C. 8714b(c) and 8714c(c); and Subpart J also issued under section 599C of Pub. L. 101-513, 104 Stat. 2064 (5 U.S.C. 5561 note), as amended
source: 62 FR 48731, Sept. 17, 1997, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 5 CFR 870.104