Types of benefits and definitions
Monthly payments to eligible survivors and lump-sum payments, and what the pamphlet means by employee, retiree and former employee.
SF2800-1
Applying for Death Benefits Under the Civil Service Retirement System - Retirement Pamphlet
- Agency
- GSA
- Revision
- Revised March 2022
- Fillable fields
- 2
- Pages
- 17
- Official source
- GSA form page
- Checked
- October 20, 2026
Standard Form 2800-1 (SF 2800-1): Applying for Death Benefits Under CSRS
Standard Form 2800-1 (SF 2800-1), Applying for Death Benefits Under the Civil Service Retirement System, is a U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) pamphlet, Revised March 2022. GSA hosts a copy in its forms library. The pamphlet says it contains information for persons applying for benefits under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) because of the death of an employee, former employee, or retiree who was covered by CSRS.
It explains the two types of benefits that may be payable, monthly payments to eligible survivors and lump-sum payments, and says the type depends in part on whether the deceased was an employee, a former employee or a retiree at the time of death. It then covers applying with SF 2800, what happens after you file, Direct Deposit, address changes, Federal and State income tax and how to contact OPM.
SF 2800-1 is information, not an application. You can open it free in your browser on this page and download it without an account.
What's in SF 2800-1
Benefits after the death of an employee
Survivor annuities for a spouse married at least nine months or the parent of a child with the employee, a former spouse under a qualifying court order and dependent children, plus the lump sum when no survivor annuity is payable.
Benefits after the death of a retiree or former employee
Survivor annuities a retiree elected, children's annuities, the lump sum of annuity due but not paid before death, and the refund of remaining contributions.
Applying and what happens next
Which forms to complete, where to send them, the survivor annuity claim number (CSF number) OPM assigns, the booklet showing the monthly rate, and when the Department of the Treasury pays.
Direct Deposit, address and taxes
Getting survivor payments by Direct Deposit or a Treasury debit card, changing your mailing address, Federal income tax withholding and State income tax.
How to contact OPM
OPM's website, email, Services Online, the Retirement Information Office phone line and the Retirement Operations Center mailing address.
The pamphlet's table of contents lists these topics.
How to use SF 2800-1
- 1
Find the deceased's status
Use the definitions to see whether the deceased was an employee, a former employee or a retiree at death. SF 2800 asks for this status in item 8 and points to this pamphlet.
- 2
Complete SF 2800
The pamphlet says applicants for death benefits should complete SF 2800, Application for Death Benefits, and that its instructions are on the form itself. Blank forms can be photocopied for more copies.
- 3
Add SF 2800A for a deceased employee
If the deceased was an employee at death, the pamphlet says a surviving spouse or former spouse and the employing agency should complete SF 2800A, obtained from that agency.
- 4
Send it with the death certificate
For a deceased employee, send the application, a copy of the death certificate and other attachments to the personnel office of the last employing agency. For a former employee or retiree, send them to OPM.
- 5
Set up Direct Deposit
The pamphlet says to complete Section I of SF 2800 to have payments sent to a financial institution.
- 6
Keep your claim number
OPM assigns a survivor annuity claim number (CSF number). The pamphlet asks you to include it on all correspondence and to have it available when you contact OPM.
Why fill Form SF2800-1 on indox
You get the real form, filled in a browser tab, with nothing standing between you and the finished PDF.
- Fill the form right in your browser, no software to install
- Free to fill and free to download, with no account
- The official blank straight from the GSA, not a copy someone retyped
- Works on a phone, tablet or computer
Where applications go and what the pamphlet says
Where applications go
Deceased employee: the personnel office of the agency where the deceased was last employed. Former employee or retiree: U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Retirement Operations Center, P. O. Box 45, Boyers, PA 16017-0045.
After a deceased employee's application
The pamphlet says the personnel office passes the application to the payroll office, which sends it to OPM with the service records. OPM then assigns a CSF number and processes the application.
When payments arrive
The Department of the Treasury makes all payments. The pamphlet says regular monthly survivor annuity payments are due the first business day of each month, and lump sum payments may come at any time during the month.
Federal income tax
OPM reports annuity payments to the IRS and does not withhold tax from lump-sum payments. Unless told otherwise, it withholds from monthly payments as if you are a married person claiming three withholding allowances.
Contacting OPM
The Retirement Information Office is at 1-888-767-6738, Monday through Friday from 7:40 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time. Email is [email protected], and the mailing address is P.O. Box 45, Boyers, PA 16017-0045.
Related forms
SF2800
Application for Death Benefits - Civil Service Retirement System
204 fields, 7 pages
SF2800A
Documentation and Elections in Support of Application for Death Benefits When Deceased was an Employee at the Time of Death - Civil Service Retirement System
258 fields, 8 pages
SF2801A
Applying for Immediate Retirement Under the Civil Service Retirement System - Retirement Pamphlet
1 field, 33 pages
SF2801
Application for Immediate Retirement CSRS
454 fields, 21 pages
Who reads SF 2800-1?
The pamphlet describes benefits for survivors of three groups, which it defines on its first page.
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Questions about Form SF2800-1
Is SF 2800-1 an application?
No. It is an informational pamphlet. The pamphlet says applicants for death benefits should complete SF 2800, Application for Death Benefits, and in certain situations SF 2800A.
Who issues SF 2800-1?
The pamphlet is printed by the United States Office of Personnel Management, Retirement Services, Revised March 2022. GSA hosts a copy in its forms library.
What kinds of CSRS death benefits does it describe?
Two types: monthly payments to eligible survivors and lump-sum payments. The pamphlet says the type payable depends in part on whether the deceased was an employee, a former employee or a retiree at the time of death.
Who receives a lump-sum benefit?
The pamphlet says it is paid to the first person eligible in this order: a beneficiary designated in writing and received at OPM before death, the spouse, children or descendants of deceased children, parents, a court-appointed executor or administrator, then next of kin under the laws of the state of domicile.
When are survivor annuity payments made?
The pamphlet says the Department of the Treasury makes all payments, regular monthly survivor annuity payments are due the first business day of each month, and the first payment may come at any time during the month.
How do I contact OPM about a survivor annuity?
Call the Retirement Information Office toll-free at 1-888-767-6738, email [email protected], or write to U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Retirement Operations Center, P.O. Box 45, Boyers, PA 16017-0045. The pamphlet asks for the deceased's full name and date of birth when you call.