SF3102

Designation of Beneficiary - Civil Service and Federal Employees Retirement Systems

Agency
GSA
Revision
Revised October 2022
Fillable fields
34
Pages
3
Official source
GSA form page
Checked
October 20, 2026
Fill SF3102 online
Page 1 of form SF3102

Standard Form 3102 (SF 3102): Designation of Beneficiary (CSRS and FERS)

Standard Form 3102 (SF 3102), Designation of Beneficiary, Civil Service and Federal Employees Retirement Systems, is a U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) form, Revised October 2022, citing 5 CFR 843.205, with OMB Approval 3206-0173. GSA hosts a copy in its forms library. The form says this revision combines and supersedes all prior versions of SF 2808 and SF 3102.

The form says it 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, and it may not be used to elect a survivor annuity. It names three other designation forms not to confuse it with: SF 2823 for Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance, TSP-3 for the Thrift Savings Plan and SF 1152 for unpaid compensation.

The form has Part A for identification, Part B for the beneficiaries and their shares, Part C for two witnesses, and a receiving agency certification. OPM estimates an average of 15 minutes per response. You can fill it out free in your browser on this page and download the result without an account.

Top of page 1 of Standard Form 3102 (SF 3102): Designation of Beneficiary (CSRS and FERS), as printed by GSA

What's on SF 3102

Part A: identification

Name, date of birth, Social Security number, whether you are an employee, a retiree or a former employee, any CSA claim number, the department or agency and its location, and the retirement system.

CSRS and FERS statements

Two statements, one for CSRS and one for FERS, say the designation covers any lump-sum benefit, cancels any previous designation and stays in effect until cancelled in writing by a new form.

Part B: beneficiaries

Each beneficiary's name, address, relationship to you and share to be paid, with a total of 100%, followed by the date of designation and your signature.

Part C and agency certification

Two witness signatures with their addresses, then the receiving agency certification with the date received, a signature and a date.

Examples of designations

The back of Part 1 shows how to name one beneficiary, several beneficiaries, a contingent beneficiary, an inter vivos trust or a testamentary trust, and how to cancel prior designations.

Order of precedence

The instructions list the order the law sets when no designation is on file: widow or widower, children, parents, the executor or administrator of the estate, then other next of kin.

How to complete SF 3102

  1. 1

    Read the instructions first

    The form says not to fill it out until you have read the information and instructions. Filing it completely cancels any designation under CSRS or FERS filed before.

  2. 2

    Name each beneficiary in full

    Do not write names as initials or as Mrs. John H. Brown. To name your estate, the form says to enter "My estate". Shares are percentages, not dollar amounts.

  3. 3

    Attach a sheet for more than three

    For more than three persons in Part B, attach a blank sheet with your name and date of birth at the top. The same witness signs both the form and the attachment.

  4. 4

    Type or print in duplicate

    Complete the form in duplicate and type or print all entries except signatures, without pencil. The form says no corrections are permitted on it.

  5. 5

    Sign before two witnesses

    Sign and date in front of two witnesses who are not beneficiaries, and type or print your return address so a copy can be sent back to you.

  6. 6

    File it where the form says

    Current FERS employees file with the employing agency. CSRS employees, retirees and separated employees send the form to OPM at the Boyers, PA address on it.

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Where it goes and what the form says

Current FERS employees

The form says the agency keeps the original copy in the Official Personnel Folder and sends it to OPM after the employee separates from Federal service.

CSRS employees, retirees and separated employees

The form says to mail both completed copies to OPM, P.O. Box 45, Boyers, PA 16017. The instructions give OPM, Retirement Operations Center, P.O. Box 45, Boyers, PA 16017-0045.

When it takes effect

The form says a designation is not effective until the date it is received by the employing agency, or OPM if you are not employed. The employee copy is returned as evidence the original was filed.

How long it lasts

Until it is cancelled by a new designation, or until a refund of retirement deductions is received before retirement. The form says to file a new one if a beneficiary's name or address changes.

Privacy and time

OPM collects the information under 5 U.S.C. chapter 83, subchapter III and 5 U.S.C. chapter 84, subchapter IV. The form says providing it is voluntary but not providing it may delay or prevent processing. OPM estimates 15 minutes per response.

Related forms

Who fills out SF 3102?

  • Employees under CSRS or FERS

    A current employee designates the beneficiaries of any lump sum payable after their death. The form says an employee's designation must be received in the employing office before the death.

  • Retirees and former employees

    Retirees, separated employees and people receiving recurring payments from the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) file with OPM, which the form says must receive it before the death.

  • Two witnesses

    Two witnesses sign Part C to certify the statement was signed in their presence. The form says a witness is not eligible to receive a payment as a beneficiary.

  • The receiving agency

    The receiving agency enters the date received and certifies that the designated shares total 100% and that the witness was not designated as a beneficiary.

The form names who designates, who witnesses and who certifies receipt.

Official sources and the blank

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Questions about Form SF3102

Who issues SF 3102?

The form is printed as a U.S. Office of Personnel Management form, Revised October 2022, OMB Approval 3206-0173, citing 5 CFR 843.205. GSA hosts a copy in its forms library.

Does SF 3102 cover life insurance or the TSP?

No. The form says not to confuse it with SF 2823 for Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance, TSP-3 for the Thrift Savings Plan, or SF 1152 for unpaid compensation of a deceased civilian employee.

What happens if no designation is filed?

The form says a designation is not needed if you are satisfied with the order of precedence the law provides: widow or widower, children, parents, the executor or administrator of the estate, then other next of kin.

What happens to a designation after a divorce?

The form says payment goes to the person designated even if that person's name or relationship changes. Its example says a former spouse is paid unless another designation is submitted to cancel the earlier one.

Can a witness also be a beneficiary?

No. The form says a witness to a designation of beneficiary is ineligible to receive payment as a beneficiary.

Can a trust be named as beneficiary?

The form says any person, firm, corporation, trust or legal entity can be designated. It shows examples for an inter vivos trust and a testamentary trust, each with a contingent beneficiary.

Does SF 3102 elect a survivor annuity?

No. The form says it may not be used to elect, or demonstrate the intent to elect, a survivor annuity for a spouse, former spouse or an individual with an insurable interest.