Fill out SF-2809 (Health Benefits Election Form - FEHB) online
Standard Form 2809 (SF-2809) is the Health Benefits Election Form used by federal employees and annuitants to enroll in, change, or cancel coverage under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, one of the largest employer-sponsored group health insurance programs in the world.
How to fill out SF-2809 (Health Benefits Election Form - FEHB)
Enter employee/annuitant information
Provide your name, Social Security number, date of birth, employing agency or retirement claim number, and contact information.
Select your enrollment action
Indicate whether you are enrolling for the first time, changing your plan or enrollment type, or canceling your enrollment. Check the appropriate box for the reason (Open Season, qualifying life event, new employee, etc.).
Choose your health plan
Enter the enrollment code for the FEHB plan you are selecting and the enrollment type (Self Only, Self Plus One, or Self and Family). Consult the FEHB plan comparison tool at opm.gov for plan details and costs.
Sign and submit
Sign and date the form. Submit to your agency benefits office for processing. Keep a copy for your records.
About SF-2809 (Health Benefits Election Form - FEHB)
Who needs this form
Federal employees eligible for FEHB coverage who want to enroll, change their plan or enrollment type (Self Only, Self Plus One, Self and Family), or cancel their enrollment. Also used by annuitants (retirees) making health benefits elections.
Where to submit
Submit to your employing agency human resources or benefits office. Annuitants submit to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Retirement Operations. Elections must be made during Open Season, within 60 days of a qualifying life event, or within 60 days of becoming eligible.
Source and content freshness
- Reviewed: 2026-02-16
- Filing deadlines may shift for weekends and holidays. Verify due dates with official instructions.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Missing the Open Season enrollment period or the 60-day window after a qualifying life event
- Not selecting the correct enrollment type (Self Only, Self Plus One, Self and Family)
- Forgetting to list family members who should be covered under Self Plus One or Self and Family
- Not understanding the difference between fee-for-service and HMO plan options
Frequently asked questions
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When can I change my FEHB enrollment?
You can change your enrollment during the annual Open Season (typically mid-November through mid-December), within 60 days of a qualifying life event (marriage, divorce, birth of a child, loss of other coverage), or within 60 days of becoming newly eligible. Outside of these windows, changes are generally not permitted until the next Open Season.
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