Proposed Extension of Information Collection: Death Gratuity
Published Date: 2/3/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Labor wants to keep collecting info about the Death Gratuity, a payment to families of federal employees who pass away. They’re asking for public feedback by April 6, 2026, to make sure the forms are easy to use and don’t waste time or money. This affects federal employees’ families and helps keep the process smooth and clear.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Death Gratuity Payment Up to $100,000
The Federal Employees' Compensation Act provides a death gratuity benefit of up to $100,000 for eligible beneficiaries of federal and NAFI employees who die from injuries connected with service with an Armed Force in a contingency operation. Agencies may authorize retroactive payments for employees who died on or after October 7, 2001, in the theaters of Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Death Gratuity Forms Stay Required
The Department of Labor will continue collecting information using Forms CA-40, CA-41, and CA-42 to designate recipients, file claims, and notify OWCP about employee deaths. The agency reports the current collection has 7 respondents, 7 responses, 1.75 annual burden hours, and $56 in annual respondent costs.
Beneficiary Order and Spouse Notification Rules
Under 5 U.S.C. 8102a, federal employees may change the order of precedence for death gratuity beneficiaries or name alternate beneficiaries using Form CA-40. Since December 2011, employing agencies must notify a spouse if an employee designates all or part of the gratuity to someone other than that spouse.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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