2026-02144Notice

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

Published Date
Comments Due
2/3/2026
4/6/2026

Department and Agencies

Department
Independent Agency
Agency
Labor Department
Workers' Compensation Programs Office
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