(a) To elect FERS coverage, an employee must submit a completed FERS Election of Coverage form (SF 3109) and any additional documentation that may be required under §846.722 (relating to the former spouse consent requirement) to the employing office no later than the close of business on December 31, 1998.

(b) Any writing signed by the employee and filed with the employing office may be treated as an election for the purpose of establishing the date of the election of FERS coverage if the employee intends that document to be an election, but the employee (or, if the employee dies after filing the election but before completing the SF 3109, the survivor) must submit a completed SF 3109 to confirm any such election.