Life Insurance
In order to provide you and your family with financial protection in the event of your death, Houston County School District provides you with basic life coverage equal to one times your annual earnings up to $50,000 at no cost to you.
Voluntary life insurance is offered to supplement the employer-paid coverage. You may also elect voluntary life insurance coverage for your spouse and child(ren). Consider your current coverage and whether it would provide adequate protection for your family in the event of your death.
Beneficiaries
You will be required to provide your beneficiary information at the time of your enrollment. A beneficiary is a person who would receive your life insurance benefit in the event of your death.
Evidence of Insurability (EOI)
As a new hire, you may elect up to the lesser of 3 times your earnings or $300,000 for yourself and up to $25,000 for your spouse with no health questions. Should you wish to elect an amount that exceeds the Guarantee Issue, an Evidence of Insurability Form is required. You may obtain an EOI Form from the Resources page or by calling the Benefits Service Center. Most new and additional elections at Annual Open Enrollment also require an Evidence of Insurability (EOI). To apply, simply complete the form and submit it to The Hartford for review. You will not be deducted for your pending amount unless / until you are approved.
Important Notes
- Common law spouses and domestic partners are not eligible for spouse life coverage
- Child(ren) can be covered only until age 26
- Beneficiary information is required upon enrollment
- If you are married to another HCSD employee:
- You must elect Employee Life only (no Spouse Life coverage is available)
- Only one employee can cover the child(ren); no duplicate coverage is allowed
Voluntary Life Insurance
Plan Maximums
Employee Life: Up to 5x earnings in $10,000 increments to a maximum of $500,000
Spouse Life: $5,000, $10,000, $25,000, or $50,000
Child Life: $5,000 or $10,000 up to age 26
Guarantee Issue Amounts
Employee Life: the lesser of 3x earnings or $300,000
Spouse Life: Up to $25,000
Child Life (14 days to 6 months): $1,000
Child Life (6 months - 26 years): Up to $10,000
Age Reductions
The employee voluntary life benefit reduces based on age and follows the schedule below:
- Age 70-74: 65%
- Age 75-79: 45%
- Age 80+: 30%
EOI Form Completion
In order to be considered for a coverage amount above the guarantee issue, you must complete the EOI form (located in the Resources section) and return it to The Hartford.
The form asks for demographic, coverage, and health information. If approved, the Benefits Service Center will be notified and will adjust your benefits accordingly. If declined, you will receive a letter via US Mail with more information; you also have the right to appeal the decision.
Once completed, the form can be returned through mail or email, using the information below.
The Hartford
Group Medical Underwriting
P.O. Box 2999
Hartford, CT 06104-2999
Email: medical.uw@thehartford.com
Portability and Conversion
You have the opportunity to continue your life insurance benefit should you separate employment with Houston County Schools if certain requirements are met. You may either port your policy to an individual term life plan or convert your policy to a whole life plan upon separation.
The Basic Life, Supplemental Life, and Supplemental Dependent Life Insurance benefits include portability and conversion options. In order to port your coverage, you and your dependent spouse must be below Social Security Normal Retirement Age. Portability coverage terminates at age 75. For employees who terminate, separate, or retire at or above Social Security Normal Retirement Age, the only coverage continuation is conversion to an individual permanent whole life insurance plan.
Additional information regarding these two options may be obtained by contacting The Hartford or by visiting the Resources page.
