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State employees may opt to continue life insurance


When state employees retire, their optional life insurance can be continued at the same premiums they paid as employees, but many people are unaware that the premiums increase every five years with the policy ending at age 75.

Retirees also may convert their life insurance to an individual policywhich is good for life, but the premiums can sometimes be up to $800 per month. If they leave employment, they are offered the opportunity to convert the insurance to an individual policy.

Because of that, University Human Resources is providing a new benefit — a supplemental life insurance product that will be made available to university employees, in addition to the optional term life insurance provided by the S.C. State Employee Insurance Program.

The Whole Life Insurance product, or Voluntary Permanent Life, is offered by MetLife and has been approved for an open enrollment period ending Oct. 7.

Sarah King, DHA, director of public relations, said it's wonderful employees can have a choice. "I had no idea that the current group life insurance was hard to keep when I retire. This new life insurance benefit is wonderful and really helped me understand how everything works."

These policies are guaranteed to be paid up at age 70, or 20 years after the policy is issued if someone is 51 or older. The premiums never increase and there is guaranteed cash value built up in the policy, which a policy holder has access to at any time. The death benefit is guaranteed. A disability waiver of premium rider is also included, which means if a person can't work, the premiums are paid by MetLife, in order to keep the policy in force.

This new benefit will enable state employees to apply for significant amounts of life insurance coverage through Express Issue Underwriting by answering three health related questions related to the last six months. Express Issue is offered to the employee who opts for coverage, and it may be extended to the person's spouse, minor children and minor grandchildren. By adding this benefit before Oct. 7, employees will receive Lifetime Express Issue for themselves and their families.

The policy is portable and permanent. Whether an employee retires or changes jobs, this is an individual life insurance policy. The premiums will be paid through payroll deduction.

A team of MetLife representatives has been assembled especially for MUSC employees and will be available throughout the enrollment period at various locations on campus. For more information, contact a representative to schedule a personal appointment or visit a representative at one of the locations below before Oct. 7. For more information, contact MetLife on the dedicated MUSC office line at 460-6722 or email Robert Legare at rlegare@metlife.com.

Visit a Representative
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.—Oct. 4, Room 803, Harborview Office; Tower; Oct. 5, Room 420S, Clinical Sciences Building; Oct. 6, Room DC601, College of Dental Medicine, Room DC601 (use main patient entry); and Oct. 7, Room 803, Harborview Office Tower

  • The policy is paid up at age 70 or 20 years after issue date (if 51 and older)
  • Premiums are based on your age when you enroll and will not change when you retire
  • Premiums are paid through payroll deduction
  • Express Issue based on three health questions about the last six months
  • The policy may be taken with you if you leave employment

If employees have questions, contact the University Benefits Office at 792-2607 or review information on this program at http://www.musc.edu/hrm/benefits.


 

Friday, Sept. 30, 2011


The Catalyst Online is published weekly by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. The Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to The Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.