Basic Life
The Trust administers basic life insurance for Union-represented State of Ohio employees through the Prudential Life Insurance Company of America. Coverage is automatically provided to you at no cost on the first of the month following one year of continuous state service, provided you are actively at work.
While your coverage is automatically provided, you must designate a beneficiary as your benefit will be paid to your beneficiary if you die while covered under this plan.
Your benefit equals one times your Basic Annual Earnings (rounded to the next higher thousand) up to the $150,000 maximum.
Basic Annual Earnings equals your regular pay (the “total rate” on your paystub), not counting commissions, bonuses, overtime pay or any other pay or fringe benefits, times 2,080 hours (for full-time employees) or 1,040 hours (for part-time employees).
Notes
- One-year waiting period
- No cost to you
- Separate from Trust-sponsored supplemental life insurance coverage
- Designate a Beneficiary
Accidental Death Benefit
This coverage provides an additional benefit that could double your normal basic life benefit, up to a combined maximum of $300,000. Accidental death coverage varies by Union and unit. See your booklet-certificate from Prudential for details.
Occupational-Only Accidental Death and Dismemberment
(OCSEA, SCOPE/OEA, FOP/OLC unit 48, CWA)
If you sustain an injury while on the job and die within 365 days as a result of the injury, your combined basic life and accidental death benefit is double your Basic Annual Earnings up to the maximum.
24-Hour Accidental Death and Dismemberment
(District 1199/SEIU, OSTA, FOP/OLC unit 2 and 46)
If you sustain an injury and die within 365 days as a result of the injury, your combined basic life and accidental death benefit is double your Basic Annual Earnings up to the maximum.
Accelerated Death Benefit
If you have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and have less than 12 months to live, according to the diagnosis, this benefit allows you to take a cash advance of a portion of your total life insurance benefit. You may request up to 50% of the basic life policy amount, up to the $75,000 cap. When combined with supplemental life insurance, your total accelerated death benefit may not exceed $150,000.
Portability
Portability means that if you and your family are covered under the term life insurance programs when you leave state employment, you may keep your insurance. However, the coverage will be term life insurance at term life rates, higher than our basic group life term insurance rates. In most cases the portability rates will be much less than the conversion rates. The amount that may be ported is one times your salary. For additional information refer to your plan booklets or contact Prudential at 844-533-4UBT (4828).
Conversion
You can convert your Basic Life insurance coverage to an individual whole life insurance contract if you pay the first premium to Prudential within 45 days after your coverage ends. To convert your coverage, contact Prudential.
Limits & Exclusions
See your plan booklet. For the final authority, refer to your booklet/certificate from Prudential.
Imputed Income
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires that employees be taxed on the value of paid group life insurance coverage exceeding $50,000. This is known as “imputed income.”
For details click here.
Beneficiary Designation
Benefits are paid to your designated beneficiary in the event of your death. Beneficiary designations can be made or changed online 24/7/365 for both basic and supplemental life insurance benefits by clicking here. You will need your State of Ohio user ID number, your date of birth (MM/DD/YYYY) and access code 01049. Paper designation can be made by completing the Beneficiary Designation Form and mailing it to the address on the form. Your change becomes effective when Prudential receives your designation form.
If you don’t name a beneficiary or none of your beneficiaries survives you, equal payment is made to the first of the following: spouse, children, parents, brothers and sisters, your estate.
To Collect Benefits
When a covered member dies, please call Prudential Toll Free at 844-533-4UBT (4828).