Spouse Life Insurance
Children’s provides you with the option to elect Spouse Life Insurance coverage to provide benefits to you in the event of your spouse’s death. See the Life Insurance/AD&D Summary Plan Description (SPD) under Resources at the left for more detailed information.
Who Can Enroll
You are eligible for Spouse Life Insurance if you are a married, regular full-time employee of Children’s or a regular part-time employee who is committed to work at least 40 hours per pay period. No spouse can be covered as both an employee and as a dependent in the plan. Your spouse must be a citizen or legal resident of the U.S., its territories and protectorates to be eligible for Spouse Life Insurance. Any person who is in full-time military service cannot be covered for Spouse Life Insurance.
When You Can Enroll Your Spouse
You are eligible to enroll your spouse in Spouse Life Insurance within 31 days of your date of hire. If you do not enroll within the 31-day window, you will not be able to enroll for the remainder of the calendar year, unless you experience a change in family status.* Your next opportunity to enroll will be the next Annual Enrollment period. Certain restrictions apply based on Guaranteed Issue and Evidence of Insurability.
*Changes in family status include marriage, divorce, birth, adoption or legal guardianship of your child, death of a spouse, loss of coverage through your spouse or change in employment status. See Making Benefit Changes on the home page of this site for additional information.
How Much Coverage You Can Buy
You may purchase Spouse Life Insurance in the following amounts up to $500,000:
- $5,000.
- 1 x annual base salary.
- 2 x annual base salary.
The coverage amount you select for your spouse cannot exceed 50% of the total of your employee Basic Life Insurance and Supplemental Employee Life Insurance coverage amount.
Cost
You pay 100% of the cost for Spouse Life Insurance. Premiums are subject to change during the benefits plan year when your annual base pay changes, or when your spouse moves into a higher age premium bracket. See 2011 Rates at the left for costs.
Guaranteed Issue Amount
The Guaranteed Issue is the maximum amount of coverage you may elect for your spouse without your spouse having to be approved by The Hartford underwriting through Evidence of Insurability (EOI). The Guaranteed Issue amount for Spouse Life Insurance is $50,000.
Evidence of Insurability (EOI)
Evidence of Insurability (EOI) in the form of a Personal Health Application is required for Spouse Life coverage greater than the Guaranteed Issue amount of $50,000, or any increase in your Spouse Life level of coverage above the Guaranteed Issue, or if your spouse is a late entrant into the plan. Your spouse is a late entrant if he or she enrolls for Spouse Life Insurance after the initial enrollment period (31 days from your date of hire or marriage).
You will be contacted after enrollment with information on the Evidence of Insurability (EOI) process. Your spouse's completed Personal Health Application will be reviewed by The Hartford Underwriting. Children's will not have access to your spouse's Personal Health Information. If approved, your spouse's coverage will go into effect on the first of the month after approval by The Hartford.
Beneficiary Designation
If you have selected Spouse Life Insurance for your spouse, you are automatically the beneficiary.