The University of Michigan Group Term Life Insurance program is designed to provide staff members with term life insurance protection at the lowest possible cost.

The Prudential Insurance Company of America is the underwriter.

Eligibility
Enrollment
Beneficiary
Effective Date
Schedule of Benefits for Active Staff Members
Staff Member Monthly Rates
Imputed Income
Your Coverage in Retirement
When Changes Occur
How Benefits Are Paid

For a printable version of this information, view the Basic Group Term Life Insurance Plan book.

Eligibility

• Graduate Student Instructors (GSIs) and Graduate Student Staff Assistants (GSSAs) who have at least a 25% appointment and funding for a minimum of four continuous months during fall and winter terms, or for two continuous months during spring or summer terms.
• Graduate Student Research Assistants (GSRAs) who have at least a 25% appointment and funding for a minimum of four continuous months in any term.
• Research Fellows and Postdoctoral Scholars who have University funding and an appointment greater than 0% for a minimum of four continuous months.
• Retired University faculty and staff who were participating in the University Group Term Life Insurance Plan or the Basic Group Term Life Insurance Plan on the date of their retirement.

Stipend funds and temporary hourly wages are not eligible.

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Enrollment
New enrollment is not automatic. There are three ways you can enroll.

• As a new hire to the University. Life insurance is included on the Benefits enrollment form you receive as a new hire. You have 60 days to enroll. If you enroll as a new hire, you will not be required to provide evidence of insurability (a health statement). Obviously, this is to your advantage and will save you time and effort.
  
• As a newly eligible employee. As you become newly eligible for life insurance due to an appointment change that qualifies you for life insurance benefits, you will receive an enrollment form. If you enroll within the 60 days allowed, you will not be required to provide evidence of insurability (a health statement).
  
• At any time. After the 60 days expires, you can enroll at any time you choose, but you will be required to furnish evidence of insurability that is satisfactory to the Prudential Insurance Company of America. Prudential may also require a physical examination.

You can download the Basic Group Term Life Insurance application from this site.

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Beneficiary
You can name anyone you wish as your beneficiary. You can name a single beneficiary or you can name two or more beneficiaries to receive the insurance payment.

If you prefer, you can name a primary beneficiary as well as one or more contingent beneficiaries to receive the insurance proceeds if the primary beneficiary dies before you. In fact, it is possible to arrange for almost any series or combination of beneficiaries you desire.

If you name more than one beneficiary but do not specify their shares, they will share equally. If one of your beneficiaries dies before you, his or her interest will terminate and will be shared equally by any remaining beneficiaries, unless you specify otherwise in your beneficiary designation.

If none of the beneficiaries you name survive you, the amount of your insurance will be paid to your estate or as required by law.

You can change your beneficiary at any time by completing a Beneficiary for Group Life Insurance form. The new designation will take effect on the date your signed notice is received by the Benefits Office.

Assignment of the policy is not permitted.

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Effective Date

• If you enroll as a new hire or newly eligible employee, your insurance will become effective on your first day of work or first day you are newly eligible for this benefit if you enroll within 60 days.
  
• If you enroll after the 60 days, your insurance will become effective as of the day your enrollment application is received in the Benefits Office, or the later of dates (a) or (b) below.
  1. If you are not actively at work on the day your insurance would otherwise become effective, you will become insured as of the day you return to active work.
  2. If proof of insurability (a health statement) is required, your insurance will become effective on the day the health statement is approved by Prudential, the Benefits Office has been notified, and you are actively at work.