PERA Life Insurance Program

PERA offers an optional group decreasing-term life insurance plan administered by Unum called Plan 1. Coverage with Plan 1 is based on age and allows the member to purchase units of coverage to meet their life insurance needs. In addition, the plan provides Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) benefits, life insurance coverage for spouses and eligible children, and an accelerated benefit option. Unum provides free survivor financial counseling to members, inactive members, and their survivors.

See the Life Insurance Program Highlights for more information on Plan 1.

Closed Plans

PERA's life insurance program also includes a number of "closed plans." New members cannot enroll in these closed plans, but these plans continue if you are already enrolled. Unum administers closed plans for which you are paying monthly premiums. PERA administers closed plans for which no premiums are being paid: New York Life paid-up or waiver plans, and Anthem Life and Prudential waiver plans. For more information, contact PERA's Customer Service Center at 303-832-9550 or 1-800-759-7372.

Enrollment

As a PERA member, you may enroll within 90 days of beginning PERA membership or during open enrollment each year (April 1 through May 31), without Evidence of Insurability (EOI).

If you apply for life insurance and you are not within 90 days of beginning PERA membership or it is outside of open enrollment, Unum will send you an EOI form to complete. Once Unum reviews your EOI form, they will notify you if you are enrolled.

After you retire, you are not eligible to enroll in life insurance. If you would like coverage in retirement, you should enroll during open enrollment (April 1 through May 31) the year prior to retirement.

You may enroll online by clicking on the "Account Access" icon and entering your PERA Personal Identification Number (PIN). From your account page, choose the "Inquiry" dropdown menu and select "Life Insurance." You will see the link to the Unum Web site.

Premium Payment

As an active member, your premium will automatically be deducted from your paycheck by your PERA-affiliated employer.

If you are an inactive member, you will pay Unum by check or through automatic deductions from your bank account. Contact Unum to set up premium payments at 1-866-277-1649.

In retirement, your premium(s) will automatically be deducted from your monthly PERA retirement benefit.

Beneficiary Election

You elect your beneficiary(ies) when you enroll in the program. Once enrolled, if you need to change beneficiaries, click on the "Account Access" icon and enter your PERA PIN. From your account page, choose the "Inquiry" dropdown menu and select "Life Insurance." You will see the link to the Unum Web site. You may also request that a beneficiary form be mailed to you by calling Unum at 1-866-277-1649.

To change your beneficiary(ies) for plans administered by PERA, you may print a PDF of the Life Insurance Beneficiary Change Form from this Web site under Tools/Forms/Pubs or you may request one be mailed to you by calling PERA at 303-832-9550 or 1-800-759-7372.

Canceling Coverage

You may cancel Unum coverage by clicking on the "Account Access" icon and entering your PERA Personal Identification Number (PIN). From your account page, choose the "Inquiry" dropdown menu and select "Life Insurance." You will see the link to the Unum Web site. You may also cancel your life insurance by sending a written request to cancel to the following address:

Unum
NA Administrative Services–B136
2211 Congress Street
Portland, ME 04102-9997

Filing a Claim

To file a life insurance claim for a policy administered by Unum, contact Unum at 1-866-277-1649. To file a claim for a policy administered by PERA, contact PERA's Customer Service Center at 303-832-9550 or 1-800-759-7372.

Termination of Employment

If you terminate PERA-covered employment, you may continue your life insurance coverage as long as you do not refund your PERA account and you continue to make premium payments to Unum by check or through automatic deductions from your bank account. If you leave PERA-covered employment, contact Unum to set up premium payments at 1-866-277-1649.

Continuation of Insurance if You Refund Your PERA Account

If you refund your PERA account and want to continue your life insurance coverage, contact Unum directly at 1-866-277-1649 for information on portability or conversion options.

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