Supplemental death benefits coverage

Supplemental death benefits coverage offers your survivors additional protection against the unexpected loss of income if you die. If you apply and are approved, this protection is in addition to death benefits provided under the Death and Disability or Term Life Plans.

Amount of benefit

There are different coverage levels available to you, your spouse (if you are married), and your eligible children.

MembersSpousesChild(ren)*
$25,000$25,000$10,000
$50,000$50,000$20,000
$75,000$75,000
$100,000$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
$250,000
$300,000

Enrollment

If eligible, you may apply for, increase, or discontinue supplemental death benefits coverage

  • when you first enroll in the Benefits Plan;
  • within 60 days of a qualifying life event; or
  • during Annual Enrollment for coverage effective the first of the following year.

You may elect this coverage for yourself or eligible family members and are not required to elect coverage for yourself in order to elect coverage for your spouse and/or eligible children.

Evidence of insurability

When you apply for supplemental death coverage for yourself and/or your spouse, you and/or your spouse may be prompted to complete online health statements, called evidence of insurability.

  • If you apply for coverage of $25,000 or $50,000 when first eligible, evidence of insurability is not required; it is required at any other time for all coverage amounts regardless of when enrolling.
  • Evidence of insurability is always required for your spouse, regardless of the coverage amount.
  • Evidence of insurability requirements do not apply to coverage for your children.

Cost/contributions

Your employer may pay some, none, or all of the cost of supplemental death benefits coverage. The Board of Pensions will bill your employer for coverage; your employer will then deduct the appropriate charges, if any, from your paycheck.

The cost of the coverage is determined by nicotine use (including but not limited to nicotine, nicotine replacement products, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vape pens, cigars, and chewing tobacco), coverage level, and age. In the first year of participation, the cost is based on your age on the date coverage begins. After that, the cost is based on your age as of January 1 each year.

Nicotine-free annual cost
Member or spouse costs Member-only costs
Age $25,000 $50,000 $75,000 $100,000 $150,000 $200,000 $250,000$300,000
<301326385177102128153
30-341632486496129161193
35-3920416182122163204245
40-44265177102153204255306
45-493877115153230306383459
50-5459117176235352469587704
55-591102193294396588771,0971,316
60-641683375056731,0101,3461,6832,020
65-692685368031,0711,6072,1422,6783,213
70-744088161,2241,6232,4483,2644,0804,896
75-794979951,4921,9892,9843,9784,9735,967
80-845251,0511,5762,1013,1524,2025,2536,304
85-895251,0511,5762,1013,1524,2025,2536,304
90-945251,0511,5762,1013,1524,2025,2536,304
95+5251,0511,5762,1013,1524,2025,2536,304

 

Nicotine user annual cost
            Member or spouse costs Member-only costs
Age $25,000 $50,000 $75,000 $100,000 $150,000 $200,000 $250,000$300,000
<3020395979118157196236
30-34275582109164218273327
35-393671107143214286357428
40-4453106158211317422528634
45-49911822733645467289101,092
50-541623254876509751,2991,6241,949
55-592805598391,1191,6782,2382,7973,357
60-643406801,0201,3602,0392,7193,3994,079
65-694478941,3411,7882,6823,5764,4705,364
70-746571,3141,9712,6293,9435,2576,5717,886
75-797451,4912,2362,9814,4725,9637,4548,944
80-849891,9772,9663,9555,9327,9099,88611,864
85-891,3092,6183,9275,2367,85410,47113,08915,707
90-941,6813,3625,0446,72510,08713,45016,81220,175
95+2,0494,0996,1488,19812,29716,39520,49424,593

 

All eligible dependent children in the family annual cost*
$10,000 coverage $20,000 coverage
$14$27
*Costs for all eligible dependent children in the family as defined by the Benefits Plan

Note: Displayed costs may be rounded.

Your employer may require you to pay the cost for supplemental death benefits or may contribute to all or part of its cost.

Changes in nicotine use

You are responsible for notifying the Board of Pensions if your or your spouse’s nicotine use changes. If you begin using nicotine products, you must notify the Board so rates are adjusted appropriately. If you quit using nicotine products, you should notify the Board after remaining nicotine-free for 12 months to qualify for lower rates. Report changes in nicotine use by calling the Board at 800-773-7752 (800-PRESPLAN) (TTY: 711).

Tobacco cessation support

The Board of Pensions provides Breathe Easy through Ignite Your Life, part of the Call to Health online well-being program, to help active members and spouses to become nicotine-free. For information or to enroll, go to the Call to Health website and click Ignite Your Life.