AFTRA

AFTRA is proud to offer you this important benefit, Modified Guarantee Issue Life Coverage for you and your family.

Modified Guarantee Issue Life Insurance means that you may purchase up to $100,000 of coverage on the AFTRA member with ONE medical question being asked and NO physical exam. You may also purchase Modified Guarantee Issue Life Insurance up to $25,000 for your spouse, and up to $5,000 for your dependent children. This is a One-Time open enrollment period. You must enroll within 90 days of obtaining your AFTRA Health coverage. If you miss the deadline, you will be considered a late entrant and proof of insurability will be required.

 

		* Low Group Rates for Term Life
		* Family Coverage Available
		* Up to $100,000 modified guarantee issue
		* One Medical Questions
		* No Physical Exam
		* Reliable Claims Payment
		* Top-rated Customer Service

Coverage is provided by Guardian Life Insurance Compnay. Guardian is a leading provider in group and individual insurance coverage. Founded in 1860, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America is one of the largest mutual insurance companies in the United States. Today, more than six million employees and their families rely on Guardian as their benefits partner. As one of the few insurers still mutually owned by our participants, we have built our success on the time-tested values of quality, innovation and unmatched service.

These programs have been arranged through your Union as part of its continuing efforts to provide members access to additional benefits. They will be administered by Group Benefit Associates and Guardian, not AFTRA or the AFTRA Health & Retirement Funds.

• AFTRA union members in good standing OR on Honorable Withdrawal
• AFTRA union members who have AFTRA Health Coverage considered active*
• AFTRA employees who are eligible for AFTRA Health Coverage
• AFTRA H&R employees who are eligible for AFTRA Health Coverage
• You must enroll within 90 days of obtaining your AFTRA Health Coverage
• Members age 70 and older must be individually underwritten
• AFTRA union members on Financial Core status are not eligible

 

*An active member is someone who would be considered Active, not retiree or other status with AFTRA H&R. A member who is covered under retiree status is not eligible to participate in this program. An Active member must meet, and continue to meet the earnings thresholds.

See the Q&A sections regarding eligibility if there are changes to your status.

 

Who Needs Life Insrance?

If you have any of these....

Daughter	Husband
Son	Parent
Wife	Loved One

.... then Life Insurance can help protect you family's financial future, with money to pay for:

Mortgage payments	Kids College
Legal or medical expenses	Outstanding Debts
Childcare expenses	Car payments

Tips for Buying Life Insurance

Life insurance helps provide financial protection for your family and loved ones. If something were to ever happen to you, life insurance would provide money so that your family and loved ones can continue to manage expenses if you were no longer around. Sample expenses include mortgage payments, legal or medical expenses, childcare, college education and outstanding debts. If someone depends on you, whether or not you work, chances are you need life insurance.

Know how much Life Insurance you need

A very broad rule of thumb is that your life insurance coverage should be 7 to 10 times your income. However, everyones life insurance needs are different. For example, you will need more insurance if you have four children compared to two or if you have credit card debt versus none.

How do you stack up? For a personal estimate on how much life insurance you need, go to the Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education website at www.lifefdn.org. The online life insurance needs calculator is easy to use and takes just minutes.

A good place to start is at your union

If your union offers a life insurance benefit, think about enrolling in it. A union provided benefit is generally affordable (just a few dollars a month in many cases) and easy to buy. You do not typically need a medical exam to enroll and your union has done the legwork of finding a quality plan to offer its members.

Life Changes

As things change in your life, your life insurance needs will too. Review your life insurance policy every year. If you have experienced a life milestone like getting married, having a baby or buying a home in the last year, you will want to make sure your family and loved ones continue to be adequately protected.

Questions & Answers

What is Voluntary Life Insurance?

Voluntary Life is an insurance program where members have the opportunity to choose a level of protection that best suits them and their family members for just a few cents a day.

What amounts are my dependents eligible for?

You can purchase life insurance for your spouse for 50% of the amount you selected for yourself to a maximum of $25,000. You may also select $5,000 coverage amount for your children.

What are the age limits to cover my dependent children?

Generally, dependent children are covered if over 14 days old but under age 20 or 20 years of age but under age 26 and attending an accredited education institution, college or university on a full time basis.

Who can my dependent and I elect as our beneficiaries?

You may elect anyone you wish as your beneficiary(ies) except for your employer. You will be the beneficiary for all of your dependents.

How are my rates determined?

The member and spouse/domestic partner rates are based on the age of the member. The rates are grouped in five-year bands and will change as you move from one band to the next. The premiums are redetermined on the first of the month of your birthday as you enter the next 5 year age band.

If my future needs change, can I increase my insurance?

Yes, but any increase is subject to evidence of insurability.

If I leave AFTRA, can I continue my coverage?

No. You must be a member of the union in order to participate in this program.

Who is eligible to purchase this coverage?

AFTRA union members in good standing and AFTRA union members in good standing who have AFTRA Health Coverage considered active*

AFTRA employees who have AFTRA Health Coverage

AFTRA H&R employees who have AFTRA Health Coverage

*An active member is someone who would be considered Active, not retiree or other status with AFTRA H&R. A member who is covered under retiree status is not eligible to participate in this program.

If I am no longer eligible for AFTRA Health Coverage, can I remain on this plan?

No. Once member losses their eligibility for coverage, that member can no longer participate in the plan.

If my coverage status with AFTRA Health and Retirement changes from Active to Retiree, or Early Retirement, what happens to my participation in this program?

You are no longer eligible to participate in this program.

What if I become terminally ill?

Your plan includes an Accelerated Life Benefit Option. When a doctor certifies that you are terminally ill and not expected to live more than 6 months, you may request up to 50% of your life insurance amount to $100,000.