Life and Other Insurance

Find out what is the difference between term life insurance and universal life insurance. Also, here, you will find the enrollment information.

Insurance provides protection for the time you are employed.  You do not continue term insurance if you leave the City.  The premium is more affordable than the premium for a smaller amount of universal life insurance.

The City of Chicago provides $25,000 basic group term life insurance coverage at no cost to full-time employees through MetLife Insurance.  The employee’s spouse and/or dependents are not eligible for basic group term life coverage.

An employee can purchase optional term life insurance through payroll deduction up to ten times his or her annual salary.  Premium payment amounts are based on age and salary.  Optional term life insurance can also be purchased through the employee’s payroll deduction for a spouse ($10,000, $25,000, or $50,000) and eligible dependents ($5,000 or $10,000).

Important Notice (MetLife) – New Hires: Proof of good health will be required if a new employee fails to enroll within 31 days of the hire date.  MetLife will send information to the home address. For more information, contact MetLife customer service at 1.866.492.6983 or visit www.metlife.com/mybenefits.

 

BASIC TERM LIFE INSURANCE: (MetLife www.metlife.com/mybenefits or 1.866.492.6983)
As a City employee, you automatically receive $25,000 of free basic life insurance which pays in the event of your death and/or for certain accidental losses. When your employment with the City ends, you can continue
this basic life insurance by paying premiums directly to MetLife. Amount may differ based on Collectively Bargained Agreement.

 

OPTIONAL TERM LIFE INSURANCE: (MetLife www.metlife.com/mybenefits or 1.866.492.6983)
You may increase the amount of life insurance for yourself or buy coverage for your eligible dependents. Proof
of good health may be required.
Please note:

  • Proof of good health may be required if you are increasing the amount of insurance (1x to 10x your annual
    earnings, up to $1.5 million).
  • Insurance is available for purchase for a spouse or civil union partner for $10,000, $25,000 or $50,000 of
    coverage (limits apply)
  • Insurance is available for children from birth to age 25 for $5,000 to $10,000 in coverage (one rate covers
    all your children).

Insurance is designed to provide life-long protection as long as the policy is in force, even after you leave city employment.  The premium is higher than a similar amount of term insurance.

Universal life insurance is also available through payroll deduction to eligible full-time employees and their eligible dependents through Texas Life Insurance.

This optional insurance is portable which means the employee owns the policy and can choose to continue coverage at the same rates after leaving the City employment. Premium amounts are based on salary and age.

Important Notice (Texas Life) – New Hires: Employees can enroll year-round however; spouses and dependents are eligible for Express Issue enrollment only within 30 days of the employee’s hire date and at fall open enrollment. To schedule an enrollment appointment with a Texas Life representative or for more information contact Texas Life customer service at 1.800.638.6855.

PERMANENT LIFE INSURANCE: (Texas Life (formerly MetLife) www.empben.com/CityofChicagoUL/ or 1 .800.638.6855)
Permanent life insurance also provides a death benefit. Sign up for this coverage and/or apply for coverage for your dependents. Proof of good health is required satisfactory to Texas Life.

What is Long Term Disability (LTD)?

LTD is insurance designed to assist with replacing a portion of your income if you are sick or injured for an extended period of time.  LTD insurance is available to all active full-time employees regardless of their enrollment in the medical benefits. Participants in the program may receive up to 60% of their pre-disability earnings.

How do I enroll in the Long Term Disability (LTD) program?

  • Sworn Police Below the Rank of Sergeant
    Sworn Police Below the Rank of Sergeant are not automatically enrolled in the program.  If you would like to enroll in the program contact Prudential Insurance Company at 1.800.778.3827.
  • All Other Employees
    All other newly hired employees on or after April 1, 2018, are automatically enrolled in the Long Term Disability (LTD) program.  Premiums are automatically deducted from your paycheck.  You may opt out of the program by contacting Prudential Insurance Company at 1.800.778.3827.

LONG TERM DISABILITY (LTD): (Prudential www.prudential.com 1.800.842.1718)
The LTD is designed to provide you a monthly cash payment in the event you cannot work because of an illness or injury. New City employees are automatically enrolled in Long Term Disability coverage. An employee may opt out of the program by contacting Prudential directly at the number above.

Beginning in January 2018, employees will have the opportunity to purchase voluntary supplemental insurance through payroll deduction. Voluntary Supplemental Insurance will be sold by two insurers:

  • Combined Insurance Company 1.888.870.3382
  • Aflac Insurance Company 1.888.382.3522

Each insurer is authorized to enroll you in one of three supplemental insurance products:

  • Hospital Indemnity Insurance pays a fixed dollar amount if you are hospitalized
  • Accidental Injury Insurance pays a fixed dollar amount for certain medical and other services if you are injured in a non-work accident
  • Critical Care insurance pays a fixed dollar amount if you become ill with a specified critical diagnosis

Employees should carefully consider which of the optional products the City offers best meets their needs for life insurance, disability insurance, medical and dental care and now supplemental insurance through payroll deduction. Detailed information about these products is available directly from the insurers at the numbers listed above.

The City of Chicago Benefits Office does not provide advice regarding these insurance products.

Enrollment Forms