Supplemental life insurance is an optional benefit that can provide additional life insurance coverage for you and your dependents. Supplemental life, available only to OCEA members, has great benefits and low rates.

The plan includes a life insurance benefit and an accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) benefit. As an OCEA member, you may elect a level of coverage at one, two, or three times your base annual salary (BAS), subject to  maximum benefits shown on the Schedule of Benefits. Also provided at no additional cost are an $8,000 burial benefit and a twelve-month living benefit.

An OCEA member may enroll in the supplemental life insurance plan within the first 30 days of membership (for one times BAS up to $60,000 coverage) with no health evidence of insurability required. Also, an OCEA member may enroll at any time throughout the year, subject to approval of evidence of insurability by Standard Insurance.  Benefits begin to decrease at age 65 as shown on the Reduction Schedule.

In addition to insuring your own life, you may also insure the lives of your spouse and your children. The maximum benefit will be a percentage of the amount you elect for yourself as shown on the Schedule of Benefits.

For all of OCEA’s supplemental benefits plans, the effective date of coverage will be determined by OCEA. Where appropriate, OCEA will notify you of your effective date. Also, limitations on eligibility (as well as other limitations) may apply. For more specific information on eligibility, coverage dates, and other matters, see the Enrollment Guidelines section of this guide. For further information, contact OCEA at (714) 835-3355.

You may select from the following three available coverage amounts:

1. An amount equal to the lesser of (a) your base annual salary or (b) $60,000.
2. An amount equal to the lesser of (a) twice your base annual salary or (b) $120,000.
3. An amount equal to the lesser of (a) three times your base annual salary or (b) $180,000.

Example: If your base annual salary is $64,000, and you choose “1,” above, your coverage amount is $60,000.

The following chart summarizes the above and also shows coverage amounts for your spouse and children.

If you are an active employee and age 65 or over, your benefit will be reduced. See the chart below for the percentage of death benefit payable to your beneficiary.

It is important that you name a beneficiary of your supplemental life insurance at the time of enrollment. You may name any one or more persons or entities as your beneficiary. In the event you name more than one person or entity as a beneficiary, they will share the benefit equally unless you indicate otherwise. You may change your beneficiary at any time by notifying OCEA of the change in writing.

You (and your dependents, if applicable) will be required to fulfill evidence of insurability requirements if you do any of the following:

• Enroll in the plan after your first 30 days as an OCEA member; or
• Select an amount greater than your base annual salary; or
• Increase the amount of your coverage after the initial 30 days of your OCEA membership.

Coverage may be continued without further payment, provided (a) you are under age 60, and (b) you satisfy the disability criteria. Proof must be provided within 12 months following the end of your active employment.

The living benefit allows you the opportunity while living and under age 60 to receive 75% of your life insurance coverage should you be diagnosed with a terminal illness with a life expectancy of twelve months or less. The minimum amount that can be requested is $5,000 or 10% of your insurance, whichever is greater.

Upon your death, your beneficiary will receive any remaining benefit.

An additional burial benefit in the amount of $8,000 is available at no extra cost to OCEA members who enroll in the supplemental life insurance plan. The benefit is payable to the beneficiary in the event of your death from any cause.

Contact OCEA at (714) 835-3355 to request claim forms.

Your base annual salary (BAS) is the annual equivalent (rounded up to the next even thousand-dollar amount) of your base weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, or monthly salary for your normal work schedule. This excludes overtime, bonuses, or any other special form of compensation.

Employee

If your life insurance coverage ceases because (a) your employment ends, or (b) your classification changes, you may convert to an individual policy.

You must apply for the policy within 30 days after your life insurance ceases. Evidence of insurability is not required.

If your life insurance has been in effect for at least five years and the plan ends or the plan ceases to include your classification of employees, you may convert to an individual policy on the same basis as above.

The converted policy will be limited to the lesser of (a) the amount of life insurance you have under the supplemental life insurance plan, less any amount of life insurance you become eligible for under another group policy within 30 days after the plan ends, or (b) $2,000.

Dependents

Your dependent’s life insurance may be converted to an individual policy if:

• your employment ceases,
• you die,
• you cease to be in an eligible class,
• the dependent marries, or
• the dependent reaches any applicable age limit.

The policy can be in any form then in use by the insurance company, except term insurance. The policy will not contain disability or supplementary benefits. The dependent must apply for the policy within 30 days after the coverage ends. Evidence of insurability is not required.

The premium for the policy will be based on your dependent’s age, class of risk, and the form and amount of the policy.

If your dependent’s life insurance has been in effect for at least three years, and the plan ends or the plan ceases to include your classification of employees, your dependent may convert to an individual policy on the same basis as above.

The converted policy will be limited to the lesser of (a) the amount of life insurance your dependent becomes eligible for under another group policy within 30 days after the plan ends, or (b) $2,000.

Additional accidental death and dismemberment coverage may be purchased in addition to that included in the supplemental life insurance plan. Coverage amounts are either $50,000, $75,000, or $100,000, based on your gross biweekly salary as shown in the Cost of Coverage chart below. Coverage is not available to extra-help employees.

An OCEA member may enroll in the AD&D plan at any time during the year.

For all of OCEA’s supplemental benefits plans, the effective date of coverage will be determined by OCEA. Where appropriate, OCEA will notify you of your effective date. Also, limitations on eligibility (as well as other limitations) may apply. For more specific information on eligibility, coverage dates, and other matters, see the Enrollment Guidelines section of this guide. For further information, contact OCEA at (714) 835-3355.