Frequently Asked Questions

Contact your human resources department to complete an application for coverage.

You may choose basic and supplemental coverage for yourself. Basic coverage is equal to your annual gross compensation rounded up to the next one thousand dollars. Supplemental coverage is available at one, two or three times your basic coverage. Basic and supplemental coverages also include Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage. For example:

Dependent coverage is also available. Please see the options below:

You can use MainePERS’ Group Life Insurance Premium Calculator to determine the cost of your coverage.

Eligible employees may enroll in Group Life Insurance within their first 31 days of employment without filing Evidence of Insurability. If you wish to enroll for the first time after your initial eligibility window has closed or if you wish to increase your coverage level, you will need to file for Evidence of Insurability. This request may be completed through your employer’s human resources or payroll department.

Once the request has been submitted to MainePERS’ insurance carrier, the carrier facilitates the review of your application. The insurance carrier will provide a link via email to a secure portal to process your application. Once your completed application has been reviewed, the insurance carrier will communicate their decision to you and to MainePERS. If approved, your coverage will begin the first day of the month following the completion of one month of employment after the date of approval. If you are out on a leave of absence when your application is approved, you must return to employment for one month. Your effective date of coverage will be the first of the following month.

If you wish to obtain coverage for the first time after your initial enrollment window or increase your existing coverage level, you must file Evidence of Insurability.

You may change your life insurance beneficiary at any time. Designation of Beneficiary – Group Life Insurance forms may be downloaded from the links below.  In order for a change of beneficiary form to be valid, it must be received at MainePERS or postmarked prior to your date of death.        

Designation of Beneficiary – Group Life Insurance (GI-0912)        

Additionally, if you participate in MainePERS’ defined benefit program, you may update your pension beneficiary at any time. This designation ensures your pension proceeds are paid to the beneficiary of your choosing upon your death should you pass prior to retirement. This designation is separate from the GLI beneficiary, so please be sure to complete both forms if you are enrolled in both benefits. Please see the link below:

Pension Beneficiary Designation for Pre-Retirement Death Benefits (CL-0722)

If you die without naming a beneficiary, or filing your designation, payment will be made in accordance with Maine law which provides a list of mandated beneficiaries in order of priority. The proceeds will pass first to your spouse. If you have no spouse or your spouse is also deceased, payment would be made to the duly appointed executor or conservator of your estate.  Second, payment will be made to your child or children or to their descendants. If there is no child or descendants of a child, payment will be made to your parent(s). Lastly, if none of the previous remain, payment would be made to your next of kin.

No. The group life insurance coverage offered by the MainePERS is term life insurance which has no cash surrender value.

If you are terminating employment for purposes other than retirement, you will be offered the opportunity to continue your coverage by converting to a whole life policy or port your coverage to another group plan with MainePERS’ insurance carrier. Conversion and portability are available to you for 31 days after your termination, after which your coverage ceases if you have not converted or ported your coverage.

If you are on an approved leave of absence or seasonal layoff, your coverage will remain in effect so long as your premiums are paid. Talk with your payroll personnel or contact the MainePERS Survivor Services Unit to find out what steps you need to take to continue your payments. Failure to keep your premiums current will result in the cancellation of your life insurance coverage.

For information on Group Life Insurance during retirement, watch our video in the “Thinking About Retiring?” section.

Eligibility for GLI and the resulting reduction schedule may be different for a Disability Retiree. In order to receive an answer applicable to your own circumstances, please contact MainePERS’ Survivor Services Unit to discuss Group Life Insurance as it pertains to disability retirement.

Your level of coverage will start at an amount equal to your average final compensation (AFC) at retirement and will reduce 15% per year on the anniversary of your retirement until it reaches 40% of the original value or $2,500, whichever is greater.

EXAMPLE: Three highest years Average (AFC) of $60,000, Retirement Date of July 1, 2024.