Insurance Plans: Life Insurance
Policies and Procedures Manual Section 14
Western Michigan University's life insurance policies and procedure are located at Insurance Plans, Employee Handbook Section 12. Also see Life Insurance.
Life insurance continuation
Life insurance may be continued under a number of circumstances. Please review the summaries below and contact Human Resources with specific questions.
- Continuation during approved paid leave of absence. Coverage and premiums continue without interruption.
- Continuation during approved non-paid leave of absence. Life insurance may be continued at the employee's expense, at the University's group rates, until the employee returns to active payroll, or until his/her employment at WMU is terminated.
If an employee on an approved leave of absence returns to active payroll following the leave of absence, all group insurance, including life insurance, may be reinstated. - Continuation during workers' compensation leave of absence. See Employee Safety, Policies and Procedures Manual Section 12.
- Continuation during family and medical leave of absence. See Leaves and Absences from Work: Family and Medical Leave of Absence, Policies and Procedures Manual Section 13 .
- Continuation during layoff. See Reduction in Force: Benefits, Policies and Procedures Manual Section 11.
- Continuation during an unpaid disciplinary suspension. Life insurance may be continued at the employee's expense, at the University's group rates, until the employee returns to active payroll, or until his/her employment at WMU is terminated.
- Continuation after termination. If the employee wishes to maintain the policy after termination, the employee may elect to convert his/her group life insurance to individual policies through the University's life insurance carrier (see following provision).
Conversion of group life insurance to individual policies
Policy is located in the Insurance Plans, Employee Handbook Section 12.
Procedure
If an event occurs that makes an employee eligible to convert his/her group life insurance to individual policies, the employee should contact Human Resources to obtain the appropriate forms and instructions. Employees have 31 days from the date of the event to submit the appropriate forms and initial premium.