Beneficiary FAQ

Why did I receive a letter?

We want to ensure that our employees have the most recent beneficiary on file so that your life insurance benefits go to the beneficiary of your choice. For example, if you have a former spouse listed as your beneficiary, that former spouse would receive the proceeds of your life insurance benefit should something happen to you.

Additionally, our Human Resources Information system was recently updated, resulting in changes on how we track the life insurance benefit. Any life insurance beneficiary(ies) listed must:

• Be a whole number between 1 and 100;
• Add up to exactly 100 for primary beneficiary(ies); and
• Add up to exactly 100 for contingent beneficiary(ies).

We sent letters to employees who either did not have their primary and/or contingent beneficiary(ies) totaling 100 or did not have any primary and/or contingent listed at all. Correctly listing this information will ensure that your life insurance benefit can be distributed correctly.

What is a Contingent beneficiary?

A contingent beneficiary is a person or entity (such as a charity) that you designate to receive proceeds from your life insurance upon your death if the primary beneficiary has died before you. A contingent beneficiary can also come into play if the primary beneficiary can't be located or refuses to accept the asset.

What if I don't want to list a contingent beneficiary?

You are encouraged to designate at least one contingent beneficiary. You can name any person (not just a relative) a charity, or estate, however, the estate option is not the best option. Money in your estate may be held up in probate resulting in a delay in the funds being disbursed.

I want to make changes. Where do I get my username/password?

Your username and password are used to log into the Life/Beneficiary Electronic Enrollment Form.

Log in instructions:

1. Find where you enter in your User Name and Password
2. Click Log In if you’ve been to this site at any time since April 2017. If you don’t remember your log in information, choose “forgot user name” or “forgot password.” - OR -  Click Register if you haven’t been to this site since April 2017.
3. Select Life/Beneficiary Enrollment
4. Click “Next” until you reach the Designation of Primary Beneficiary(ies) page and review your primary beneficiary(ies) information.
5. Then, click “Next” for the Designation of Contingent Beneficiary(ies) page and review your contingent beneficiary(ies) information.
6. Click “Submit” to finalize and review your elections.

Reminder: This is the same website used for Annual Enrollment, so make sure to keep track of your user name and password!

Can I make changes over the phone?

No, unfortunately you will need to update your beneficiary(ies) electronically.

Can the Benefits Program send me a paper form?

No, paper forms are not available; any updates must be made electronically.

I don't have access to a computer/I'm not comfortable using a computer.

Please visit with your Human Resources Specialist or supervisor so they can assist you with the process.

What happens if I don't do anything?

If you do not have a primary and/or contingent beneficiary(ies) totaling 100, you will receive a second letter notifying you of designation changes the Benefits Program will adjust for you. For example, if you have three beneficiaries listed at 1/3 share each, the Benefits Program will change your first listed beneficiary to 34, the next beneficiary to 33, and the other beneficiary to 33.

If you do not designate a primary beneficiary, your life insurance proceeds may be held up in probate, resulting in a delay of funds disbursement.