Helping to Protect Your Family And Secure Your Future

Transcription

1 GuiFinal 6/18/07 11:47 AM Page 1 Helping to Protect Your Family And Secure Your Future Group Universal Life Insurance Developed for the Employees of County of Fresno

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3 GuiFinal 6/18/07 11:47 AM Page 3 As long as you ve got your health... How many times have you heard that one? Well, there s a lot of truth in it. As long as you re physically healthy, you can work, play, take care of your family, and enjoy life. The same holds true of your fiscal health. For long-term financial well-being, you need to understand where you are, be aware of where you want to go, and have a plan to get you there. The foundation of any financial plan is the assurance that you have the momentum to keep moving forward, and the ability to handle problems that occur along the way. 1 No one wants to think about this, but... if something were to happen to you or your spouse, all your hard work and everything you have could be lost unless you take steps to protect yourself and your family. Having adequate insurance coverage is not only the basis for a sound financial blueprint; it also provides the protection you need to help ensure that your home, your family, and your finances will be protected if you or your spouse should die or become seriously ill.

4 GuiFinal 6/18/07 11:47 AM Page 4 WHO NEEDS GROUP UNIVERSAL LIFE INSURANCE? You do. Single or married. Buying your first home or preparing for retirement. Raising children or sending them off to college. No matter where you are in life, insurance should be part of any financial plan. But it s only part of the equation. To achieve your financial goals whether it s college for your children, a comfortable retirement or just a great vacation you need to save. Consistently and starting right now. 2 GROUP UNIVERSAL LIFE INSURANCE (GUL), offered through CIGNA, can help you protect what you have, and accumulate cash value for the future. With GUL, you can: obtain coverage for yourself and your Because your employer is making this plan available to you, you will benefit from: affordable group rates convenient payroll deductions access to knowledgeable service family representatives put money into a Cash Accumulation Fund, coverage you can take with you where it will earn tax-deferred interest By enrolling within 31 days of your eligibility date if you are a new employee, you can apply for specific amounts of GUL insurance without providing evidence of insurability.

5 GuiFinal 6/18/07 11:47 AM Page 5 GROUP UNIVERSAL LIFE With GUL, you have the opportunity to buy substantial amounts of life insurance and to participate in a Cash Accumulation Fund at the same time. GUL offers many advantages, including: Affordable Protection You can secure the life insurance protection you need at an attractive group rate. THE FLEXIBILITY YOU WANT THE PROTECTION YOU NEED The only thing about GUL that is set in stone is your family s need for life insurance protection. Everything else is designed according to your needs and wishes. You choose the amount of protection you need, up to the plan s maximum amount. You choose your coverage whether it s just for yourself, or for your spouse and dependent children as well. Cash Accumulation Your accumulated cash value grows faster because it earns a competitive rate of taxdeferred interest. GUL... IT S MADE TO ORDER FOR YOU Accessibility Convenience You can withdraw cash value or take low-interest loans. Automatic payroll deductions make it easy for you to provide insurance protection and accumulate cash value. You pay for your insurance protection through convenient payroll deductions. Your GUL coverage goes with you if you retire or change employers. You keep the coverage in force simply by paying CIGNA 3 Flexibility You can increase or decrease contribution amounts as your financial situation changes. Plus, if you have adequate cash value, you can stop making contributions directly and you can continue contributing to your Cash Accumulation Fund. You may pay higher group rates, but you will enjoy uninterrupted insurance protection. temporarily and continue to enjoy insurance protection. You can insure your eligible dependent children. Term insurance coverage for all your Portability This is a personal program that is yours to keep. Your coverage can be continued if you retire or change jobs. dependent children is available at a single, affordable premium. Later on, when they no longer qualify as dependents, your children can convert this coverage to their own GUL Accelerated Payment Benefit You have an Accelerated Payment Benefit that can pay you up to 50% of your coverage amount if you or your covered spouse becomes terminally ill. insurance plans without evidence of insurability. All you need to do is call the CIGNA Customer Service Center to receive the appropriate form, and have your child(ren) return the form within 90 days of their 19th birthday (or when they are no longer eligible).

6 GuiFinal 6/18/07 11:47 AM Page 6 GROUP UNIVERSAL LIFE INSURANCE It s a family matter. Coverage options for you and your family: COVERAGE FOR YOU COVERAGE FOR YOUR SPOUSE COVERAGE FOR YOUR CHILDREN 4 You are eligible for GUL insurance as long as you are a full-time or part-time employee of County of Fresno and you are actively at work at least 20 hours a week. Coverage amounts available: In $10,000 units, up to the plan maximum of $500,000 (maximum amounts not available in all states). Maximum amount of guaranteed insurance available within 31 days of your eligibility date, without evidence of insurability: Three times your base annual salary, rounded to the next higher $10,000, or $150,000, whichever is less. If you provide evidence of insurability, you can: Purchase over the guaranteed amount up to five times your base annual salary, rounded to the next higher $10,000, or $500,000, whichever is less. Increase your life insurance coverage at any time. Just call CIGNA s Customer Service Center at to request a change form. You can purchase coverage for your eligible spouse in the following amounts:* In $10,000 units, up to the maximum. Maximum amount of guaranteed insurance available for your spouse within 31 days of your eligibility date, or within 31 days of your marriage date, without evidence of insurability: $20,000. If your spouse provides evidence of insurability, you can purchase: Coverage up to three times your base annual salary, rounded to the next higher $10,000, or $100,000, whichever is less. To be eligible for coverage, your spouse must be under age 65. For coverage to become effective, your spouse must not be: hospitalized, confined at home under the care of a doctor, or unable to perform the normal daily activities of a person of the same age and sex. If you elect GUL for yourself or your spouse, you may also purchase term insurance for all your eligible, unmarried, dependent children who are at least 15 days old and less than 19 years old, or through age 24 if the child is a full-time, unmarried student, and primarily supported by the employee, or 19 years of age or older and primarily supported by the employee because of a mental or physical handicap.* For just one premium, you can cover all your dependent children for the following amount: You can obtain $10,000 of guaranteed term insurance coverage if you enroll your child(ren) within 31 days of your eligibility date or within 31 days of your child s birth or adoption. For your children s coverage to be effective, they must not be hospitalized, confined at home under the care of a doctor, or unable to perform the normal daily activities of a person of the same age and sex. The death benefit, or an increase in the death benefit, will be limited to a refund of premium if an insured commits suicide within the first two years of the effective date of the GUL coverage or within two years of the effective date of an increase in coverage. Even if eligible for both, no one can be covered as an employee and a dependent at the same time, or as the dependent of two employees. If you meet the eligibility requirements, your coverage will take effect on the later of the plan effective date, or the date the first payroll deduction is authorized. Provided your dependents application has been received, their coverage will take effect on the later of your coverage effective date or the date they become eligible. If you or your dependents apply for an amount of life insurance coverage greater than the guaranteed issue amount, or apply 31 days or more after becoming eligible, coverage will take effect on the date we agree in writing to cover you or your dependents. Employee or spouse coverage will end when you cancel the coverage, when the group policy is canceled, when the premiums are not paid, on the Certificate Maturity Date (which is the policy anniversary date that is the same as or next following the insured s 100th birthday), or when the insured dies, whichever occurs first. Dependent children coverage will end when your coverage ends (or when your spouse s coverage ends, if their coverage is on the spouse s certificate); when you cancel their coverage; when they are no longer eligible; or when the insured dies, whichever occurs first. *Please note that in certain states, restrictions may apply, and ages may vary.

7 GuiFinal 6/18/07 11:47 AM Page 7 GROUP UNIVERSAL LIFE INSURANCE BENEFITS KEEPING PACE WITH THE CHANGES IN YOUR LIFE How much life insurance do you need today? How much will you need in two years? Or five years? What if you can t afford to continue paying your premiums due to a terminal illness? What happens if you retire or change employers? At CIGNA, we ve thought about these questions, and have developed options that can help you maintain adequate insurance levels as your needs and your circumstances change. Automatic Increase Option Accelerated Payment Benefit Your initial purchase of life insurance is a step in the right direction. But it s only a first step if you re going to provide long-term security for your family. As your salary increases and your family grows, you should consider increasing your coverage accordingly. With the Automatic Increase Option, your GUL coverage will automatically be raised (not to exceed the plan maximum) on each plan anniversary date when salary increases qualify you for an additional coverage amount. With this option, you reduce your risk of becoming underinsured. Your payroll deduction amount will also be increased to cover the higher amount of protection. (If you don t want your coverage increased, you can decline this option.) Here s an example of how this feature works: Ted is 32 years old, makes $45,000 a year and has $130,000 of GUL coverage. He gets a salary increase of 3%. With the Automatic Increase Option, his insurance coverage would be increased to $133,900 ( rounded to the next higher $1,000 = $134,000). A terminal illness can pose a threat to your family s financial security. The Accelerated Payment Benefit can help prevent that illness from depleting your family s savings by allowing you access to your life insurance benefits while you re still living. If you or your covered spouse becomes terminally ill and isn t expected to live more than 12 months, you can receive up to 50% of your coverage amount tax free to help your family through this difficult time.* The money is paid out in a lump sum, directly to you, to use for whatever you wish. To qualify to receive this benefit, you must provide medical certification from two unaffiliated physicians that your life expectancy or that of your spouse is 12 months or less. CIGNA will send out your payment as soon as your request, medical certification, and supporting evidence are reviewed and approved. The following example illustrates how a 50% benefit would pay out on $100,000 of coverage: 5 Accordingly, his payroll deduction amount would be increased to $10.72 from $10.40 per month (multiplying the rate for his age $100,000 of GUL coverage $ 50,000 (50% tax-free, lump-sum payment) per $10,000 of insurance). $ 50,000 remaining death benefit amount *You may want to seek advice from your personal legal or tax advisor before exercising this option.

8 GuiFinal 6/18/07 11:47 AM Page 8 CASH ACCUMULATION FUND Tax-Deferred Accumulation The Safe, Easy Way to Build Cash Value For the Future Saving money isn t easy, but the secret to saving is simple. All you have to do is set aside a certain amount out of each paycheck before you receive it. Even a small amount set aside on a regular basis can add up to significant savings over time. And you can do it painlessly through convenient payroll deductions with your Group Universal Life Insurance Cash Accumulation Fund. Under current tax law, the competitive interest you earn on your Cash Accumulation Fund is income tax-deferred as long as it remains in your account. And that means your interest compounds faster because it won t be eroded by taxes each year. Easy Access to Your Money The money in your Cash Accumulation Fund is yours to use as financial needs arise. You 6 What are your goals? Money for retirement, cash for college, down payment on a home? Whatever they are, contributing to the Cash Accumulation Fund can help you reach them. The cash value you build will earn attractive, competitive interest that is income taxdeferred. The minimum rate will never be less than 4%. To build your cash value, simply determine how much extra you wish to contribute to the plan beyond the cost of insurance. Then, sit back and watch your money grow. It s that easy! can borrow against the money in your Cash Accumulation Fund or make an outright withdrawal (minimum loan or withdrawal amount is $250). When you do decide to withdraw your money, you ll only pay taxes if the withdrawal amount exceeds the amount of your total contributions (cost of insurance plus Cash Accumulation Fund contributions). If you want to make a withdrawal, call the CIGNA Customer Service Center and ask for the appropriate form. You will be charged a $25 transaction fee for each withdrawal. The following bar chart illustrates how your money can grow at a 5.5% interest rate and the guaranteed minimum interest rate of 4%. If you want to take out a loan, you can 1 0 Y E A R S $100/Mo.$50/Mo. $10/Mo. 4.00% annual interest rate 5.50% annual interest rate arrange your own repayment schedule with the CIGNA Customer Service Center. You ll be assessed 8% interest annually on the outstanding loan amount, but you will continue 2 0 Y E A R S $100/Mo.$50/Mo. $10/Mo. to be credited with 6% on the cash value you borrowed. You will not owe any income tax on your loan unless you cancel your coverage or your coverage lapses. 3 0 Y E A R S $100/Mo.$50/Mo. $10/Mo. 0 $20,000 $40,000 $60,000 $80,000 $100,000 This table assumes the nonguaranteed interest rate will continue unchanged for all years shown. The actual interest rate can move up or down quarterly. Actual results can be more or less favorable than shown.

9 GuiFinal 6/18/07 11:47 AM Page 9 Adapt Payments to Changing Needs DESIGNATING YOUR BENEFICIARIES With GUL, you control how much money you put into your plan. As your needs or finances change, you can easily increase or decrease your contributions. For example: Life insurance is designed to provide a benefit for those who depend on you, so be sure your death benefit is designated to the people you want to protect. If you don t designate a If you get a raise, you can put more money into your Cash Accumulation Fund. Note that each contribution to the Cash Accumulation Fund is subject to a one-time charge of 2% to cover administrative fees and premium tax. specific beneficiary, your GUL death benefit and any cash value you have will automatically be paid to the first beneficiary listed below who is living at the time of your death: (1) your spouse; (2) your child(ren); (3) your parents; (4) your siblings; or (5) your estate. If your expenses increase, you can reduce your contributions to the Cash Accumulation Fund, or stop them completely. If you have accumulated enough cash value to cover your monthly cost of insurance and administrative charges, these costs will be temporarily deducted from your Cash Accumulation Fund until you can resume If you wish to designate different beneficiaries, you may do so on your application. If the listed beneficiary is a trust or a trustee, the trust document must be presented in order for the claim to be processed. DESIGNING YOUR GROUP UNIVERSAL LIFE PLAN 7 payments through payroll deduction. With GUL, it s easy to tailor a plan that meets Choices at Retirement and Beyond your needs. To design your own plan, use the rate chart and calculation instructions included GUL gives you the flexibility to keep your life on the following page. insurance coverage even after you retire. Coverage may be maintained either by continuing to pay premiums directly to CIGNA or by having your premiums paid out of the When designing your plan, keep in mind that you can adjust coverage amounts as your need for insurance changes. Cash Accumulation Fund, if your balance is adequate.

10 GuiFinal 6/18/07 11:47 AM Page 10 MONTHLY COST OF INSURANCE Use these rates to determine the monthly cost of life insurance coverage only. To determine the cost of coverage, find your age or your spouse s age in the left column on the Monthly Cost of Insurance chart below, and read across to find the monthly cost of insurance for each $10,000 of coverage. These rates do not reflect any money going into the Cash Accumulation Fund. Insurance costs include a 2% charge to cover administrative fees and premium tax. Rates are subject to change but will not exceed the guaranteed maximum cost of insurance shown in your certificate. If you terminate active employment, higher rates will apply. Monthly Cost of Insurance Dependent Child Coverage Rate Age of Employee or Spouse* Monthly Cost of Insurance (Rates per $10,000) $10,000 of coverage for all your dependent children for $2 per month Employee Spouse 8 Under $ *Your age for calculating monthly premium will be updated on each plan anniversary date, January 1. Rates for ages 70 and over are available by calling the CIGNA Customer Service Center at Cash Accumulation Fund $ Contributions to the Cash Accumulation Fund are optional and determined by you. Maximums are based on Internal Revenue Code (IRC) limits and are subject to a 2% charge to cover administrative fees and premium tax. Since contributions are subject to very specific IRC guidelines, dependent upon your age, cost of insurance, and effective date of your certificate, it is recommended that you contact the CIGNA Customer Service Center, where a Service Representative will calculate the maximum contribution amount for you. Call , Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Eastern Time. You must enroll for life insurance to contribute to the Cash Accumulation Fund. How to Calculate Your Payroll Deduction for Group Universal Life Insurance Your You Spouse 1. Show the amount of insurance desired (units of $10,000 up to a maximum of 5 times your base annual salary, rounded to the next higher $10,000 and spouse coverage $ in $10,000 units). = 2. Divide the insurance amount you selected by $10,000 to determine how many units of insurance you ll purchase. 3. Next, use the rate chart on this page to determine your Monthly Cost of Insurance. Find your age and your spouse s age, and enter the appropriate rate per $10,000 shown on the rate chart. 4. Multiply by the number of units of insurance from Step 2. Monthly Cost of Insurance Contribution to the Cash Accumulation Fund, if elected. Dependent child(ren) coverage. Add to your or your spouse s monthly contribution, if elected. + rate per $10,000 Monthly Cost of Insurance Determine your total monthly deduction by adding the following: = = = units + + units rate per $10,000 Monthly Cost of Insurance (Step 4) (Step 4) + $ Total Monthly Deduction for GUL =

11 GuiFinal 6/18/07 11:47 AM Page 11 SIGN UP NOW... IT S EASY! You can enroll in Group Universal Life Insurance by completing and signing the application form included in this kit and returning it in the envelope provided to County of Fresno Benefits Department. Note: You must enroll for GUL coverage within 31 days of your eligibility date to receive guaranteed amounts of coverage. After this period, you can enroll in GUL at any time, with evidence of insurability. If you have any questions about enrolling, please call the CIGNA Customer Service Center at ( for the hearing impaired). Our knowledgeable service representatives are available to answer all your questions, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Eastern Time. After your coverage becomes effective, you can call the CIGNA Customer Service Center with any questions about your coverage or to make changes to your coverage or your contributions.

12 GuiFinal 6/18/07 11:47 AM Page 12 The coverage outlined in this brochure may vary by state. CIGNA Group Insurance products and services are provided by underwriting subsidiaries of CIGNA Corporation, including Connecticut General Life Insurance Company and Life Insurance Company of North America. The term CIGNA is used to refer to these subsidiaries and is a registered trademark. CIGNA companies are leading providers of insurance, employee benefits, health care, investment management, and financial services to businesses and individuals worldwide. This information is a brief description of the principal provisions of the insurance coverage. It is not a contract. Complete terms and conditions of coverage are set forth in Group Policy No. EUL on Policy Form No. TL for Group Universal Life. The group policies are subject to the laws of the state in which they are issued. Group Universal Life is underwritten by Life Insurance Company of North America. Group Insurance Life Accident Disability Two Liberty Place 1601 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA County of Fresno Kit # (05/07) AR# (05/07)