Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance
Basic Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage Provided by the University
Symetra Life and LTD Information
As you are aware, the University funds life insurance coverage at 1.5 times base salary for all full-time, regular employee as well as LTD coverage. Symetra will now be the carrier of that coverage.
The University provides all eligible employees with basic life insurance at no cost to the employee. The basic life coverage level is 1.5 times the covered employee's annual base salary with a maximum benefit of $400,000. This coverage reduces by 50% at age 70.
Also, for eligible, active employees, a death benefit of the payment of all unused, accrued sick leave is paid to the employee's beneficiary by the University.
Long term disability (LTD) coverage provides benefits after a 90-day period of disability. The monthly benefit is 60% of the covered employee’s monthly base salary not to exceed $10,000 per month. Coverage generally continues until age 65-70, depending on the age of the employee when LTD benefits begin. This benefit is offset by social security disability benefits and Teachers’ Retirement System benefits, if applicable. The cost of this benefit is paid in full by the University for eligible employees. LTD FAQs.
Initial enrollment for these coverages is conducted during new-hire orientation. To file a claim for life or long-term disability insurance benefits, the beneficiary or employee should contact the Office of Human Resources at 256.765.4650.
Once an individual has been approved for long-term disability benefits, Symetra provides a "Health Champion" service to assist the covered individual with navigating the process and benefits. An additional resource for employees and their beneficiaries is Symetra's "Beneficiary Companion" service. This service offers guidance to assist with paperwork, common notifications, and other time-consuming details associated with the loss of a loved one.
Voluntary, Supplemental Life Coverage (Employee Paid)
UNA offers voluntary life insurance options through Symetra for employees wishing to purchase supplemental coverage in addition to the Life Insurance provided by the University. You may elect or make changes to your supplemental life insurance coverage during the new hire process, during open enrollment or if an employee experiences a qualifying life event (QLE). You have 30 days from a QLE to make a change.
Please review the Symetra Supplemental Life Insurance Brochure for additional information. Below is a summary of the amounts that can be elected as a new hire.
Rates will increase in five-year age bands.
| Participants | Maximum Guaranteed Coverage (no EOI)* | Maximum Coverage (with EOI) |
| Eligible Employees | $200,000 | $500,000 |
| Eligible Spouse** | $100,000 | Lesser of $250,000 or 100% of supplemental employee coverage |
| Eligible Dependent Child(ren)** | $10,000 | -- |
*The guaranteed issue amounts are for employees who elect the coverage within 90 days of their hire date.
**Employee must elect minimum level of coverage to cover spouse and/or dependents.
During open enrollment and QLE periods, employees can make changes to their coverage. During this period, the evidence of insurability (EOI) requirement is waived for benefit increases listed below. An EOI will be required for increases outside of the limits listed below.
For newly enrolled and currently enrolled:
Employees: up to 5 increments of $10,000
Spouses: up to 5 increments of $1,000
Life Insurance Provided by the Teachers' Retirement Systems of Alabama (TRS)
As a member of the Teachers' Retirement System of Alabama, eligible employees also have death benefits available through TRS. For details of these benefits, refer to page 16 of the TRS Member Handbook.