Benefits for AFGE Members

When you join the union, you have access to these AFGE benefits. These benefits are backed by the collective strength of over 10-million members of AFL-CIO unions. By using one or two of the programs, many members save as much as their annual dues.

These Money-Saving Benefits are Available Only to AFGE Members:

Term Life Insurance

Union Plus Term Life Insurance is designed for AFGE members and their families.

The Union Plus Term Life Insurance product offers rates in 5-year age bands. Rates are based on your age when you purchase the policy and increase upon entry to a new 5-year age band as shown on the chart below.

Term Life Insurance benefits.

• Term life insurance with benefit amounts of $25,000 to $250,000 available.
• Benefit amount remains level - it does not reduce with age.
• Living benefit if diagnosed with terminal illness - payout is up to 75% of the life insurance benefit. This payment does reduce death benefit, and the remainder benefit amount is paid at time of death. Receipt of these benefits may be taxable, please consult with a personal tax advisor.
• Premiums are waived when insured is terminally ill.
• Coverage until age 70 without re-application or underwriting.
• Conversion to senior life coverage without underwriting at age 70.
• RIF waiver -- program pays the premium for up to 3 months if the member is involved in a lock-out or layoff lasting 30 days or more.
• Pays in addition to any other benefits you may have.
• Spouses/domestic partners are also eligible to apply.

Why should I choose the Union Plus Term Life Insurance?

This Term Life Insurance program is best for union members who want to know what their insurance premiums will be until age 70 and want to maintain coverage over time. For example, a union member, age 40, who has a family health history of heart disease, may want to lock into the Union Plus Term Life Insurance rates while she's younger so she doesn't have to worry about her ability to qualify for life insurance as she gets older. She can take comfort in knowing she'll have insurance coverage as long as she pays the premium and she'll know exactly what she'll pay as she gets older.

Who is eligible?

• Members and spouses or domestic partners ages 18 to 64.
• Spouse or domestic partner can purchase coverage separately.
• Available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia - not available in Canada or U.S. territories.

Is a medical exam needed?

A medical exam is not needed for coverage up to and including $100,000. Applications for amounts of more than $100,000 will require a medical exam at no cost to the member. Insureds can convert to Senior Life Insurance coverage without underwriting at age 70.

Program features.

• Members not accepted for health reasons will be offered accidental death insurance for the requested life insurance amount.

Frequently Asked Questions

COVERAGE AND DEPENDENT QUESTIONS

Q. Are there any age requirements?

A. Yes, you must be aged 18-64 to qualify.

Q. Is a medical exam necessary?

A. A medical exam is not needed for coverage up to and including $100,000. Applications for amounts of more than $100,000 will require a medical exam at no cost to the member.

Q. What if I get turned down for coverage?

A. Members not accepted for health reasons will be offered accidental death insurance for the requested life insurance amount.

Q. If I purchase a policy and I develop health problems in the future, can my insurance be terminated?

A. If you purchase a policy now and in the future develop health problems, you cannot be terminated from the program as long as you pay your premiums.

Q. For what reasons could my insurance be terminated?

A. Your insurance would be terminated if:
- you stop paying your premium
- you reach age 70 (at this point you can convert to Senior Life Insurance)
- you leave the union for any reason other than retirement
- the master policy is no longer in effect

Q. What is the Living Benefit?

A. If you are diagnosed with a terminal illness, you may receive up to 75% of your selected death benefit. The remaining amount is paid at time of death. Receipt of these benefits may be taxable, please consult with a personal tax advisor.

Q. What benefits does this plan provide?

A. Union Plus Term Life Insurance offers benefit amounts of $25,000 to $250,000. You choose the amount of coverage that's right for you.

Q. Are there restrictions on how my beneficiary can use the benefit money?

A. No, the money can be used at his/her discretion.

Q. What is the maximum benefit amount my beneficiary can receive?

A. Your beneficiary can receive up to $250,000 in benefits.

Q. Is coverage available for my spouse or domestic partner?

A. Yes, your spouse or domestic partner can apply - even if you do not.

Q. Does my spouse or domestic partner have to purchase the same benefit as me, the union member?

A. Spouses (or domestic partners) may choose a different level amount.

Q. Can I get coverage for the rest of my family (besides my spouse/domestic partner)?

A. Coverage can be purchased for children as an add-on to a member or spouse policy.

Q. When does coverage become effective?

A. Coverage becomes effective on the first day of the month after your application is approved and the premium is paid.

Q. If I (the insured member) die, can my spouse or domestic partner continue coverage?

A. Yes, spouses (or domestic partners) can continue coverage if they are insured with their own policy prior to the member's death.

Q. What happens at age 70 when the policy terminates?

A. At age 70, you can easily convert to senior life coverage with no underwriting or re-application.

Q. What if death occurs due to sickness or accident?

A. The policy pays for death due to sickness or accident. Please see below for exclusions and limitations.

Q. What does the Layoff Waiver of Premium mean?

A. If an insured experiences an involuntary layoff, the insured doesn't have to pay premiums for up to 3 months on this coverage. May not be available in all states or in all unions.

Q. What is the process for getting the premium waived?

A. The insured must provide written proof of layoff before the waiver of premium begins. It can be a note from the union or a note from the insured with a newspaper article verifying the sanctioned or forced work stoppage.

EXCLUSION QUESTIONS

Q. Are there any exclusions to the policy coverage?

A. If a person commits suicide:
a. while sane or insane
b. during his or her first two years of coverage under the policy. We will only pay an amount equal to the premium paid for coverage to the date of death.

Q. Are pre-existing conditions covered?

A. None, once you are approved for coverage, there are no exclusions for pre-existing conditions.

Q. Does a union member who leaves the union lose his/her coverage?

A. If your union notifies Union Plus in writing that you have left the union for any reason other than retirement, coverage will be terminated.

RATE QUESTIONS

Q. Can I be singled out for a rate increase?

A. No, rates are based on your age when you purchase the policy. Rates increase upon entry to a new, predetermined 5-year age band.

Q. Do benefit amounts decrease as I get older?

A. No, benefit amounts will remain the same as long as your policy is in force.

Q. Can the coverage be paid by credit card?

A. Yes, members who apply will have various payment options when they receive their policy.

Q. Is automatic checking account deduction available?

A. Yes.

This Web site explains the general purpose of the insurance described but in no way changes or affects the Union Plus Term Life master policy AGL-1660 as actually issued. In the event of a discrepancy between information on this Web site and the policy, the terms of the policy apply. All benefits are subject to the terms and conditions of the policy. Policies underwritten by Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company detail exclusions, limitations, reduction of benefits and terms under which the policies may be continued in full or discontinued. Complete details are in the Certificate of Insurance issued to each insured individual and the Master Policy issued to the policyholder. This program may vary and may not be available to residents of all states.

Available outside the US?

Answer: No. AFGE continues its effort to expand this and other benefit programs to all members regardless of where they reside.

_{updated 4/9/10}

Access: This benefit is only available to members of AFGE. If you are a member of AFGE, please login to the Members Only section. If you are not a member, but would like to find out how to become one, please visit the Join AFGE section.

Do you see a mistake or inaccuracy in this page? Please report it.