Life & Disability

Basic life insurance 

BGSU offers basic life insurance coverage, including an accidental death and dismemberment benefit, to all full-time faculty, administrative and classified staff at no cost. In addition, eligible employees may purchase optional life insurance based on the plan criteria. Basic life insurance and any elected optional life insurance (up to a specified level) are effective the first of the month following date of eligibility.  

Should you elect a level of life insurance that requires review by Securian Financial for their consideration, the required forms must be completed and submitted to the Office of Human Resources by the corresponding deadline. This will be noted along with a link to the appropriate form within the enrollment system at the time your election is made. If the increased level of optional life insurance is approved by Securian Financial, the corresponding employee contributions will be increased at that time. 

Under IRS guidelines, the value of employer-paid-group life insurance coverage over $50,000 is considered imputed income and is considered a taxable amount. This will be reported in Box 12 of your W-2 form. The tax you owe is based on IRS age-based rates, which increase in five-year increments as you age, calculated using your age as of December 31 each year. 

Please review the specific details regarding all available options, effective dates, coverage levels and more in the Securian Financial microsite and/or the Life Insurance Certificate Booklet provided. 

Life Insurance Continuation Coverage at Termination

You have the right to choose continuation coverage from Securian Financial for your life insurance. If you would like to elect to continue your life insurance coverage, elections must be made within 30 days of your loss of coverage date. You can obtain more information by contacting Securian Financial by calling 1-866-365-2374. 

Life Insurance Plan Summary

Long-Term Disability 

If you become disabled due to an accident, injury or illness, long-term disability insurance can pay a percentage of your salary up to a monthly maximum while you are disabled and cannot work. The salary used to determine this benefit is set as of September 1 of the prior calendar year. 

This program is provided to all full-time administrative staff and faculty at no cost. A similar plan is offered to full-time classified staff on a voluntary basis, with the premium being determined by the insurance carrier based on salary and age. 

This benefit plan has a waiting period of one year of continuous active employment and requires that the employee be employed in a full-time position. 

The elimination period defines the time prior to when benefits begin and is the later of 

• 180 days or 
• The date your accumulated sick leave payments end (if applicable) 

For classified employees, if you did not elect this option at the time you first become eligible, you may apply for the coverage during an upcoming Open Enrollment period or at the time of a qualifying Life Event. However, in order to be considered by Unum, you will need to submit a completed Evidence of Insurability form. This form must be completed online and submitted directly to UNUM by the corresponding deadline for the Open Enrollment or Life Event period.