Life insurance available to members

Colonial Life to offer policies, with enrollment starting in June

By Michael Pramik, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

May 18, 2021 – The Ohio Public Employees Retirement System has announced that the Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Co. will offer term life and whole life policies to OPERS members for the fourth consecutive year during an open enrollment period this year.

The policies will be available to active members, their spouses and children, and may be extended to grandchildren. The voluntary insurance would be in addition to life insurance that members’ employers might offer, and OPERS members would bear the cost.

The policies will be guaranteed issue, within certain limits, during this year’s open enrollment period which will be June 1-Sept. 30.

OPERS members can enroll in a policy by speaking with a local Colonial Life benefits counselor, by appointment, using a virtual enrollment option. It allows members the flexibility of connecting with their benefit counselor via conference call, video chat or screen-share, with one click of a link. Enrollment also can be conducted over the phone with a representative at Colonial Life’s home office.

The first of three Colonial Life digital postcards scheduled to be emailed to OPERS members in 2021 contains more information about virtual enrollment. It also contains links to videos explaining the coverage options and details on how to connect with a benefit counselor.

Michael Pramik

Michael Pramik is communication strategist for the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System and editor of the PERSpective blog. As an experienced business journalist, he clarifies complex pension policies and helps members make smart choices to secure their retirement.