Life insurance available to members
Colonial Life to offer policies, with enrollment starting in July
By Michael Pramik, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System
June 13, 2024 – 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 seventh consecutive year in 2024.
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.
This year’s open enrollment period will be July 1-Sept. 23.
OPERS members can enroll in a policy only through a session with a Colonial Life licensed benefits counselor – either through a virtual meeting or over the phone. The virtual enrollment option allows members the flexibility of connecting with their benefit counselor via conference call, video chat or screen-share, with one click of a link.
Three Colonial Life digital postcards scheduled to be emailed to OPERS members in 2024 contain more information about virtual enrollment. The policies will be guaranteed issue, within certain limits, during this year’s open-enrollment period.
For more information, refer to the first of three planned digital postcards. You also can listen to a recorded webinar that provides additional details on the 2024 open enrollment period and the voluntary benefits that are available.
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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.
I am an OPERS retiree interested on applying for life insurance. I called over 5 days ago and left my contact information. No one has called me back. This is very poor customer service from Colonial Life.
I tried to book an appointment with a benefits specialist, but all of the appointment times were full. Will there be any other appointments available?
There are appointments available for Colonial Life and you can schedule by going to https://learn.coloniallife.com/opers/p/1 and then click on the Schedule Your Session button.
Thanks,
OPERS