Life insurance available to members
Colonial Life to offer policies, with enrollment beginning in July
By Michael Pramik, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System
June 18, 2025 – 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 eighth consecutive year in 2025.
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. The open-enrollment period for the coverage will take place July 1-Sept. 22.
OPERS members can obtain a policy only by speaking with a Colonial Life benefits counselor through a virtual enrollment option. Virtual enrollment allows members the flexibility of connecting with their benefits 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 2025 contain more information about virtual enrollment. The postcards also contain links to videos explaining the coverage options and details on how to connect with a Colonial Life benefits counselor.
For more information, refer to the first postcard.
You also can listen to a recorded webinar that provides additional details on the 2025 open enrollment period and the voluntary benefits that are available
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.