Member life insurance deadline approaches

Enrollment ends on Sept. 22 for Colonial Life’s term- and whole-life policies

By Michael Pramik, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

Sept. 10, 2026 – OPERS members have less than two weeks to apply for term- and whole-life policies this year through Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Co.

It’s the ninth-consecutive year that the insurer is offering the policies to active members, their spouses and children. 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, and this year’s open enrollment period ends 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.

Three Colonial Life digital postcards emailed to OPERS members in 2026 contain more information about virtual enrollment. The postcards include a link to schedule a session with a local benefits counselor and other information about life insurance coverage.

For more information, refer to this postcard.

You also can listen to a recorded webinar that provides additional details on the 2026 open enrollment period and the voluntary benefits that are available.