The State of Iowa's life insurance plan provides your family financial protection in the case of your death. If you are a full-time benefit-eligible employee, the life insurance plan provides you with a basic term life insurance benefit at no cost to you. In addition, you have an opportunity to purchase additional (supplemental) life insurance coverage at very economical group rates through payroll deduction.
- Members of the General Assembly and part-time employees of the General Assembly, contact your human resources associate for life insurance information.
- Life insurance coverage is not available for Regents employees.
Life Insurance Provider
Life insurance is provided by The Standard Insurance Company.
The State of Iowa Group Policy number is 754414.
Life Insurance Resources
- The Standard Group Life Insurance Certificate
- Employee Benefits Guide Booklet
- Employee Benefits Guide Booklet for Part-Time General Assembly Members
- Benefit Guide: FMLA and Extended Illness, Long Term Disability and Death
- In Your Time of Need - A Benefit Guide for Families of Deceased State of Iowa Employees
Life Insurance Premiums
- 2025 Life Insurance Premiums (except for SPOC-covered employees)
- 2025 Life Insurance Premiums for SPOC-covered employees
Life Insurance Form
- Life Insurance Claim Application (to be completed by agency)
- Beneficiary Statement (method of benefit payment)
Eligibility
You are eligible for the state's life insurance coverage if you are a probationary or permanent employee who works 30 hours or more per week.
Coverage for a new employee is effective the first day of the calendar month following the completion of one month of continuous service in an eligible class.
Effective Date of Insurance Coverage
Basic life insurance coverage for a new employee is effective the first day of the calendar month following the completion of one month of continuous service in an eligible class. Coverage is effective as long as you remain in an eligible class as defined in the group policy.
Basic Life Insurance
The State pays 100% of the premium for basic life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance. The amount of coverage is:
| Eligible Employees | Basic Life Insurance* |
|---|---|
| All employees except SPOC-covered | $20,000 |
| SPOC-covered employees | $50,000 |
* Age reductions apply beginning at age 65.
If you wish to decline Basic life coverage, which includes Long Term Disability and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, you will need to submit the Waiver of Life and Long Term Disability Insurance form.
Supplemental Life Insurance Coverage
In addition to the basic life insurance coverage, you have an opportunity to elect supplemental term life insurance at affordable group rates. The maximum amount of supplemental term life insurance that you may purchase depends upon your bargaining status.
| Eligible Employees | Minimum Available* | Maximum Available* |
|---|---|---|
| All employees except SPOC-covered | $5,000 | $100,000 |
| SPOC-covered employees | $100,000 | $1,000,000 |
* Age reductions apply beginning at age 65.
The Guarantee issue amount of supplemental life insurance plans for all employees, including SPOC covered employees, is $100,000. Guarantee issue amount means that Evidence of Insurability (EOI) is not required if the election amount is made timely when first eligible. SPOC covered employees whose election is in excess of $100,000 will be required to complete EOI at the time of the election.
Life Insurance Premiums
You are responsible for 100% of the cost of supplemental term life insurance. Supplemental life insurance premiums are based on your age and the amount of coverage you elect. You can pay the premium on a pretax or post-tax basis.
Enrollment
You are automatically enrolled for basic life insurance coverage. Coverage is effective the first of the month after one month of employment.
You enroll in supplemental life insurance in Workday. If you enroll in supplemental life insurance within the first 30 days of eligibility for life insurance coverage, you do not have to undergo medical underwriting. When you enroll in supplemental life insurance, your coverage election remains in effect to the end of the calendar year and you cannot change (increase or decrease) your life coverage until the next enrollment and change period unless you experience a qualified life event and the benefit change you requests is consistent with the event.
If you do not enroll for supplemental life insurance within 30 days of eligibility, you will not be able to enroll for supplemental life insurance coverage until the annual enrollment and change period unless you have a qualified life event during the plan year. In either event, you will be required to provide evidence of insurability to The Standard for their review and approval. Coverage will become effective following The Standard's approval.
For additional information on qualified life events, review the Qualified Life Events site.
Increasing Supplemental Life Insurance
You can only add coverage if:
- You have a qualified life event or
- During an annual enrollment and change period
Any increase in coverage after your first 30 days of employment requires that you provide evidence of insurability. Any increase in your supplemental life insurance coverage must also be approved by The Standard before it can take effect.
NOTE: Evidence of insurability (EOI) must be on file with the Standard no later than 30 days from your qualified life event or 60 days from the last day of open enrollment. If the EOI is not on file within that timeframe, your request for additional supplemental life insurance will be declined.
You will need to provide Evidence of Insurability (EOI) to The Standard Insurance Company (The Standard), by completing a Medical History Statement (MHS). You can also find the link for EOI within your Workday benefit card for supplemental life insurance.
A separate window will open on the Standard’s webpage. Once you have completed the Medical History Statement (MHS), The Standard may follow up with additional questions that will be mailed to your home address. Please note, coverage will not become effective until you receive an approval from The Standard and your coverage has been approved in Workday. If EOI is not on file with The Standard within 30 days from your qualified life event or 60 days from the last day of Open Enrollment, your request for additional Supplemental Life insurance will be cancelled.
Decreasing Supplemental Life Insurance or Canceling Life Insurance
You can only decrease your supplemental life insurance coverage or completely cancel life insurance:
- If you have a qualified life event or
- During the annual enrollment and change period
If you decrease your coverage, and later decide to increase your coverage, you will only be able to increase your coverage during the annual enrollment and change period unless you have a qualified life event. You will have to provide evidence of insurability to The Standard, and The Standard have to approve the increased coverage before it can become effective.
Accelerated Death Benefit
If you are diagnosed with a terminal illness and your life expectancy is twelve (12) months or less, you may be able to have up to 80% of your life insurance benefits paid to you while you are still living. Proceeds can be paid in a lump sum or in monthly installments. More information about the accelerated death benefit is available at the State of Iowa Group Life Insurance Certificate of Coverage.
Additional Services Provided by The Standard
The State’s life and long term disability insurance from The Standard includes additional services at no cost to you. These additional services can provide valuable services to you and your family when you need them most.
Travel Assistance is available when you travel more than 100 miles from home or internationally. It offers aid before and during your trip.
Life Services Toolkit offers estate planning assistance, financial planning services, health and wellness articles, identity protection, and assistance with funeral arrangements. Also included are services for your beneficiary.
More Information
For more information about your coverage, please see the State of Iowa Group Life Insurance book or contact your Human Resources Associate.
The Department of Administrative Services – Human Resources Enterprise is providing this information about the State of Iowa’s benefits. The information on this web page is subject to change. Nothing herein shall be construed as a guarantee of benefits. This webpage is not a complete description of the State of Iowa’s benefit plans. Nothing on this web page supersedes or changes any of the terms and conditions of any plan documents, insurance policies, or other legal agreements. If the wording in this web page contradicts any plan documents, laws, regulations, administrative rules, insurance policies, or other legal agreements, the wording in the official documents and agreements will govern.