Life Insurance Plans
Optional Life Insurance
All full-time employees receive Board-paid life insurance, which is one time their annual benefits salary rounded up to the next $1,000 (DCSMEC, Administrators, and Confidential Exempt employees receive two times their annual benefits salary).
As a new hire, you may purchase optional life insurance, not to exceed three times your annual base salary, on a guaranteed basis. You will be eligible to increase your coverage to a maximum of five times the annual base salary after the first year of participation in the optional life program. Evidence of Insurability will be required for any increases in coverage. These additional life insurance premiums are paid through payroll deductions.
Spouse/Domestic Partner & Child Life Insurance
You may purchase term life insurance for one or more dependent children in the amount of $5,000 or $10,000. You pay one rate regardless of the number of eligible dependent children covered. An eligible dependent is your own unmarried child, adopted child, foster child, any child for whom you have been appointed legal guardian, or stepchildren, if they are dependent upon you for support. An eligible dependent child is covered to the end of the calendar year in which they reach age 26.
The rates for legal spouse/domestic partner and children are age banded and determined by the employee’s age, not the age of the dependent. In accordance with Florida Statutes, group life insurance for either your legal spouse/domestic partner or children cannot exceed 50% of the amount of your School Board basic and optional life insurance combined. These additional life insurance premiums are paid through payroll deductions.
When you enroll your dependents during your initial enrollment period as a new hire, coverage is guaranteed issue, which means there are no health questions to answer. You may add this coverage during the calendar year without evidence of insurability if you experience a change in status (i.e., marriage, birth and adoption). The Standard reserves the right to request evidence of insurability, and a physical exam may be required for any eligible legal spouse/domestic partner not enrolled during this initial period other than during a change in status. Evidence of insurability is never required to enroll children.
Group Dependent Term Life Insurance FAQ
The Group Dependent Life Insurance program is available to full-time M-DCPS employees on a voluntary basis. This coverage provides valuable benefits during difficult limes. Simply choose the amount of coverage that suits your needs and indicate your choices during your enrollment. There is no need for medical evidence of insurability if you sign up during the initial enrollment period. Premiums for dependent coverage are determined by the employee’s age as of January 1st of each year. If it is determined that an enrolled dependent is ineligible, no proceeds will be paid upon death. We reserve the right to request documentation or other evidence to support the eligibility of an enrolled dependent.
Is this a Board paid benefit?
No. Premiums will be paid through payroll deduction. See rate sheet for cost per pay periods.
When does coverage begin?
Coverage for your eligible dependents will begin the date you apply, if you apply within 31 days of becoming eligible. If you apply during the Annual Open Enrollment, coverage for your eligible dependents will begin at the beginning of the next plan year.
When does coverage terminate?
- Five months after you die. (No premium will be charged for your Dependent Life Insurance for your Spouse during this time.)
- The date your Life Insurance ends.
- The date Dependent Life Insurance for your Spouse terminates under the Group Policy, unless your Insurance continues under item 1 above.
- The date the Group Policy terminates, or the date Employer’s coverage under the Group Policy for your Spouse terminates, unless Insurance continues under item 1 above.
- The date the last period ends for which a premium was paid for your Dependent Life Insurance for your Spouse, unless it continues under item 1 above.
- The last day for which premium contributions have been paid following your Written request to terminate your Dependent Life Insurance for your Spouse.
- For your Spouse, the date of your divorce or legal separation or termination of your Domestic Partner relationship.
May I terminate this coverage?
You may terminate this coverage at any time with written notification to The Standard.
Who is the beneficiary?
You, the employee, are the beneficiary of all dependent life benefits.
Why am I the beneficiary?
Dependent life insurance is provided as an employee benefit. This coverage is to provide financial resources in the event of a loved one’s death.
How do I receive benefits?
If your dependent dies, please contact The Standard to file a claim.
Who is an eligible dependent?
Your legal spouse/domestic partner, your own child, adopted child, foster child, and any child for whom you have been appointed legal guardian, or stepchildren if they are dependent upon you for support.
Are there any age limitations?
An eligible dependent child is covered from live birth to the end of the calendar year in which they reach age 26.
Is a physical exam required?
Physical exams are not required for the initial enrollment, and are never required for children. If you enroll your eligible legal spouse/domestic partner at a future time, evidence of insurability and a physical exam may be required.
Are any of my other benefits affected by this coverage?
No. This coverage is independent of all other coverages.
What is included with this coverage?
This plan provides basic dependent term life benefits for your legal spouse and children. Coverage also provides accidental death and dismemberment benefits at the same level as the elected basic benefit.
Is there a disability provision?
The group dependent term life insurance does not offer a disability provision.
My spouse and I are full time employees of MDCPS. Can we both cover the children?
Only one of you may cover your children. Duplication of benefits for the same person is not allowed.
Can we cover each other as dependents?
No. You may not cover your legal spouse as a dependent if they are full-time employee of MDCPS.
What if I have more than one child?
Each child is covered for the same benefit that you have elected. The rate is the same regardless of the number of eligible children you have.
How much dependent coverage may purchase?
You may purchase $5,000, $10,000, $20,000 or $30,000 coverage for your legal spouse/domestic partner and $5,000 or $10,000 coverage for your eligible children. Dependent group term life coverage may not exceed 50% of the employee’s selected life insurance coverage (basic and optional combined).
Why is there a 50% limitation?
The 50% limitation reflects the employer’s preferred plan design and helps establish a consistent level of dependent coverage relative to employee coverage.
Will my dependent's insurance increase along with my salary?
No. The only increase is when you initiate an increase or through medical underwriting.
Why are the rates based on my age and not my dependent's age?
This program has been actuarially underwritten utilizing employee age data. It is standard practice to base rates on the employee’s age.
What if I have a change in status during the calendar year?
If you experience a change in status such as marital status; dependent’s birth, death, adoption or ineligibility, you may add or drop dependent coverage as long as the change to your benefit is consistent with the change in status you experience.
If I experience a change in status, how many days do I have to make the necessary changes to my benefits?
You have 30 days from the date of the qualifying event to submit a request and documentation supporting the change in status to the Office of Risk and Benefits Management. Evidence of insurability is not required for timely requests.
Can this coverage be converted to a personal policy?
This coverage can be continued upon separation from MDCPS. Please contact The Standard for more information about the available options.
What is the conversion application period?
The conversion application period is a 60-day period to exercise your rights to continue coverage under the two available options.
What if my dependent dies during the conversion application period?
If the dependent dies during the application conversion period, we will pay the death benefit. The death benefit will be paid even if the dependent did not apply for an individual policy.
What if the dependent and I are involved in the same accident?
A. Simultaneous Death Provision
If a Beneficiary or a person in one of the classes listed in item D. No Surviving Beneficiary dies on the same day you die, or within 15 days thereafter, benefits will be paid as if that Beneficiary or person had died before you, unless Proof Of Loss with respect to your or your Spouse's death is delivered to us before the date of the Beneficiary's death.
B. No Surviving Beneficiary
If you do not name a Beneficiary for each different insurance plan where you may elect a Beneficiary, or if you are not survived by one, benefits will be paid in equal shares to the first surviving class of the classes below.
- Your spouse/Spouse.
- Your children.
- Your parents.
- Your brothers and sisters.
- Your estate.