Group Term Life Insurance FAQs
Q. What is the purpose of this coverage?
A. The Group Term Life Insurance with Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance Plan provides your beneficiary with financial security should they lose you to an illness or accidental injury.
Q. Who is eligible to enroll in this plan?
A. All active employees in an active pay status working at one of the eligible federal agencies we serve may enroll in the Group Term Life Insurance Plan. Click here for a list of eligible agencies. You do not need to be enrolled in any other SAMBA plans, and you can enroll at any time.
Q. How much life insurance coverage can I have?
A. Maximum coverage amounts are based on your job grade. When you initially enroll, you must select the coverage amount that coincides with your current job classification; see the Group Term Life Insurance for Active Employees table. When you are promoted to a higher job grade, you have the opportunity to increase your coverage amount; you may do so by completing an Enrollment or Request for Change form. If you apply for the increase within 12 months of being promoted, and your benefit amount is at the maximum benefit amount allowed in your previous job grade, you will not need to complete a health statement.
Q. How can I find out what my current level of coverage is?
A. SAMBA periodically sends coverage statements to all enrollees, advising them of their current coverage. You can also contact SAMBA at 1-800-638-6589 or www.SambaPlans.com with any coverage inquiry.
Q. Why doesn’t SAMBA automatically increase my coverage?
A. SAMBA doesn’t know when you are promoted to a higher job classification. It is your responsibility to request any benefit increase.
Q. How do I pay the premiums for my coverage?
A. Depending on which agency you are employed by, your premium may be paid through biweekly payroll allotment, monthly by Direct Debit from your bank account, or by quarterly bill. Retired members or active employees working for an agency that does not have an allotment arrangement set up with SAMBA can opt for either Direct Debit or quarterly bill.
Q. I want more insurance protection – can I apply for more coverage?
A. Yes! SAMBA offers the Supplemental Group Term Life Insurance Plan to enrollees in the Group Term Life Insurance with AD&D Plan. You can add up to $300,000 of additional insurance protection for you and your spouse.
Note: The amount of insurance on your spouse may not exceed 50% of the amount for which you are insured.
Q. How does the accelerated death benefit work?
A. If you have a Terminal Medical Condition, the Plan can make available up to 75% of the Group Term Life Insurance benefit, up to a maximum of $250,000. This can be used to help pay for medical expenses or begin putting the family’s financial affairs in order. (A Terminal Medical Condition is one that, with reasonable medical certainty, will result in death within 12 months and was diagnosed by a physician on or after coverage became effective.)
Q. What is the Accidental Death and Dismemberment benefit?
A. This feature provides benefits in the event you are: 1) killed; or lose your 2) hands; 3) feet; 4) eyesight; or 5) speech and hearing as the result of a covered Accidental Injury. If you die as the result of an accident, your beneficiary will receive double the amount of your life insurance policy. In the case of dismemberment or loss of eyesight, you will receive a lump-sum percentage of your coverage, depending upon the injuries sustained.
Q. What is the death benefit if I die in the line of duty?
A. If you are killed in the line of duty, the Accidental Death and Dismemberment benefit increases by 50%. For example, if your base life insurance amount is $175,000, your beneficiary would receive that amount, plus an additional $175,000 for the Accidental Death and Dismemberment benefit, and an additional $87,500 for the “killed in the line of duty” benefit. The total death benefit in this example would be $437,500. The death must meet the Plan’s definition of “killed in the line of duty” – see the Summary Plan Description for additional information.
Q. How do I qualify for SAMBA’s Terrorism Coverage?
A. Your enrollment in the SAMBA’s Terrorism Coverage is automatic – at no charge - once you are enrolled in either SAMBA’s Group Term Life Insurance with AD&D Plan, Disability Income Protection Plan, or the SAMBA Health Benefit Plan.
Q. What happens if I transfer to another federal agency that SAMBA does not serve?
A. If you continue to be actively at work with another branch of the federal government, you may continue coverage under the plan. However, you must notify SAMBA of the change in employment and make arrangements to pay the premiums.
Q. Who is my current beneficiary and how can I change my beneficiary designation?
A. Contact SAMBA if you have any questions about your beneficiary selection. If you wish to change your beneficiary, complete a new Beneficiary Form.
Q. Who is the Underwriter of this Plan?
A. The Prudential Insurance Company of America is the Underwriter of the Group Term Life Insurance with AD&D Plan.
Q. Is there a conversion policy available?
A. Yes. If your insurance, or a portion of it, terminates because you retire or are no longer in an eligible class as described in the policy, you may convert this coverage to an individual policy, without Evidence of Insurability. Contact SAMBA at (800) 638-6589 or www.SambaPlans.com to request a conversion
policy within 30 days of your loss of coverage.
Q. Can I continue my coverage when I retire?
A. Yes! Provided you were covered as an active member for one year prior to your retirement, you may continue your life insurance under the plan. Retired members choose from eight plan options; see the Group Term Life Insurance Retirement Options table.
Q. When does the policy end?
A. The Group Term Life Insurance plan coverage ends at age 70. If you wish to continue coverage, SAMBA has made arrangements for you to purchase (under another policy) up to $10,000 of insurance coverage.
Q. How do I enroll?
A. Download the appropriate enrollment forms, complete them, and mail them to SAMBA at 11301 Old Georgetown Rd, Rockville, MD 20852.
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