EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
The Right Career, Right Here
LIFE INSURANCE
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR LIFE INSURANCE?
The County of Monterey provides benefited employees with Group Term Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance through the MetLife Insurance Company at no cost. Your coverage begins the 1st of the month following your hire date or promotion into a benefited position. The amount of coverage is determined by your bargaining unit, as outlined below.
CAN I CHANGE THE AMOUNT OF MY COVERAGE?
Your group term life insurance coverage amount is based on your bargaining unit. You cannot increase or decrease the covered amount under your policy. If you wish to purchase additional life insurance at your own expense through our optional benefits partner, AFLAC, please visit our Optional Benefits / Programs page for more information
WHAT HAPPENS IF I'M NO LONGER EMPLOYED BY THE COUNTY?
You can generally convert your group term life insurance benefits to an individual whole life insurance policy if your coverage terminates due to your retirement or termination of employment. Conversion is available on all group life insurance coverages. Please note that conversion is not available on the Accidental Death & Dismemberment portion of your coverage. If you experience an event that makes you eligible to convert your coverage, call MetLife at 1-877-275-6387 to begin the process.
BENEFICIARIES
We recommend that you complete a Beneficiary Designation Form if you are enrolled in this life insurance benefit. Completing the Beneficiary Designation Form ensures your money goes to the appropriate individual or individuals you designate. If you do not complete this form, the life insurance company has a process they follow to identify who is eligible for the benefit upon your passing. You can mail the completed form as indicated on the last page of the form. Please note that the County does not keep copies of this form, and you should keep a copy for your own records.
ACCELERATED BENEFIT OPTION
If you become terminally ill and are determined to have no more than 12 months to live, you have the option to receive up to 50% of your life insurance coverage now. This can help your family meet medical and other expenses at a difficult time. Amounts not accelerated will continue under the plan for as long as you remain eligible and as long as the group policy remains in effect. Please contact the Employee Benefits team at BenefitsHelp@co.monterey.ca.us for support in requesting this benefit.
FUNERAL PLANNING GUIDE
The MetLife Funeral Planning Guide is available to help employees and their loves at a time when it’s needed the most by documenting your funeral preferences and other key information for your survivors. Your grieving family members and friends may be confronted with dozens of funeral planning decisions, which typically must be made quickly and under great emotional duress. This Funeral Planning Guide provides an easy-to-use format for documenting information your loved ones will need after your death. Once you have completed the Funeral Planning Guide, store it with your other important documents. Please be aware that neither MetLife nor the County captures nor stores these preferences.
NEW FUNERAL DISCOUNT AND PLANNING SERVICES
Prepare your family for life’s unexpected outcomes with Dignity Memorial. New funeral discounts and planning services are available at no additional cost. Through Dignity Memorial, you and your family will have access to compassionate counselors as well as discounts on funeral services through the largest network of funeral homes and cemetery providers in North America.
- Expert assistance - Available 24 hours, seven days a week to help guide you and your family in making confident decisions.
- Planning Services - Online, over the phone, or by paper to help make final wishes easier to manage.
- Bereavement Travel Services - Assistance with time-sensitive travel arrangements to be with loved ones.
- Discounts - Save money on funeral, cremation, and cemetery services.
For more information, visit finalwishplanning.com, call 1-866-853-0954, or review the Dignity Funeral Planning flyer.