If an employee is a participant in the VRS retirement plan, the employee is automatically enrolled in the VRS Basic Life Insurance plan. As part of this mandatory life insurance plan, employees are eligible to receive life insurance as well as accidental death and dismemberment benefits. 

• Basic coverage equals two times an employee's annual salary rounded to the next higher $1,000.
• If an employee should die in an accident, the benefit would generally be twice what it would be if the employee were to die of natural causes.
• If an employee is in an accident, the employee will receive benefits according to the loss experienced in the accident (such as the loss of an arm or leg or loss of sight).
• Employees can continue coverage while they are on a leave without pay, but they are responsible for the premiums.

VRS members, along with FCPS, each pay a share of the VRS Basic Life Insurance premium. Deductions are taken from each paycheck each pay period.

Through the VRS Optional Life Insurance program, employees may purchase additional life insurance at group rates for themselves and their family.

Optional Life Insurance has certain guaranteed coverage amounts if you enroll within 31 calendar days of the date of hire/eligibility. Evidence of Insurability (EOI) is required if the coverage exceeds the guaranteed amount and/or if you do not enroll within the 31 days calendar days of your date of hire/eligibility. 

Employees may choose from eight options:

• Your Spouse's Coverage: If you elect coverage for your spouse, the amount of coverage corresponds to the option that you elected. For example, if you elect Option 2 for your Additional Employee Coverage (which is 2x your salary) and you elect spousal coverage, your spouse’s coverage is 1x your salary. Premiums for your spouse’s coverage are calculated based on your spouse’s age.
• Your Dependent Child(ren) Coverage: If you elect coverage for your dependent child(ren), the amount of coverage also corresponds to the option you selected for your additional coverage. 

Employees are responsible for the full cost of the Optional Life Insurance coverage selected. If enrolled, the cost is deducted from your paycheck, and deductions are taken from September through June. 

How to Apply

To apply for optional life insurance as a VRS member, you can apply online through your myVRS account. For benefit and coverage questions, contact Securian’s Richmond branch office at 1-800-441-2258 or send an email to [email protected]. 

If an employee is enrolled in the FCERS retirement plan, the employee is automatically enrolled in the County FCERS Basic Life Insurance plan. As part of this mandatory County FCERS Basic Life Insurance plan, employees are eligible to receive life insurance as well as accidental death and dismemberment benefits. 

• Employees are automatically covered for one times their salary rounded to the next higher $1,000.
• If an employee should die in an accident, the benefit would generally be twice what it would be if the employee were to die of natural causes.
• If an employee is in an accident, the employee will receive benefits according to the loss experienced in the accident (such as the loss of an arm or leg or loss of sight).
• Employees can continue coverage while they are on a leave without pay but they will be responsible for the premiums.
• FCPS pays the full cost for County FCERS Basic Life Insurance coverage as long as employees are actively at work.

Employees may purchase additional life insurance at group rates for themselves and their family (spouse and/or child(ren)).

Optional Life Insurance has certain guaranteed coverage amounts if you enroll within 30 days of the date of hire/eligibility. A Statement of Health (SOH) is required if the coverage exceeds the guaranteed amount and/or if you do not enroll within the 30 days calendar days of your date of hire/eligibility. 

Employees may choose from these options:

• Optional Employee Coverage:
  • Option 1 = 1 x Salary
  • Option 2 = 2 x Salary
• Optional Spouse* Coverage:
  • Option 1 = Spouse $10,000
  • Option 2 = Spouse $20,000

• Optional Dependent* Coverage:

  • Option 1 = Child(ren) $5,000
  • Option 2 = Child(ren) $10,000

  *You must be legally married to your spouse in order to cover the person under your life insurance plan. The premiums for Child Life cover all eligible child(ren) from age 10 days to age 26. Spouse and Child Life does not include AD&D coverage.

For Example
Joe is a new employee and earns $50,000 per year.  He elected Option 2 for himself, Option 1 for his spouse, and Option 1 for his children.

• Joe's life insurance coverage will equal 3x his salary (1x Basic + 2x Optional)
• Life insurance coverage for Joe's spouse will be $10,000
• Life insurance for each of Joe's eligible dependent children will be $5,000

How to Apply

Employees are responsible for the full cost of the Optional Life Insurance selected. If enrolled, the cost is deducted from your paycheck, and deductions are taken from September through June. See Cost of Coverage Overview Worksheet.

You must apply for Optional Life and/or Dependent Life Insurance within 30 days from your date of hire, re-hire, or date of benefits eligibility.  Coverage is effective 1st of the month following receipt of the Optional Employee & Dependent Life Insurance Election and Change Form (HR-142) in the Office of Benefit Services.

After 30 days, you may be eligible to elect coverage (such as upon a qualifying event) but may be required to complete a Statement of Health (SOH) form and subject to review and approval by MetLife. 

If you are an FCERS member not eligible for retirement, you may be eligible to convert your Basic, Optional, and/or Dependent Life insurance coverage to an individual plan.  Upon your request, the FCPS Office of Benefit Services will provide you with a completed Notice of Group Life Insurance Conversion Privilege form. (You may also view the form on the FCPS Benefits Forms webpage).  To request the notice, contact the FCPS Office of Benefit Services at 571-423-3200, Option 3, then Option 2.  

• You may also be eligible to convert coverage lost due to a benefit reduction because of reaching age 65, age 70, due to retirement, or due to a reduction in hours/salary. 
• Once you receive the completed notice from Office of Benefit Services, you must contact MetLife at 1-877-275-6387 to initiate the conversion application.
• The Application Period to initiate the conversion application is based on the date your group coverage terminates or reduces and the date of the Notice. Generally, you have 31 days from the date group coverage ends or reduces to apply for conversion. However, if the Notice is dated more than 15 days from date of termination or reduction, your application period is extended for an additional 15 days. If the 15-day extension applies to you, it will not exceed more than 91 days from the date group insurance was terminated or reduced.