The benefits listed below are available on one or more of the base products listed on the Product Details page. Use the below information to master each benefit before explaining its functionality to your customer.
Accidental Death Benefit
On Guaranteed Issue Plans, if death is accidental, the initial Account Value accumulated with growth (full death benefit) will be paid from the first day.
Spouse Accidental Death Benefit
If a spouse dies because of the same accident as the annuitant, the death benefit is doubled. If both the annuitant and the spouse are covered by two separate TruStage certificates, we pay the Spouse Accidental Death Benefit on just one of the certificates.
Joint First-to-Die Coverage
In group life or annuity products, this coverage can be used for two spouses. The death benefit is paid once on a first-to-die basis. The enrollment form is completed for the eldest applicant; plan availability and age limits will be based on the age of the older applicant. Indicate “joint coverage” at the top of the enrollment form and complete it in full. An additional enrollment form needs to be filled out for the younger spouse; indicate “joint coverage” at the top of the enrollment form and provide personal information, health questions and signature only. Both forms should be signed by the same certificate owner, and one certificate will be issued. The death benefit will be payable upon the first applicant’s death.
Splitting Joint First-to-Die Coverage Into Two Separate Certificates:
If spouses request that their Joint First-to-Die coverage is broken into individual coverage, the procedure is as follows:
- Assuming Mr. Doe was the elder of the two, the Joint First-to-Die certificate is amended so that the annuitant (which was Mr. or Mrs. Doe) is changed to Mr. Doe. Since the premiums on the Joint certificate were based on the age of the eldest, this certificate does not change.
- This change is processed using a Customer Service Request Form #0068-65 (see guide page 15) asking to have Mrs. Doe removed from this certificate.
- Once this change has been processed by the administrative office, this certificate becomes single coverage in the name of Mr. Doe. Submit a new enrollment form for single coverage on Mrs. Doe (the youngest). Plan eligibility and premiums will be based on the present health and attained age of Mrs. Doe.
Note: Submit both the Customer Service Request form requesting that Mrs. Doe be removed from the original certificate and her new enrollment form for single coverage to the administrative office.
Early Payoff Option
A premium-paying certificate may be converted to a paid-up certificate at any time. To request a payoff, the certificate owner needs to sign a Customer Service Request form #0068-65 with the requested plan change indicated on page 2, Section 10 of the form (see Documents and Forms page). The payoff must be for the same Account Value. A reduction in Account Value will be processed if a copy of the new Preneed Funeral Agreement accompanies the request and matches the reduced Account Value. The amount required to pay off the plan depends on how long the Time Pay plan has been in force. The administrative office can provide a quote based on the following general principles:
- Time Pay plan in force for fewer than 46 days:
- The Time Pay plan is changed to a Single Pay plan. The administrative office will confirm the transaction by mailing (emailing upon request) a paid-up confirmation letter. The payoff amount is the total amount minus premiums paid. There is no administrative fee.
- Time Pay plan in force between 46 days and 12 months:
- The Time Pay plan is cancelled and premiums paid are credited towards the purchase, on the Early Pay Off date, of a new Single Pay plan (Note: The Single Premium rate may have changed by that EPO date due to a birthday). The balance of the single pay premium is due along with an administrative fee of $200.
- Time Pay plan in force for more than 12 months:
- The Time Pay plan will be changed to a shorter premium period plan with the same certificate number. For example, a 10-year plan or a 5-year plan is converted to a 3-year plan. The payoff amount will be the difference in past premiums based on the 3-year plan with interest.
- The family can also opt to pay off the plan in full. The payoff amount will be the difference in past premiums with interest, plus the balance of 3-year Time Pay premiums with a discount.
- The administrative office will confirm the transaction by mailing (emailing upon request) a paid-up confirmation letter.