Basic term life insurance coverage at no cost to you
If you are in a regular position with a full-time equivalency (FTE) of at least 0.75, you automatically receive life insurance when you’re hired. No action is required on your part. There are no health questions to answer, because you are guaranteed coverage.
We offer term life insurance, which means the benefits are available to you only while you’re employed at UK.
Your coverage amount depends on your hire date:
Hired before July 1, 2017: You receive coverage in the amount of 100% of your annual salary.
Hired on or after July 1, 2017: You receive coverage from 50% to 100% of your annual salary.
If your annual salary is more than $50,000, you will pay tax on the premiums UK pays toward the cost of any insurance above $50,000. You may lower your coverage level to $50,000 to avoid any additional taxes by adjusting the amount in myUK.
Term life insurance is administered by Prudential
As part of their life insurance coverage, Prudential provides additional benefits. Read about Prudential's plan in detail.
If you have the automatic basic coverage provided by UK, you also receive these benefits:
- Guidance from financial advisers
- Legal services, including living and basic wills, health care directives, and power of attorney
- Emotional support services, such as grief counseling
- Funeral planning services
- Discounts on wellness products and services, including gym memberships, fitness and nutrition products, hearing aids, and others
Add more life insurance
- How much will my funeral and burial expenses be?
- How much would my family need to pay for outstanding debt?
- How many years of my income do I need to replace?
- How much annual income will my survivors need?
- Do I have children who may go to college?
- Are there any one-time expenses I want to fund (wedding, home repairs, etc.)?
- How much money do I have available in investments outside of retirement accounts?
Term life insurance through Prudential
Term life insurance is the same type of life insurance you get automatically when you're hired. You'll only receive benefits from this life insurance while you're employed with the University of Kentucky. You may purchase optional term life insurance, up to eight times your annual salary, for yourself and your family.
Enroll through myUK
Employee costs
| Your Age | Monthly cost per $1,000 of coverage |
|---|---|
| Up to age 34 | 5 cents |
| 35-39 | 8 cents |
| 40-44 | 9 cents |
| 45-49 | 13 cents |
| 50-54 | 22 cents |
| 55-59 | 37 cents |
| 60-64 | 60 cents |
| 65-69 | $1.11 |
| 70+ | $1.93 |
Family Costs
| Coverage | $10,000 | $15,000 | $20,000 | $25,000 | $30,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spouse | $1.70 | $2.55 | $3.40 | $4.25 | $5.10 |
| Child | $1.30 | $1.95 | $2.60 | $3.25 | $3.90 |
Filing a life insurance claim with Prudential
Call Prudential as soon as possible at (833) 962-0064, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern. Prudential will determine what benefits may be available. You might also need these documents:
- A funeral home or cemetery assignment – This is a form most funeral homes and cemeteries have that allows Prudential to pay them directly. It must be signed by a beneficiary who is not a minor.
- Death certificate – Get a copy of the certified documents listing the cause and manner of death.
- Police, coroner, autopsy and laboratory reports, newspaper articles, and medical records – You might need these for an accident-related death
Universal life insurance through The MPM Group
If you want permanent life insurance that stays with you if you retire or change employers, consider universal life insurance. This permanent type of life insurance is designed to be there for you in your retirement years. You may also purchase separate policies for your spouse and your children whether or not you elect coverage for yourself. The voluntary benefit is offered through American Heritage Life Insurance Company.
- Portability: If you leave UK or retire, you may take your universal life insurance coverage with you.
- Cash value: In addition to life insurance protection, universal life offers a cash value account. When you pay your premium, a portion of it goes to the cash value account and grows tax-deferred.
- Simplified underwriting: Coverage is easier to obtain due to fewer health questions.
- Accelerated benefits: If you or a covered dependent become terminally ill, a percentage of the death benefit may be received immediately
News
Employee benefits
Regular, full-time employees with an assignment of at least 0.75 FTE are eligible for life insurance.
Contact our office
Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(859) 257-9519 option 3
benefits@uky.edu
204 Mandrell Hall