Life Insurance

Employer-Paid Basic Term Life and AD&D Insurance

The Standard Life Insurance Company (The Standard) is the CSU’s insurance carrier for employer-paid basic term life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance.

To be eligible for CSU-paid basic term life and AD&D insurance:

  • An employee must be appointed at least half-time (equivalent to 7.5 Weighted Teaching Units for academic year appointments) for more than six months in an eligible employee category.
  • If employed in an R03 Lecturer or Coach Academic Year position, employee must be appointed for at least six (6) weighted teaching units for at least one semester, or two or more consecutive quarter terms.
  • Qualifying appointments may be either permanent or temporary.

If eligible, enrollment will be automatic and no action is required.  Coverage will be effective the first of the month following eligibility.  The amount of coverage varies between bargaining units.

Employee CategoryPolicy Class NumberBasic Term LifeAD&D
Executive (M98)Class 1$250,000$250,000
Management (M80)Class 2$100,000$100,000
Confidential (C99)Class 3$50,000$50,000
Faculty (R03)Class 4$50,000$50,000
Teaching Associates Only (R11)Class 5$50,000$0
Academic Professionals (R04)Class 6$25,000$25,000
Public Safety (R08)Class 7$10,000$10,000
CSUEU (R02, 05, 07, 09)Class 8$50,000$50,000
Physicians (R01)Class 9$25,000$25,000
Core ELP Instructors (Unit 13)Class 12$10,000$10,000

One feature that comes with employer paid life insurance through The Standard is the Travel Assistance Program through Assist America.

Premiums automatically cease when an employee goes on:

  • Leave of absence without pay
  • Temporary disability compensation
  • Non-industrial disability leave
  • Industrial disability leave, or
  • Other non-pay status.

Premiums will commence once the employee returns to active pay status.

Eligible employees who are granted a leave of absence without pay may continue their participation in the plan by making direct payments of the full premiums to The Standard.

If you wish to designate a beneficiary other than a spouse, child, parent or siblings, which are considered automatic (statutory) beneficiaries, you must complete a Beneficiary Form (see below).

Employee-Paid Voluntary Life Insurance

The CSU offers voluntary life insurance to all eligible employees. Employees can purchase protection for themselves and eligible family members including spouse/ domestic partner and dependent children. Employee coverage ranges from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $1,500,000. Coverage for an employee's spouse or domestic partner ranges from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $750,000. Coverage for children can be purchased at $5,000, $10,000 and $20,000. Children must be insured for the same amount.

New employees may automatically qualify for a set amount of insurance coverage called Guarantee Issue. Under the Guarantee Issue provision, employees may apply for coverage up to $150,000 for themselves, $50,000 for their spouses/domestic partners and $20,000 for each child without answering medical questions (evidence of insurability). However, any amount, up to the maximum limits, may be chosen and would require evidence of insurability.

The Standard's voluntary life insurance plan also contains a number of enhanced coverage features including:

  1. Waiver of premium for disabled employees
  2. Portability
  3. Coverage not subject to reduction because of age, and
  4. Living death benefit.

For more information, please visit:

  • Recognizing that individuals have different financial needs, The CSU provides eligible employees the opportunity to apply for Voluntary Life insurance for themselves and their families at competitive group rates. This is in addition to any employer-paid Basic Life insurance already in force.