The City of Houston provides all full-time employees with a basic life insurance policy at one times their base annual salary at no cost to the employee through Dearborn National.
Life Insurance
Basic Life
The City provides all full-time employees with Basic Life Insurance at the value of your base annual salary rounded up to the next multiple of $1,000 up to a maximum of $300,000 at no cost. With submission of appropriate documentation, your spouse is eligible for a $2,000 life insurance benefit. Dependent children up to age 26 may also qualify for a $1,000 life insurance benefit.
If your life situation changes at any time — such as marriage, divorce or death — you should update your beneficiary as soon as possible.
Dearborn National (Life Insurance) has merged with BlueCross BlueShield of Texas and is now known as BlueCross BlueShield of Texas on customer service lines, forms and communication materials.
Voluntary Life
You have the option of purchasing Voluntary Life Insurance up to four times your base salary. As a new hire, you must enroll within 30 days of their hire date and can elect up to three times your base salary without completing an Evidence of Insurability (EOI) form. You can add coverage for a spouse at half of your salary, up to a maximum of $50,000 and coverage for children up to $10,000. To apply for Voluntary Life Insurance for your spouse or children you must be enrolled in Voluntary Life Insurance as the primary insured.
Premiums are based on your age, salary and coverage options. Applicable rates are available on HROneconnect.houstontx.gov, go to Organizational Updates, then click on the Benefitplace tile.
Who is Eligible for Voluntary Life Coverage?
All elected officials, full-time and part-time active status employees and retirees of the City of Houston who have completed the initial waiting period are eligible for voluntary life insurance.
- Full-time employee is an employee working forty (40) hours per week.
- Part-time employee is an that works least thirty (30) hours per week.
- Seasonal and temporary employees are not eligible.
Employees currently enrolled in voluntary life coverage can enroll their eligible dependents subject to any evidence of insurability requirements at any time.
How do I Enroll in Voluntary Life?
Current employees have the option to apply for Voluntary Life Insurance for up to four times their base salary during the annual open enrollment. An Evidence of Insurability (EOI) form is required. New hires may enroll within 30 days of their hire date and can elect up to three times your base salary without completing an Evidence of Insurability (EOI) form. An Evidence of Insurability (EOI) form is required if the new hire applies for four times their base salary.
Submit your forms by one of the options below:
Mailing Address:
Dearborn Life Insurance Attention: Medical Underwriting
P.O. Box 7072
Downers Grove, IL 60515
Fax: 855-691-7157
Dearborn Life Insurance Attention: Medical Underwriting
Deductions from your paycheck will begin upon approval by Dearborn Life Insurance. If you do not receive notification within 30 days of submitting your forms, contact them directly at 877-442-4207.
Duplicate Insurance
Duplicate Voluntary Life Insurance Coverage is not permitted as follows:
- As both a City retiree and a City employee, for the same benefit.
- As both a City retiree or City employee and as a dependent of a City employee, for the same benefit.
- As a dependent of more than one City retiree, or City employee, for the same benefit.
Any individual found to have duplicate benefits coverage for the same benefit will be dropped, from the duplicate coverage.
If you find you or your dependent are currently duplicating coverage under the policy please reach out to the Human Resources Benefits Division at (832) 393-6000 to make appropriate changes.
