It’s important to plan for your family’s financial security in case the unexpected happens. That’s why DSM provides basic life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance for employees — at no cost to you. In addition, you have the protection of company-paid business travel accident insurance.
You also have the option of buying optional life and AD&D insurance for yourself and your family through easy payroll deductions. Assess your life insurance needs. Click Here
If you and your spouse are both DSM employees, you cannot cover each other for Life Insurance or AD&D; only one of you may hold coverage.
Life/AD&D Salary and Age Rules
- Base pay is frozen as of September 1 of the prior year for current employees and as of date of hire for new hires. Should you or your spouse/DP have an eligible death claim, benefits will be based on the base pay in effect on the date of death.
- Age is frozen as of January 1 for current employees and as of date of hire for new hires. During Annual Enrollment, age is frozen as January 1 of the next plan year.
- Employee life and AD&D benefits are reduced 35% as of January 1 after you turn 65 and 50% as of January 1 after you turn 70.
- Spouse/DP life and AD&D benefits are reduced 35% as of January 1 after age 65 and terminate as of January 1 after age 70.
- Child life and AD&D benefits terminate at age 19.
- You are the beneficiary for spouse/DP and child life insurance and for AD&D insurance.
DSM provides Basic life and AD&D insurance to assist you and your family in the event of a death or dismemberment. These benefits are fully paid by the company.
Benefits are equal to:
- Basic life insurance: 2 times base pay
- Basic AD&D life insurance: 2 times base pay
What is AD&D insurance?
Should you lose your life, sight, hearing, speech, or use of your limb(s) in an accident, AD&D insurance provides additional benefits to help keep your family financially secure. AD&D benefits are paid as a percentage of your coverage amount — from 50% to 100% — depending on the type of loss.
You can purchase additional life and AD&D insurance for yourself, as well as coverage for your spouse/domestic partner, and your child(ren). You pay the full cost of any optional life and AD&D insurance coverage.
Optional Life Insurance
| Coverage | Benefit | Maximum Benefit | Guarantee Issue Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| For you | 1 to 6 times annual base pay rounded up to the nearest $1,000 | $1,000,000 | Lesser of 3x annual base pay and $300,000 |
| For your spouse/DP | $10,000 increments | $150,000 | $50,000 |
| For your children | $5,000 increments | $25,000 | Not applicable |
Optional AD&D Insurance
| Coverage | Benefit | Maximum Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| For you | Increments of $25,000 | $1,000,000 |
| For your family: | ||
| Spouse/DP benefit | 50% of employee benefit if no children are covered; 40% with child coverage | $100,000 |
| Child benefit | 10% of employee benefit if spouse/DP is covered; 15% if no spouse/DP coverage | $25,000 |
Evidence of insurability
Life insurance over a certain amount may require evidence of insurability (EOI). After electing coverage, you will receive more information if EOI is required.
When traveling on behalf of the company, be assured you are protected under a company-paid business travel accident insurance policy should an accident occur. This policy provides coverage for certain injuries or death resulting from an accident during business travel. Coverage is automatic — you do not need to enroll, and there is no cost to you.
- Benefit: 4x annual base pay
- Minimum Benefit: $100,000
- Maximum Benefit: $2,000,000
- Seat Belt Benefit: 10% of death benefit to $50,000 maximum
Have you named a beneficiary?
It’s important to designate a beneficiary to receive the benefit paid by a life insurance policy. As personal circumstances change, be sure to keep that information up to date. Visit the DSM Benefits Center to add or change a beneficiary.
Are you the beneficiary of an employee’s Life or AD&D benefit?
- To notify DSM, contact the DSM Benefits Center.
- For claim information, visit the Prudential website.
- Also, visit the Life Events page to learn more about what actions you should take.