Life & Accident Plans

Life and AD&D coverage is offered through Standard Insurance Company. Windstream covers the cost of your Basic Group Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage, which is one-half times (1/2x) your salary. Eligible pay is generally defined as base pay plus commissions, overtime, and bonuses. 1/2x coverage will be calculated on base pay only until an eligible pay average can be calculated.

Basic Group Life and AD&D

This coverage is an employee group term plan provided by Windstream to eligible employees to offer financial protection for your dependents if you die or suffer serious injuries while covered under the plan. The type of life insurance offered under this plan is called term life insurance because it provides benefits during the term or period for which premiums are paid. If you die while covered under the plan, a benefit equal to 50% of your annual eligible compensation up to a maximum of $1 million will be paid to your beneficiary. Per IRS regulations, Windstream is required to impute income on coverage amounts in excess of $50,000.

If you die or suffer serious injuries as a result of a covered accident, the plan will pay an additional benefit up to 50% of your annual eligible compensation, up to a maximum of $1 million (or a percentage based on the type of loss that you experience). This benefit is called Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance. AD&D Insurance is automatically included in the plan.

Supplemental Group Life Insurance

This optional coverage is available to regular employees. Employee coverage can be purchased in multiples of annual pay from one time pay up to eight times pay, up to a maximum of $1.5 million. If employee coverage is purchased, spouse coverage can be purchased in multiples of $25,000, up to a $250,000 maximum, but cannot equal more than 100% of the amount of supplemental employee coverage. If employee coverage is purchased, child coverage for eligible dependents can be purchased in multiples of $5,000 to $25,000. Child life may not exceed 100% of the amount of supplemental employee coverage. Employee contributions are required to enroll in a supplemental life plan. With the exception of Child life, contributions are determined based on the age of the employee or spouse as of the beginning of the plan year.

During enrollment, employees who currently have or plan to enroll in Spouse Life Insurance will enter the spouse’s demographic information. The spouse’s age will determine their life rate.

Supplemental Group AD&D Insurance

All regular employees are eligible for accidental death and dismemberment insurance for themselves and their families. Eligible employees may select an amount of insurance up to 8 times annual pay, up to a maximum of $1.5 million. For dismemberment claims, the amount of benefit is based on the type of loss. Employee contributions are required.

Completing a Statement of Health for Evidence of Insurability

If you elect to add or increase your supplemental life insurance coverage, you may be required to complete a Statement of Health (SOH)   for yourself or your spouse. SOH is not required to enroll in AD&D insurance.

Long-Term Disability

Your long-term disability insurance coordinates with other Windstream and government-sponsored benefits to provide a benefit of 60% of your basic monthly earnings should you become disabled. This program is provided by Cigna. Enrollment is automatic for all employees regularly scheduled to work at least 30 hours per week. Windstream pays the insurance premium for this coverage.