All information presented on this page, including links to plan documents and descriptions, is specific to the plan year of July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025.
Life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance helps provide financial protection in the event of your death or that of a spouse/domestic partner or dependent. Through The Hartford (formerly, Aetna), the University provides basic term life and accidental death and dismemberment coverage at no cost to you. Optional life insurance, AD&D coverage, and dependent term life insurance may also be purchased at attractive group rates.
Please note: Effective August 1, 2020, Aetna's name changed to The Hartford. With this name change, there are no changes to your coverage or premiums. Like Aetna, The Hartford is widely recognized for its service excellence, sustainability practices, trust, and integrity.
Need to contact The Hartford? Find the correct number based on your need:
- To initiate a claim : 1-888-755-1503
- To check a claim: 1-888-563-1124
- For coverage and beneficiary information: 1-855-396-7655
- For EOI information: 1-800-331-7234
- For portability/conversion: 1-877-320-0484
- For general questions: 1-855-396-7655
Basic Group Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurances
Pitt provides basic term life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment coverage (AD&D) equal to one times your salary up to $50,000.
Optional Coverage
Faculty and staff may purchase optional life insurance and AD&D coverage up to six times the base salary provided certain evidence of insurability requirements are met. Optional dependent life insurance is also available at attractive group rates.
Summary Guide:
- Disclaimer: The scope and content reflect plan provisions. There is no intent to imply or confirm participation or amounts of insurance in effect for an individual who reads this communication.
Life Insurance Beneficiary Designations for The Hartford
Visit The Hartford's website to personally manage your beneficiary designations for Pitt group term coverage. The Beneficiary Designation form is available for download (via Pitt Passport).
Life Insurance Beneficiary Management
You must designate a beneficiary (or beneficiaries) at the time you enroll in any of the coverages. Basic coverage is provided by the University through The Hartford, and you may elect from optional programs of insurance sponsored by the University through The Hartford. You need to complete only one form for The Hartford.
Following initial enrollment, you may change a beneficiary designation at any time. Please check periodically to make sure your designation is current. To check or change your beneficiaries, call The Hartford at 1-855-396-7655. This will help to ensure that any claim in the event of your death is fulfilled according to your wishes. Personal life events typically require a review and perhaps an update to your beneficiary designations. Personal life events include, but are not limited to:
- Birth of a child
- Marriage
- Divorce
- Death
The Hartford provides a wide range of "value added" services for University of Pittsburgh faculty, staff, and retirees.
Support Through All Stages Of Life
Discounts and Services included in The Hartford life insurance at no additional cost:
| While you're living (caring for yourself) |
If you become ill (caring support and resources) |
After you're gone (caring for your loved ones) |
|
| Financial | Access to financial advice services | Accelerated Death Benefit | Financial Counseling |
| Legal | Access to online legal services | Access to in-person legal and estate planning | Access to legal advice and estate planning |
| Emotional | Access to funeral planning | Access to end-of-life info Compassionate Care website and funeral planning | Bereavement counseling and funeral planning |
| Physical | Discount programs | Care Advocacy |
Life Insurance Provisions for Loss of Coverage (Portability and Conversion)
Portability and conversion provide employees the opportunity to take their coverage with them should they no longer be eligible for the University-sponsored group plan.
| Plans | Conversion | Portability |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Life | Yes | Yes |
| Basic A&D | Yes | No |
| Optional Life | Yes | Yes |
| Optional A&D | Yes | No |
| Dependent Life | Yes | Yes |
If your employment ends, you can convert the full amount of coverage you had on the date your employment ended.
If your coverage is reduced due to retirement, you can convert the amount of coverage you are losing. (ex. $50,000 basic life - $15,000 retiree life = $35,000 to convert)
How to Port or Convert Your Coverage
To port or convert your coverage, you must fill out the Notice of Conversion and/or Portability Rights form and submit it to The Hartford.
Completed forms should be mailed to The Hartford at: The Hartford, Portability and Conversion Unit, P.O. Box 43786, Cleveland, OH 44143-0786. Forms can also be faxed to The Hartford at: 440-646-9339. Forms will not be accepted by the OHR Benefits Department.
For questions about portability and/or conversion, please contact The Hartford by calling 1-877-320-0484.
Additional Resources
- The Hartford informational site
- Learn about the benefits of life insurance (video)
- Learn about voluntary life insurance
- Learn about voluntary AD&D coverage
Note: The application and payment of the first premium must be made within 31 days of the date the coverage ends through the University of Pittsburgh Group Policy.
*Note: For faculty on less than annual appointments, the amount for insurance benefits is automatically doubled January through April; the actual monthly amount is withheld September through December.
Please visit the Glossary of Terms page for commonly used medical terms and definitions.