UVA_HRLearn about UVA Group Term and Supplemental Life Insurance and Changes
Life Insurance for ORP and MCRP Members and Housestaff
Life insurance helps protect the people who depend on you financially. In exchange for your premium payments, the insurance company pays a lump-sum benefit (called a death benefit) to your designated beneficiaries if you die. Your beneficiaries can use this money to replace lost income, pay funeral expenses, pay off debts, or help cover other financial needs.
Life Insurance Changes for 2027
Beginning January 1, 2027, MetLife will become UVA’s life insurance carrier for ORP and MCRP participants and Housestaff. VRS participants are not affected by this change.
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What’s changing?
- New life insurance carrier
MetLife replaces The Standard beginning January 1, 2027. Basic Life, Supplemental Life, AD&D, Spouse Life, and Child Life will be administered by MetLife.
- Lower supplemental life insurance rates
Employee supplemental life insurance rates will decrease beginning January 1, 2027. The new rates are guaranteed through December 31, 2029.
- New MetLife Advantages services
Employees enrolled in supplemental life insurance will have access to services such as will preparation, estate resolution, funeral planning, and other support resources at no additional cost.
- Easier portability when you leave UVA
If you leave the University, you may continue eligible group term life coverage by paying premiums directly to MetLife, without answering health questions.
- Streamlined enrollment beginning in January
Beginning January 1, employees will be able to request additional coverage through Workday. Some elections may require health questions and MetLife approval.
- New life insurance carrier
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What do I need to do during Open Enrollment?
- Review your coverage
Consider whether your current life insurance coverage still meets your needs. You can use MetLife’s needs calculator to estimate how much coverage may be appropriate.
- Review your beneficiaries
Check your beneficiary information in Workday and make any needed updates.
- Take advantage of the special enrollment opportunity
During Open Enrollment, some coverage can be added or increased without health questions.
What can I do during Open Enrollment?
Answer three questions to see the 2027 life insurance opportunities and actions that apply to you.
Your Open Enrollment options
- Review your coverage
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What is the same?
- UVA-paid Basic Life Insurance
UVA continues to provide Basic Life Insurance equal to 1x salary, up to $500,000, at no cost to you.
- Supplemental coverage remains available
You can continue to purchase supplemental life insurance for yourself and eligible family members.
- Your existing coverage is transitioning
Employees currently covered through The Standard will transition to MetLife effective January 1, 2027.
- UVA-paid Basic Life Insurance
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What to expect after January 1
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You can request additional coverage
If you want coverage above the guaranteed amounts available during Open Enrollment, you can request it through Workday beginning January 1. Health questions and MetLife approval may be required. -
Access MetLife services
Eligible employees enrolled in supplemental life insurance will gain access to MetLife Advantages resources. -
Continue coverage if you leave UVA
Eligible group term life insurance may be continued directly through MetLife.
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Basic Life Insurance
- UVA provides Basic Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage at no cost to you.
- Basic Life Insurance provides coverage equal to 1x your annual salary, up to $500,000.
- Your coverage will be administered by MetLife beginning January 1, 2027.
- For information regarding your 2026 coverage with The Standard, see the Questions and Resources section below.
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Supplemental Life Insurance
Benefits-eligible employees may purchase additional life insurance equal to one to four times their base annual earnings, up to a maximum of $500,000.
Your monthly cost is based on your age and the amount of coverage you elect. Supplemental life insurance rates will decrease beginning January 1, 2027, and the new rates are guaranteed through December 31, 2029.
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Rate Tool
Discover how much Life Insurance You'll NeedLife Insurance Rate Finder
Select your age range to see your 2027 employee and spouse supplemental life insurance rates.
Rates are the monthly cost per $1,000 of coverage.
Rates for ages 29 and under
Employee supplemental life
$0.043
per $1,000 of coverage each month
Example: $100,000 of coverage would cost $4.30 per month.
Spouse life insurance
$0.074
per $1,000 of coverage each month
Example: $100,000 of coverage would cost $7.40 per month.
Spouse life insurance rates are based on the covered employee's age, not the spouse's age.
Rates for ages 30–34
Employee supplemental life
$0.048
per $1,000 of coverage each month
Example: $100,000 of coverage would cost $4.80 per month.
Spouse life insurance
$0.083
per $1,000 of coverage each month
Example: $100,000 of coverage would cost $8.30 per month.
Spouse life insurance rates are based on the covered employee's age, not the spouse's age.
Rates for ages 35–39
Employee supplemental life
$0.055
per $1,000 of coverage each month
Example: $100,000 of coverage would cost $5.50 per month.
Spouse life insurance
$0.094
per $1,000 of coverage each month
Example: $100,000 of coverage would cost $9.40 per month.
Spouse life insurance rates are based on the covered employee's age, not the spouse's age.
Rates for ages 40–44
Employee supplemental life
$0.080
per $1,000 of coverage each month
Example: $100,000 of coverage would cost $8.00 per month.
Spouse life insurance
$0.137
per $1,000 of coverage each month
Example: $100,000 of coverage would cost $13.70 per month.
Spouse life insurance rates are based on the covered employee's age, not the spouse's age.
Rates for ages 45–49
Employee supplemental life
$0.124
per $1,000 of coverage each month
Example: $100,000 of coverage would cost $12.40 per month.
Spouse life insurance
$0.213
per $1,000 of coverage each month
Example: $100,000 of coverage would cost $21.30 per month.
Spouse life insurance rates are based on the covered employee's age, not the spouse's age.
Rates for ages 50–54
Employee supplemental life
$0.184
per $1,000 of coverage each month
Example: $100,000 of coverage would cost $18.40 per month.
Spouse life insurance
$0.317
per $1,000 of coverage each month
Example: $100,000 of coverage would cost $31.70 per month.
Spouse life insurance rates are based on the covered employee's age, not the spouse's age.
Rates for ages 55–59
Employee supplemental life
$0.288
per $1,000 of coverage each month
Example: $100,000 of coverage would cost $28.80 per month.
Spouse life insurance
$0.495
per $1,000 of coverage each month
Example: $100,000 of coverage would cost $49.50 per month.
Spouse life insurance rates are based on the covered employee's age, not the spouse's age.
Rates for ages 60–64
Employee supplemental life
$0.432
per $1,000 of coverage each month
Example: $100,000 of coverage would cost $43.20 per month.
Spouse life insurance
$0.743
per $1,000 of coverage each month
Example: $100,000 of coverage would cost $74.30 per month.
Spouse life insurance rates are based on the covered employee's age, not the spouse's age.
Rates for ages 65–69
Employee supplemental life
$0.748
per $1,000 of coverage each month
Example: $100,000 of coverage would cost $74.80 per month.
Spouse life insurance
$1.285
per $1,000 of coverage each month
Example: $100,000 of coverage would cost $128.50 per month.
Spouse life insurance rates are based on the covered employee's age, not the spouse's age.
Rates for ages 70 and above
Employee supplemental life
$0.748
per $1,000 of coverage each month
Example: $100,000 of coverage would cost $74.80 per month.
Spouse life insurance
$1.285
per $1,000 of coverage each month
Example: $100,000 of coverage would cost $128.50 per month.
Spouse life insurance rates are based on the covered employee's age, not the spouse's age.
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Dependent Child Life Insurance
- You may elect $10,000 of life insurance coverage for your eligible dependent children.
- No health questions are required. Eligible children may be covered from live birth through the end of the month in which they turn 26.
- Coverage costs a flat monthly rate of $0.118 per $1,000 for life and AD&D coverage ($1.18), regardless of the number of eligible children you cover.
Eligibility
- Be sure to enroll all eligible dependent children. Coverage can continue until your youngest covered child reaches age 26.
- A dependent child who is not an eligible employee may be covered under Supplemental Child Life by only one employee. If two employees covered under the UVA Life Insurance Plan are eligible to cover the same dependent child, the child may be covered under the Supplemental Child Life election of only one employee.
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Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
You may purchase supplemental Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage for yourself, your spouse, or your children.
The monthly cost is $0.018 per $1,000 of coverage.
AD&D provides an additional benefit when a covered death or certain serious injuries result from a covered accident.
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Employee supplemental life insurance is reduced beginning at age 65
- Ages 65–69: 65% of elected coverage
- Ages 70–74: 50% of elected coverage
- Age 75 and older: 35% of elected coverage
For example, if you elect $200,000 in coverage, your coverage would become $130,000 at ages 65–69, $100,000 at ages 70–74, and $70,000 at age 75 and older.
Spouse life insurance follows the same reduction schedule. The reduction is based on the employee's age, not the spouse's age.
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MetLife Advantages
Employees enrolled in supplemental life insurance have access to additional MetLife Advantages services at no additional cost, including:
- Will preparation
- Estate resolution services
- Funeral planning and discounts
- Resources to help you and your family prepare for important life events
Eligible employees may also have access to one-on-one estate planning assistance with an attorney, either in person or by phone.
MetLife Advantages Resources -
You may be able to continue your group term life insurance after leaving the University
You may be able to continue your group term life insurance after leaving the University by paying premiums directly to MetLife.
You can continue eligible coverage through the portability option without answering health questions.
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Questions and Resources
For help with life insurance coverage, enrollment, beneficiaries, or the transition to MetLife, contact AskHR at AskHR@virginia.edu or 434-243-3344.
MetLife Resources for 2027
UVA: Life, Disability and Leave Materials
Information on current vendor, The Standard, through December 2026
Open Enrollment FAQs
Dates and Next Steps
- Open Enrollment begins on Monday, October 5 and remains open until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, October 16
- You will receive a task in your Workday Inbox on October 5 to get started
- After open enrollment ends, benefit changes will be limited to Qualifying Life Events
- On January 1, 2027, the elections you made during Open Enrollment will take effect
- Any updates to your paycheck deductions will appear on your first 2027 paycheck
Postdoctoral Fellows
The Open Enrollment process for all Postdoctoral Fellows (non-UVA employees) is managed through UVA Human Resources. For additional information specific to Postdoctoral Fellows, contact AskHR@virginia.edu with the subject line "Postdoc Fellow Benefits".