This section provides you with answers to the most frequently asked questions about the International Agricultural Research Centers Death and Disability Benefit Plan (the Plan) provided by Utmost Worldwide Limited. To learn more about the plan benefits, you can review the IARC Death & Disability Benefit Plan Explanatory Booklet.
What is the Plan?
The purpose of the Plan is to provide eligible employees, other personnel, and their families with adequate protection in the event of death, dismemberment, or
disability.
The Standard Life, Accidental Death and Dismemberment, and Long-Term Disability insurances are provided through Utmost in Guernsey, Channel Islands. The Plan currency is U.S. dollars (USD) and all benefits are paid in US dollars.
Who is eligible?
All individuals employed and nominated by the participating Centers as well as the employees’ dependents are eligible to participate in the death and disability benefit. In accordance with the Rules of the Plan, the following are considered eligible dependents:
- The lawful spouse or non-married partner in accordance with your Center policy;
- Any unmarried child younger than age 26; and
- A handicapped child of any age.
What events are covered under the Plan?
The following events are covered under the Plan:
- For employees:
- Death in service benefit (Life);
- Accidental death and dismemberment benefit (AD&D); and
- Long-term disability benefit (LTD).
- For dependents of full- and part-time employees:
- Accidental death under the AD&D policy.
What is the amount of the life benefit?
If you are a full- or part-time employee of a Center, the death benefit offered is equal to 3 or 5 times your annual base salary, rounded to next higher $1,000; or if you are a short-term employee or long-term consultant of a Center, the death benefit offered is a flat fixed amount of $50,000 or $100,000. The Center will provide you with your employment status upon enrollment into the Plan, and the benefit amount for which you are eligible. Please review the IARC Death & Disability Benefit Plan Explanatory Booklet and/or contract for any benefit reductions based on age 70 and over. Please note that the salary of part-time employees shall be deemed as the pro-rated salary (the amount actually paid to them).
What is the AD&D benefit?
The accidental death and dismemberment benefit is provided in case of death or dismemberment occurring within 180 days of an accident. In the unfortunate event of your death due to an accident, your beneficiaries would receive a lump sum Accidental Death payment equal to your annual base salary multiplied by 3 or 5 depending on your Center and rounded to next higher $1,000, or a flat fixed amount of $50,000 or $100,000 as outlined in your contract with the Center. The Accidental Death payment is in addition to the Life benefit payment discussed previously.
If death results from an accident for which dismemberment has already been paid, the amount of the dismemberment benefit is then deducted from the accidental death benefit payable.
In the event, you suffer an injury or disabling loss (dismemberment) due to an accident, you would receive a lump sum accidental dismemberment benefit determined as a percentage of the full accidental death benefit. Please refer to the IARC Death & Disability Benefit Plan Explanatory Booklet, for a wide range of medical injuries and losses covered by the Plan for disabling events. Please note that there is no equivalent accidental dismemberment benefit for dependents.
What is the Long-Term Disability (LTD) benefit?
LTD is a monthly benefit payable in the event that, due to either sickness or accident, you are totally unable to perform your usual occupation and after 30 months any suitable occupation.
You will receive 70% of your monthly salary earned prior to disability less other income as noted in the IARC Death & Disability Benefit Plan Explanatory Booklet, plus employer retirement contributions for those Centers participating in the IARC Retirement Plan.
Only full- or part-time employees younger than age 65 are eligible for this benefit. Your Center will notify you of your employment status upon enrollment into the Plan.
When am I eligible for these plan benefits?
Coverage for eligible employees and dependents starts from the day you are accepted as an eligible participant by the IARC Plan. You will be given an IARC Insurance Plan Enrollment Form from your Center for completion. On this form, you will be required to indicate the name of your beneficiaries to whom any plan benefits should be paid in the unfortunate event of your death. Please note that it is important that you keep the form up to date, especially in case of a change in your family status (marriage, birth, divorce, etc.) to ensure that the payments of your benefits are made in accordance with your current wishes.
Am I required to provide medical information?
The Plan offers a level of free coverage to which you are entitled without the need to provide the insurer with any evidence of health. This means that:
- If your benefit does not exceed the maximum Free Cover Limit, you are immediately accepted under the Plan for full benefits.
- If your benefit exceeds the maximum Free Cover Limit, you will need to follow the underwriting process as described in the Explanatory Booklet.
- The maximum Free Cover Limit available under the Plan is as follows:
- for Life Insurance: $1.5 million of benefit
- for LTD Benefit: $300,000 per annum of base salary
If I exceed the Free Cover Limit, what additional forms/information will I need to complete/provide?
To be considered for your full benefit above the Free Cover Limit, you will need to provide medical information to Utmost’s underwriter who will review your case and confirm the terms that may be offered.
Your Center will provide you with a Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ) that you will need to complete and return to your Center, which will forward it to Utmost’s underwriter.
After review of your PHQ, Utmost’s underwriters may need additional evidence to assess your case and may request the completion of a Personal Medical
Attendant’s Report (PMAR). This report is completed by your regular medical practitioner based on your medical history. It is often used to clarify an issue
declared on the PHQ or to confirm past medical history.
A Medical Examiner’s Report (MER) and/or specific laboratory tests may be required by the underwriter:
- based on the details in your PHQ during the initial case review; or
- if the underwriter requires more information following a PMAR.
The examination, which might include laboratory tests, will be arranged with a Utmost approved doctor.
If required, who pays for the additional medical examinations?
Bills for required medical examinations will normally be paid to the medical facility directly by Utmost, subject to the clinic being recommended by Utmost and within its network of clinics.
Can I be denied coverage above the Free Cover Limit?
If your benefit is within the Free Cover Limit, then you are immediately accepted under the Plan for full benefits. If your full benefit exceeds the Free Cover Limit, Utmost will confirm with you the acceptance terms of your coverage as identified in the IARC Death & Disability Benefit Plan Explanatory Booklet.
Will I ever have to go through the underwriting process again?
Once this process has been completed and acceptance terms have been confirmed, you will not need to be underwritten again unless you have a salary increase of over 20% in any 12-month period and if this increase brings your benefit above the Free Cover Limit.
What are the procedures for claims?
You or your beneficiaries should contact your Center and/or AIARC to assist in processing any claims. Detailed procedures for claims can be found in the IARC Death & Disability Benefit Plan Explanatory Booklet.