Supplemental Life Insurance

Supplemental Life Insurance with MetLife Insurance

County of Alameda (County) employees with the exception of TAP and SAN may elect to purchase Supplemental Life Insurance coverage. Employees must meet the definition of Active Service to be eligible. Employees pay the full cost for this coverage.

  • Employee Supplemental Life maximum will increase to the lesser of 5-times annual salary or $1 million.
  • For Non-Management employees, the Guaranteed Issue is the lesser of 3-times annual salary up to $300,000 and for Management employees, the Guaranteed Issue is the lesser of 3-times annual salary up to $500,000.
  • You may elect to purchase life coverage for your spouse/domestic partner and eligible dependent children.
  • The Spouse Life maximum will increase from $150,000 to $250,000.
  • The Dependent Life maximum is $15,000.
  • Premiums are based on your age and the coverage level you select.
  • You must designate a beneficiary for the Supplemental Life Insurance benefit but may make changes to your beneficiary designation at any time.

​When Coverage is Subject to Imputed Income Tax by the IRS

If your Basic Life plus Supplemental Life Insurance benefit is over $50,000, you are subject to imputed income tax by the IRS. (Imputed income is the value the IRS assumes you would have to pay to purchase a similar policy in the private market.) The IRS requires the County to add the income value associated with the benefit coverage over $50,000 to your pay for tax purposes. The additional taxes you owe as a result are withheld from your paycheck.

When Statement of Health is Required

Those wishing to purchase Supplemental Life Insurance coverage in excess of the “Guaranteed Issue” are required to document their health status by providing “Statement of Health” (EOI) medical underwriting (i.e., information documenting an acceptable health status) to qualify for this extra coverage.

Non-Managers -Eligible employees considering enrollment in the Supplemental Life Insurance plan may enroll on increments of $10,000 up to the lesser of 3-times their annual salary or $300,000.

Managers - Eligible employees considering enrollment in the Supplemental Life Insurance plan may enroll on increments of $10,000 up to the lesser of 3-times their annual salary or $500,000.

NOTE: With evidence of insurability, employees except for TAP and SAN may purchase coverage up to 5-times annual base earnings to a maximum of $1,000,000.

  • Spouse Life: Coverage for managers’ spouses above the Guaranteed Issue of $100,000 and Non-Managers Guaranteed Issue of $50,000.
  • Spouse/Domestic Partner Life Insurance: If you purchase Supplemental Life Insurance coverage for yourself, you may purchase coverage in $10,000 increments for your eligible spouse/domestic partner. You may elect up to $250,000 in coverage; however, the coverage you purchase for your spouse/domestic partner cannot exceed your Supplemental Life coverage amount.
    Premiums are based on your spouse’s or domestic partner’s age and the coverage level you select. You are automatically the beneficiary of this coverage.
  • Dependent Child Life Insurance: If you elect Supplemental Life Insurance coverage for yourself, you may elect to purchase dependent child life insurance for your eligible dependent children in one of the amounts below:
    • $5,000
    • $10,000
    • $15,000

Premium costs vary based on the option you choose and, as a voluntary benefit, you pay the full cost for Supplemental Life Insurance coverage.  You are automatically designated as the beneficiary for this benefit.

Refer to the following rate sheets for the costs that are effective as of February 1, 2027.