Firefighters

As of January 1, 2023, Sun Life is the carrier for the City of Milwaukee’s life insurance plan.

This plan design only affects Sworn Fire employees. 

For active eligible Sworn Fire employees there are three types of benefits:

• Basic Life Insurance – all eligible employees are automatically enrolled for a basic coverage of $55,000 the premiums for which are paid for by the City.
• Voluntary Life Insurance – purchased by the employee at If you are an eligible active Swown Fire employee, intend to retire, and would like to carry group life insurance while retired, you MUST be enrolled in at least 50% of your annual base salary in voluntary life insurance coverage at the time of retirement.

   

   

  If you are an eligible active Sworn Fire employee and intend to retire in the future, and would like to carry group life insurance while retired, at the very latest, you must sign up for voluntary life insurance during the open enrollment period in the year prior to which you retire. Your coverage as a retiree will be limited to the amount of life insurance that you purchase as an active employee.

   

  For 2023 Open Enrollment Only (October 24, 2022 to November 11, 2022): The EOI requirement is being waived for this year by the carrier.  Employees may increase to, or elect, any level of coverage up to 300% of their annual base salary (capped at $300,000) without being subject to the EOI process.  Coverage will go into effect 1/1/2023.

   

  Furthermore, if you are not enrolled in voluntary life insurance, and decide to enroll in later years, you will need to provide Evidence of Insurability (EOI) to Sun Life. The EOI is a medical questionnaire plus other medical information or examinations that may be needed by the insurance carrier before allowing a person to purchase voluntary coverage.

   

  If you maintain a minimum of 50% of your annual base salary at the time of retirement in voluntary coverage until age 65, upon attaining age 65, $10,000 of your coverage will be paid for by the City. As a retiree, when you reach age 65, you may discontinue your voluntary coverage, or continue it at your discretion. You will still have the $10,000 City-paid coverage.

  NOTE: YOUR RETIREE COVERAGE WILL BE LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT OF VOLUNTARY LIFE INSURANCE THAT YOU PURCHASE AS AN ACTIVE EMPLOYEE.

   

  Please click on the links below for additional information:

             Group Life Insurance Rates (2017)

  Summary of Benefits for Sworn Fire and Police Employees in the MPA

  Life Insurance Beneficiary Designation Form

  Explanation for Imputed Income

   

  Detailed information regarding the life insurance plan is available by calling ERS at 414-286-6157 and leave a message on the Group Life Insurance Hotline.