FAQs

Resolution Life Australasia Limited is the policy's insurer for these benefits.

All permanent employees, or employees on a fixed term contract of 2 years, working 15 hours or more per week at Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand and are aged 16 to 64 years old.

Please refer to the policy wording and terms including full eligibility criteria and definitions.

The insurance offered in these policies are designed to help protect your family, to help clear debts or mortgages and to protect your future income earning capacity. Insurance is a risk management tool that protects you and your family should the unexpected occur.

The benefits provide a sum of money that can be used to clear debts such as mortgages, pay for medical treatment, set up an education fund, pay funeral costs, replace income or to make necessary provisions for the future.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The insurances offered here are not a personalised full financial plan for you and your family. These employee benefits should be considered a starting point for your personal risk needs. You should seek advice from a financial adviser, for personalised advice.

The insurance is based on group policy rates which are generally much lower than retail policies. The lowest premium cannot be guaranteed for any particular age, gender or cover, now or in the future.

Most people should be able to see lower premiums than the equivalent retail rates.

Premium savings may vary depending on age and cover selected.

Yes, there are voluntary top-up options for employees as follows:

For new employees there is an option to increase cover to the following levels without the need for medical assessment:

•  Life Insurance: $50,000, $100,000, or $150,000
•  Critical Illness: $5,000 or $10,000
• Income Protection: From a 2 year benefit, to a 5 year benefit

These top-up benefits will be paid by the employee, by way of a pay-roll deduction. Existing employees have a limited opportunity during the month of March 2022 to opt in to these benefits.  Any new employees will have 30 days from the start of their employment to opt-in to these benefits. Contact Mercer Marsh Benefits (see below) for details.

Outside of this timeline, employees can increase their cover up to the following amounts at concessionary rates, but with medical assessment. Acceptance of these benefits is not guaranteed, and the insurer reserves the right to charge higher premium due to pre-existing health conditions:

•  Life Insurance: $50,000, $100,000, or $150,000
• Critical Illness: $5,000 or $10,000
• Income Protection: From a 2 year benefit, to a 5 year benefit

The amount of premium is calculated based on your age, gender and the amount and type of cover selected. The premium payable will then be calculated, and deducted, in alignment with your salary pay cycle.

Each year on the policy's renewal date, your premium will be adjusted in line with your age and salary.

If any deductions are missed during the policy's year you will remain liable for the missed premium amounts.

Missed premiums could put any potential claims at risk.

Yes, your premiums will change at the policy's annual renewal date in line with your age, salary and cover level at that time.

The underlying risk rate tables are fixed, usually every three years.

Your annual base salary.

Additional income such as incentives, allowances and bonuses are not included.

Which salary figure is used for the insurance benefit calculations?

Your annual base salary.

Additional income such as incentives, allowances and bonuses are not included.

Please email the team at Mercer Marsh Benefits to cancel your policy.

As long as you remain an eligible employee of Te Whatu Ora, and you pay your premiums, your insurance will continue until the first of the following happens:

• You leave your employment (continuation options will be available, subject to certain age and occupation constraints), whilst a member of the plan.
• Your 65th birthday (for Income Protection & Trauma Insurance), whilst a member of the plan.
• Your 70th birthday (for Life Insurance), whilst a member of the plan.
• The group plan is discontinued.

The following cover(s) would cease in the event of a claim being paid:

• Life/terminal illness
• Trauma

If your wage deductions cease and you have not taken up a continuation option the cover will cease 45 days after the date your last wage deduction was made.

It is your responsibility to notify Mercer Marsh Benefits if you leave employment and wish to avail of the continuation option.

Continuation Option

Cover continues while on unpaid leave (Leave Without Pay/ LWOP), for up to 12 months.

If you leave this employer (Te Whatu Ora) after joining the plan you are entitled to a continuation option. If you move to another Te Whatu Ora branch you may transfer your benefit(s) if the branch is participating in this plan. If you transfer to another Te Whatu Ora office NOT operating the voluntary group insurance plan then the continuation option may be taken.

In some instances Mercer Marsh Benefits may require approval from the plan insurer, prior to transfer.

Continuation options are subject to age and occupation constraints and are only available for a short period time after you cease employment.

It is your responsibility to notify Mercer Marsh Benefits if you leave or transfer to another unit.

Continuation Option

Please contact Mercer Marsh Benefits immediately if you no longer meet the plan eligibility i.e.

• work less than 15 hours per week,
• reached age 70 (life cover) / age 65 (income protection and trauma cover),
• or your employment terms have changed.

Please refer to the policy wording and terms including full eligibility criteria and definitions.

For more information, please contact Mercer Marsh Benefits.

Please refer to the policy documents to obtain the annual renewal date for your voluntary group insurance plan.

If you have existing cover there are a number of factors to consider before cancelling or reducing any existing insurance. We recommend seeking advice from a qualified Financial Adviser. The adviser who provided your original policy is a good starting point.

Mercer Marsh Benefits has a number of Financial Advisers who are available to provide advice if required.

Please contact Mercer Marsh Benefits if you wish to speak to one of our Advisers.

In the event of a claim, or potential claim, please contact your HR Consultant or Mercer Marsh Benefits.

If a person dies without making a will, he or she is said to have died "intestate".