WAEPA, For Feds, Since 1943

At Worldwide Assurance for Employees of Public Agencies (WAEPA), we’ve provided Civilian Federal Employees and their loved ones with dependable life insurance since 1943. While times have changed, our mission to promote the health, welfare, and financial well-being of our members has remained the same.

A Walk Through WAEPA’s History

1943

Our Mission Begins

War Agencies Employees Protective Association (WAEPA) emerged as an affordable life insurance provider for Civilian Federal Employees serving in war zones during World War II. These Feds were offered up to $10,000 coverage, based on salary.

1943-1945

Lauchlin Currie Serves as WAEPA’s First President

Currie was named the White House economist under Franklin Delano Roosevelt. He also served as the Deputy Administrator for the Foreign Economic Administration. It was during this time at the FEA that he became a founding member of WAEPA, known then as the War Agencies Employees Protective Administrations. Currie served as WAEPA’s first president from May 1943 until June 1945.

1945

Premium Refunds Launched

Insured members received WAEPA’s first premium refund.

1949

AD&D Coverage Offered

Members were provided $10,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage for free.

1954

Retirees Received Coverage

Retired members benefitted from insurance coverage.

1961

For Feds and Families

Optional dependent coverage was offered.

1961

We Are WAEPA

War Agencies Employees Protective Association is simply renamed to WAEPA.

1986

Coverage Amounts Increased

WAEPA introduced new group term plans for life insurance, providing up to $300,000 in life insurance for members and up to $100,000 in life insurance for spouses.

1994

Couples Covered Longer

Coverage for members and their spouses was extended to age 75.

1997

More Premiums in Pockets

Premiums were reduced for members age 45 through 59.

1997

Here for Longer

Member coverage was extended from age 75 to age 80.

1999

Premiums Reduced Again

Premiums were reduced for members ages 40 through 74.

1999

Love Birds for Life

WAEPA furthered its protection to members’ and U.S. Government employees’ loved ones by offering spousal coverage.

2000

Coverage Increased Again

Group Term Life Insurance coverage amount increased to $500,000 for members and up to $250,000 for spouses.

2002

Protection for New Feds

Protection with Guaranteed Issue coverage was offered to newly hired federal employees.

2006

New Coverage Milestone

Group Term Life Insurance coverage amount grew to $750,000.

2006

Invested in Education

WAEPA launched its Scholarship Program to financially support insured members’ children.

2015

Insurance Rates Reduced

All members under age 40 benefitted from reduced rates.

2015

World-Class Resources for Federal Employees

WAEPA partnered with the National Institute of Transition Planning (NITP) to host educational webinars for federal employees wanting to learn more about financial and retirement planning.

2016

Reduced Rates Expand

All members age 40 and over benefitted from reduced rates.

2017

Welcoming New York Life

New York Life Insurance Company became the sole underwriters for WAEPA Group Term Life Insurance*. With the change, coverage limits grew from $750,000 to $1.5 million for members and up to $500,000 for spouses.

2017

Financial Wellness with Ernst & Young

WAEPA partnered with Ernst & Young (EY) to provide a Financial Wellness Planning program to members.

2017

Our Group Gathered

WAEPA hosted its first Member Meeting in Washington, D.C.

2018

Living Benefits Launched

Chronic Illness Rider (CIR) Introduced to membership.

2019

Protection for Furloughed Feds

Premiums waived for all members during the historic government furlough.

2021

Paycheck Protection Launched

Group Short-Term Disability Insurance introduced to membership.

2022

Rates Are Reduced

Premiums lowered across multiple age bands and coverage amounts.

2022

QuickDecision Group Term Life Insurance

WAEPA adds QuickDecision to the application process, greatly speeding up the underwriting process.

2022

Expanding Our Membership

WAEPA’s coverage offered to both current and former Civilian Federal Employees.

2023

Compass Rose Benefit Group Acquisition

WAEPA finalizes a strategic acquisition of the Group Term Life Insurance book of business from Compass Rose Benefits Group (CRBG).

2023

50,000 Membership Milestone

WAEPA’s membership of Civilian Federal Employees and their families reaches 50,000.

2023

Automatic Benefit Increase Rider

A second optional rider is offered as an add-on to Group Term Life Insurance coverage.

2024

QuickDecision Group Short-Term Disability Insurance

WAEPA expands our QuickDecision underwriting process to include the Group Short-Term Disability Insurance product.

Kevin R. Cooke, Jr.

President of the Board, member of the Audit and Finance Committee, and member of the Performance and Compensation Committee

Kevin has spent 25 years building his career with the federal government, currently working with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Meet Kevin

Jean Moody-Williams

Vice President of the Board, Chair of the Performance and Compensation Committee

Jean is a distinguished professional, Licensed Registered Nurse, published author, and longtime federal servant most recently with the Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services.

Meet Jean

James Brent, Jr.

Secretary of the Board, Chair of the Governance Committee, and member of the Performance and Compensation Committee

James spent three decades with the federal government, including positions at USDA and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, prior to retiring.

Meet James

Gregg Treml

Treasurer of the Board, Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee, and a Member of the Products and Services Committee

Gregg’s federal career includes leadership roles in budget, finance, and human resources before joining the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.

Meet Gregg

Paul A. Pollock

Board President Emeritus, member of the Audit and Finance Committee, and member of the Performance and Compensation Committee

Paul’s extensive career with the Naval Facilities Engineering Command has taken him all across the world.

Meet Paul

Tia N. Butler

Chair of the Products and Services Committee and member of the Governance Committee

Tia was a public servant for nearly 20 years, serving in Senior Executive Service positions, prior to her current role with the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

Meet Tia

Jamie H. French

Member of the Audit and Finance Committee and member of the Products and Services Committee

Jamie is the Division Director for the Division of Grants and Agreements at the National Science Foundation (NSF).  Prior to joining NSF, she was a senior policy analyst at the Department of Justice.

Meet Jamie

Paul Huang

Member of the Governance Committee and member of the Products and Services Committee

Paul served in senior executive roles with the federal government for many years prior to her current position with OST, Inc.

Meet Paul

Winona Lake Massie

Member of the Performance and Compensation Committee and member of the Products and Services Committee

Winona has over 18 years of experience in leadership at the federal, state, and local levels, with most of her career spent with USDA.

Meet Winona

James McDonald

Member of the Audit and Finance Committee and member of the Governance Committee

Dr. James McDonald is a member of the Senior Executive Service, currently serving as the Director, Air and Radiation Division, for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6 in Dallas, Texas.

Meet James

Emily Su

Member of the Governance Committee and member of the Products and Services Committee

Emily is the U.S. Department of Labor’s Deputy Solicitor for National Operations. During her career with the federal government, Emily has served in positions at DOE, USDA, DOT, and DHS.

Meet Emily

Teresa Thomas

Member of the Audit and Finance Committee and member of the Governance Committee

Terri has a 40-year tenure with the Department of Labor, current serving as the Associate Administrator for Administrative Operations of the Wage and Hour Division.

Meet Teresa

Shane Canfield

Chief Executive Officer

M. Shane Canfield brings more than 25 years of experience in insurance and nonprofit leadership to WAEPA. In his role as WAEPA CEO, Shane is responsible for strategic planning and leadership, managing stakeholder relationships, and serving our Board of Directors in organizational oversight.

Meet Shane

Stephanie Baker

Chief Experience Officer

Stephanie Baker is an accomplished leader with more than 25 years of service operations experience in the insurance industry. She supports WAEPA by leading the Member Services staff, the largest department in the organization.

Meet Stephanie

Laurie Lee

Chief Financial Officer

Laurie Lee brings more than 25 years of executive-level experience in strategic planning and leadership. She joined WAEPA in 2019 after serving as CFO in the nonprofit sector for nearly two decades. Her expertise is in the development and execution of management strategy, leading financial operations, and streamlining financial procedures to create the best business practices.

Meet Laurie

Stacy Outlaw

Chief Marketing Officer

Stacy Outlaw is an award-winning marketing executive, bringing more than two decades of experience to WAEPA. She specializes in new product development, brand strategy, and digital transformation. She joined WAEPA in 2017, after working in the corporate and nonprofit sectors.

Meet Stacy

David West

Chief Information Officer

David West is a dynamic and strategic IT leader with over 15 years of success in driving organizational growth through the development and execution of forward-thinking IT strategies.

Meet David

Tony Zerante

Chief Strategy Officer

Tony Zerante has an extensive, 25-year background in insurance and nonprofit organizations. As our Chief Strategy Officer, he leads New Product Development, Strategic Growth Opportunities and heads our Member Billing Services team.

Meet Tony

Disclaimer

Underwritten by New York Life Insurance Company, 51 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10010 on Policy Form GMR-FACE/G-30280-0
*Group Term Life Insurance is not available in the following US Territories: American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, Micronesia, Marshall Islands, and Palau.
**Louisiana residents please contact WAEPA Member Services at (800) 368-3484 for more information on applying for coverage.
***Michigan Residents: I understand that I may use a producer/agent to assist me with the completion of this application at no cost to me.