ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP
Higher Coverage for Spouses
Apply for up to $1.5 million in coverage on your own WAEPA policy.
With WAEPA, you have two options for spousal coverage – dependent coverage or an Associate Membership. Becoming an Associate Member is a smart option for you and your spouse if you’re seeking higher coverage amounts and benefits than dependent coverage.
A POLICY OF YOUR OWN
Benefits of an Associate Membership
Among WAEPA’s many life insurance options for Federal employees, we are proud to offer exclusive coverage to spouses of Feds.
Lower Cost
Depending on your age, applying for an Associate Membership may cost less than being insured as a dependent. Use our calculator to determine your rates.
Higher Coverage Amounts
With an Associate Membership you can apply for up to $1.5 million in Group Term Life Insurance. This is higher than the dependent spouse coverage limit of $500,000. You’re also eligible to apply for Group Short-Term Disability Insurance.
Additional Benefits
Becoming an Associate WAEPA member gives you easy access to unique and useful member benefits, including premium refunds*, free financial planning, and much more.
Is Associate Member Coverage Right for You?
An Associate Membership may be beneficial if you and your spouse don’t have children as dependents on your policy or if you’re younger than your spouse. In many scenarios, an Associate Member coverage can best support your needs. See if it’s right for you.
Scenario 1
Wendy is married to a Civilian Federal Employee who’s a WAEPA Member. Wendy and her spouse don’t have children, and Wendy is younger than her spouse. Wendy is eligible to join WAEPA as an Associate Member and get coverage based on her age rate. As such, Wendy’s coverage as an Associate Member costs less than her coverage as a dependent on her spouse’s plan, since dependent coverage would be billed at her spouse’s age.
Scenario 2
Kari is married to a former Civilian Federal Employee who’s a WAEPA Member. Kari and her spouse don’t have children, but Kari is older than her spouse. As such, it would cost her more if she were covered on her own policy as an Associate Member. However, she still may choose to apply for an Associate Membership for up to $1.5 million, since dependent spouse coverage is limited to 50% of a WAEPA Member’s coverage amount.
Scenario 3
Rick is married to a Civilian Federal Employee who’s a WAEPA Member. Rick and his spouse have children. Since his spouse’s dependent coverage is under a group rate, and they pay the same amount to cover their dependent children and Rick, it wouldn’t cost less for Rick to become an Associate Member.
Questions? Call us at(800) 368-3484, M-Th 8:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. ET, F 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why apply for an Associate Membership?
As an Associate Member your spouse can apply for up to $1.5 million in Group Term Life benefits, and up to $6,500 in Short-Term Disability benefits which provides more coverage than dependent coverage.
How much are my dependents covered?
Spouses can receive $10,000 to $500,000 of coverage and children can receive $1,000 to $25,000 of coverage.
What happens to my existing dependent coverage?
A person cannot be insured under more than one policy with WAEPA at any given time. If you convert your coverage to an Associate Member policy, you’ll no longer be insured as a dependent under your spouse’s policy. WAEPA will ensure that there’s no gap in your coverage during that transition.
Can I be denied coverage?
If you apply for more than you’re currently insured for as a dependent, it’s possible that your application for a separate policy could be denied during the underwriting process. If that’s the case, you’ll remain insured under the dependent coverage on your spouse’s policy.
What happens to the dependent coverage if we also have children?
If the dependent coverage you’re currently insured under also insures your children, the children will remain insured as dependents on the existing policy in the event that you begin separate coverage. However, since dependent coverage is priced at a group rate, it may not be as beneficial for you to become an Associate Member. We recommend comparing your current premiums to our rate chart to make sure this move benefits your family.
Can I change my mind after I submit the application?
Until your new policy goes into effect, you’ll remain insured as a dependent, so nothing about your existing coverage will change. If at any time during the process you decide to cancel the application, you may contact our Member Services team, and your coverage as a dependent won’t be impacted.
Applying is Simple!
Once you determine the coverage amount for your needs, it’s simple application process to get approved for a WAEPA policy. Our straightforward process ensures you’re guided every step of the way.
Apply for Coverage
Complete your application online. Make sure you have important information available before you start: beneficiaries, Social Security Number, medical history, and payment info.
After Applying
Most applicants apply online and receive a decision in minutes, without any medical exam or blood test.
If additional review is needed, our underwriting team may request more information to complete your application. This process can take 4–6 weeks depending on the information required.
What Happens Next?
Applicants who receive an immediate decision will see their result at the end of the application process. If additional review is needed, we’ll notify you by email or mail once your application has been reviewed.
Disclaimers
Underwritten by New York Life Insurance Company, 51 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10010 on Policy Form GMR-FACE/G-30280-0.
WP-AM-0526-29
*Premium refunds are not guaranteed.
**New York and Utah residents are not currently eligible for QuickDecision.
***Group Term Life Insurance is not available in the following U.S. 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.