Beneficiaries

Taking time to update your beneficiary information is very important. A beneficiary is the person or entity you name to receive the life insurance benefit in the event of your passing.

• A primary beneficiary is who you would wish to receive benefits from your life insurance if you die while covered.
• A secondary beneficiary will receive benefits if all primary beneficiaries die before you do.

Active Employees

Active employees can update beneficiary information in the benefits enrollment system.

• Log on and click "My Profile".
• From the My Profile menu, select "Beneficiaries".

Please note that beneficiary information held by GW applies to the life and AD&D coverage through Lincoln Financial and the active employee death benefit only. In order to update your beneficiary information for other individual life coverage policies (such as Universal Life coverage through Transamerica), for your retirement plans or your health savings account, please update your beneficiary information directly with the respective provider(s).

Retirees, LTD Recipients and COBRA

Beneficiaries for the GW group life insurance plans are maintained by the GW Benefits office. Retirees and LTD Recipients can update beneficiary information by completing a new Beneficiary Designation Form (PDF) and returning the completed form to GW Benefits.

Retirees, LTD Recipients and COBRA participants who have converted or ported any life insurance coverage as well as LTD recipients on an approved life waiver of premium claim should process beneficiary changes directly with the life insurance provider. 

Important: Beneficiary changes made in the benefits enrollment system (bswift) will not be recognized for purposes of life insurance claims.