Beneficiaries

Taking time to update beneficiary information is very important. A beneficiary is the person or entity named to receive the life insurance benefit in the event of an individual's passing.

• A primary beneficiary would receive benefits from a life insurance policy or estate if an employee dies while covered.
• A secondary beneficiary would receive benefits if all primary beneficiaries are unable to.

Active Employees

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

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 beneficiary information for other individual life coverage policies (such as Universal Life coverage through Transamerica), for retirement plans or health savings account, please update that 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 for retirees, LTD Recipients or COBRA.