Voluntary Benefits
Coverage that pays cash directly to you — including $50 a year, per person, just for having a routine screening.
These are extras you choose and pay for yourself
Unlike your medical, dental and life coverage, voluntary benefits are optional. They pay cash directly to you when something happens — money you can spend on anything, including the costs insurance does not cover: the deductible, time off work, childcare, travel to treatment.
Enroll during open enrollment, when you first become eligible, or after a qualifying life status change.
Accident
Pays a set amount for covered injuries and the treatment that follows — from an ER visit to a fracture to physical therapy.
- Accidental death
- $25,000 employee
- Common carrier death
- $50,000
Accident only — it does not cover illness. Portable to age 70.
Critical Illness
Pays a lump sum on diagnosis of a covered condition. You pay 100% of the cost.
- Employee
- $5,000 – $30,000
- Spouse
- $2,500 – $15,000
- Children
- $2,500 – $5,000
In $5,000 increments for employees. Spouse and child amounts cannot exceed 50% of yours.
Pet insurance — Spot
Helps with veterinary costs for dogs and cats. Offered since 2025.
The $50 you can claim just for a check-up
Accident includes a Wellness Screening Benefit
If you have Accident coverage, $50 is payable once per benefit year — and separately for you, your spouse and each child — simply for having one of a long list of routine screenings done.
Qualifying screenings include a lipid panel, Pap smear, mammography or clinical breast exam, colonoscopy or faecal occult blood test, PSA or digital rectal exam, skin cancer screening, fasting blood glucose or HbA1c, ECG, cardiac stress test, chest x-ray, echocardiogram, carotid Doppler, immunizations — and even an interscholastic sports physical.
You need to tell Equitable which test was performed. A family of four could claim $200 a year for screenings most of them are having anyway.
This benefit belongs to Accident, not Critical Illness
Worth stating plainly because the two are usually elected together: the Critical Illness plan has no wellness or health-screening benefit. Only Accident does.
Extra life insurance for you and your family
On top of the employer-paid Basic Life, you can elect additional coverage for yourself, your spouse and your children.
| Employee | Spouse | Child | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AD&D maximum | Matches your life maximum | $25,000Not to exceed 50% of the employee amount | $10,000 |
| Age reduction applies | Yes, matches Basic Life | Yes | None |
| Common Carrier Benefit | Included | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Rehabilitation / physical therapy | Included | Included | Included |
Elect the full amount at your first enrollment
Critical Illness is guaranteed issue at initial enrollment only — no health questions, up to the full maximum. If you increase the amount at a later open enrollment you may be asked for evidence of insurability.
The same principle applies across voluntary coverage generally: the cheapest and easiest time to elect is when you are first eligible, while your health is not a question.
Plan documents
All voluntary lines except pet insurance are through Equitable.
Cost detail
Your actual per-paycheck cost for Accident and Critical Illness coverage is shown in Paylocity during enrollment.