Duke provides a death benefit in the event of the death of an eligible employee. Employees regularly scheduled to work at least 30 hours a week and faculty regularly scheduled to work 40 hours a week are eligible for the benefit after one year of full-time service. The benefit amount is equal to one month's pay for each year of full-time service, up to a maximum of six months. Duke pays the entire cost. The coverage terminates at retirement or termination of employment from Duke. The Survivor Benefit (also as the "gratuity to spouse" or "estate plan") provides a lump sum benefit to your spouse, registered same-sex spousal equivalent, or your estate in the event of your death while you are employed by Duke.

Eligibility

You are covered under this plan if you are an active employee regularly scheduled to work at least 30 hours per week or a faculty member regularly scheduled to work 40 hours a week, and have at least one year of full-time service at Duke. In addition, the employee must be regularly scheduled to work at least 30 hours per week and the faculty member must be regularly scheduled to work at least 40 hours a week at the time of death. House staff are not eligible for this plan.

The benefit is lost if your hours are reduced below full-time status, upon termination, and at retirement. Eligibility is also lost while the employee is on an unpaid leave of absence, but continues for a full-time faculty member on an approved sabbatical leave as well as for the employee on long term disability who is receiving benefits under Duke's long term disability plan.

An employee covered by a collective bargaining agreement isn't eligible for coverage for this plan, unless coverage was mutually agreed to in the bargaining agreement.

Benefit Amount

The plan provides one month's pay for each complete year of full time service up to a maximum of six months of pay. The benefit amount is reduced by any amount you may owe Duke at the time of death, such as loans and travel advances or an overpayment made to you under Duke's long term disability plan.

Enrolling

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you are automatically covered under this plan.

Funding

Duke pays the entire cost of the plan from its general assets. You don't have to pay any premiums for the benefit.

Claims & Appeals Procedure

Your beneficiary or the executor or administrator of your estate may file a claim for a benefit by giving the plan administrator sufficient proof of your death. The plan administrator may also request submission of sufficient evidence of the right of your beneficiary or the executor or administrator of your estate to receive the benefit payable under the plan.

Duke reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to modify, suspend or terminate this program at any time, for any reason.