Title
Award of Contract for Group Life Insurance to Standard Life Insurance Company as Proposed by Gallagher Benefits Services (B)
This item involves a request for the City Commission to approve the selection of Standard Life Insurance Company as the provider for Group Life Insurance Benefit.
Explanation
The City of Gainesville provides employer paid life insurance to all regular employees who work twenty hours or more and all retirees. The benefit varies based on the employee's base salary. Most employees receive two times their annual base salary, up to a maximum benefit of $50,000. For example, if an employee's base salary is equal to, or greater than $25,000 per year, they will receive the maximum benefit of $50,000.
The City issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Group Life Benefits in 2006 for a three year term, but was interested in rate guarantees beyond the initial three year term As a result of this process, the City received twenty-six different options proposed by six different agents. The proposals were evaluated by staff based on the following criteria:
Cost - (Rate per $1000 of benefit) 60%
Administrative Capabilities and Experience 20%
Financial Stability (AM Best rating) 20%
Total 100%
Using the above criteria, staff rated the proposal submitted by Standard Life Insurance Company through Gallagher Benefits Services as the lowest qualified proposal. The proposal of 12.2 cents per thousand was substantially less than any other proposal. The coverage offered is identical to the coverage currently provided and Standard agreed to cover all employees/retirees that are eligible whether actively at work or not. In addition, Standard Life Insurance Company has guaranteed the rate of 12.2 cents per thousand for three years and included a carrier option to extend the rate guarantee for an up to an additional two year period. Despite a negative loss history, the carrier has agreed to extend the rate guarantee for one additional plan year. To date, the total realized savings related to the group life has been approximately $450,000 over the three year initial rate guarantee period. Accepting the carrier's offer to extend the rate guarantee for the additional year will bring the total reduction in the cost of this benefit to $600,000. The current rate is still 50% lower than the previous rate and represents four consecutive fiscal years without an increase in the cost of this benefit.
Fiscal Note
Funds of approximately $180,000 have been included in the proposed Fiscal Year 2010 Employee Health and Accident Benefits Fund operating budget.
Recommendation
The City Commission: authorize 1) to extend the contract for Group Life Insurance to Standard Life Insurance Company as proposed by Gallagher Benefit Services for one additional year beginning October 1, 2009; 2) the issuance of a Purchase Order in an amount sufficient to cover the applicable charges for Group Life Insurance; and 3) the City Manager or designee to negotiate and execute, subject to the approval of the City Attorney as to form and legality, a contract with Standard Life Insurance Company and Gallagher Benefits Services.