Benefits payable because of your death will be paid to the beneficiary you name. Beneficiary means a person you name to receive death benefits. Dismemberment benefits will be paid to you if you are living. Any dismemberment benefits which are unpaid at your death will be paid to your beneficiary.

2. Naming a Beneficiary

You may name one or more beneficiaries. Two or more surviving beneficiaries will share equally, unless you specify otherwise. You may name or change beneficiaries at any time without the consent of a beneficiary.

You must name or change beneficiaries in writing. Your beneficiary designation:

a. Must be dated and signed by you;

b. Must be delivered to the Plan Administrator, A&I Benefit Plan Administrators, during your lifetime;

c. Must relate to the insurance provided under the group policy; and

d. Will take effect on the date it is delivered to the Plan Administrator.

You may obtain a beneficiary designation form by calling the Plan Administrator, A&I Benefit Plan Administrators. The Plan Administrator's address and telephone number can be found here.

3. Simultaneous Death Provision

If a beneficiary dies on the same day you die, or within 15 days thereafter, benefits will be paid as if that beneficiary had died before you, unless proof of loss with respect to your death is delivered to Standard Insurance Company before the date of the beneficiary's death.

4. No Surviving Beneficiary

If you do not name a beneficiary, or if you are not survived by one, benefits will be paid in equal shares to the first surviving class of the classes below:

a. Your spouse;

b. Your children;

c. Your parents;

d. Your brothers and sisters; and

e. Your estate.

5. Methods of Payment

Benefits will be paid to the recipient (person who is entitled to benefits under this Benefit Payment and Beneficiary Provisions section) in a lump sum.

To the extent permitted by law, the amount payable to the recipient will not be subject to any legal process or to the claims of any creditor's representative.