Questions & answers · Life insurance
How do I file an employer life insurance claim after a death, and how long does the plan have to answer?
Life insuranceHow to fileChecked Nov 6, 2026
From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-06 · Source: govinfo CFR 2024 · 29 CFR 2560.503-1 · § 2560.503-1(f)(1) View original ↗
In short
- A plan under this rule must tell you a denial within 90 days, with one exception.
- If the plan denies, you get at least 60 days to appeal.
- The sources do not say if a life plan is under this paragraph. Don't know yet.
What this means
The federal claims rule has a general paragraph. It says that if a claim is wholly or partly denied, the plan must tell you within a reasonable time. That is no later than 90 days after it gets the claim [1]. Paragraphs (f)(2) and (f)(3) of the rule are carved out of it [1].
The plan can take longer only if special circumstances require it. It must send you written notice of the extension before the first 90 days end [1].
If the plan denies the claim, you must get at least 60 days after you receive the notice to appeal [2]. The sources here do not say if your life plan is covered by this paragraph. Don't know yet.
Your next step
Send the claim to the plan and keep proof of the date. The sources set 90 days for a denial notice, and at least 60 days to appeal after you receive the notice.
Check it yourself
The sources do not say which papers a life claim needs (a death certificate is not mentioned there): "Don't know yet" - the plan's claim form lists them. Whether your life coverage is a plan under this rule: "Don't know yet".
Where this comes from (2)
[1] govinfo CFR 2024 · 29 CFR 2560.503-1 · § 2560.503-1(f)(1) · checked 2026-11-06
Except as provided in paragraphs (f)(2) and (f)(3) of this section, if a claim is wholly or partially denied, the plan administrator shall notify the claimant, in accordance with paragraph (g) of this section, of the plan's adverse benefit determination within a reasonable period of time, but not later than 90 days after receipt of the claim by the plan, unless the plan administrator determines that special circumsta…
[2] govinfo CFR 2024 · 29 CFR 2560.503-1 · § 2560.503-1(h)(2)(i), (h)(3)(i), (h)(4) · checked 2026-11-06
Provide claimants at least 60 days following receipt of a notification of an adverse benefit determination within which to appeal the determination;
How we found this
We matched your question to 2 official sources, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-06.
What we don’t know yet
Your own plan or notice may say something different. If your letter cites another rule, send it and we will look again.
Every answer is checked against the official rule it quotes.
Information only — not legal advice. Your plan, insurer or agency decides.
This answer quotes the official sources listed above, with the date we checked them. Your own policy, notice and state rules control. We are not your lawyer or your insurer. We don’t file, argue or negotiate claims for you — you send any letter or form yourself.
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