Employee benefits - Ohio

Summary of differences between federal and state regulations

Employee benefits are generally covered under the federal jurisdiction of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).

Federal ERISA plans generally do not have to comply with state laws. ERISA rules preempt or block state laws that relate to ERISA plans. State insurance laws, however, do apply. Ohio has laws governing group life insurance, which include such provisions as the following:

Employers must have at least two employees.

Employer may not be the beneficiary.

When the premium is paid by the employer and employee jointly, and coverage is offered to all eligible employees, not less than 75 percent of the employees may be covered.

Grace period of 31 days.

If the group policy terminates, every person insured at the date of the termination who has been covered for at least five years prior to the termination date is entitled to have issued an individual policy.

State

Contact

Ohio Department of Insurance

Regulations

Ohio Revised Code – Group Life Insurance - Title XXXIX, Chapter 3917

Federal

Contact

Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)

Regulations

29 CFR chapter XXV (Parts 2509 – 2590)