Many older policies and employer benefit materials still reference Great-West Life and Annuity Insurance Company. Over time, branding and corporate structures shifted, and Empower is now widely known for retirement and benefits administration. That transition has created confusion for beneficiaries who are trying to file a life insurance claim under a policy that still says Great-West.
If your paperwork references Great-West Life and your claim has been denied or delayed, the key is to identify the issuing entity on the policy and focus on the exact contractual terms that govern the claim.
Most Great-West Life Claims Involve Employer Coverage
Great-West issued a substantial volume of group life insurance through employers. Many disputes involve workplace coverage rather than individually purchased policies.
Common issues include:
Active at work requirements
Eligibility based on scheduled hours
Effective date of coverage
Evidence of insurability approval
Coverage amount calculations tied to salary
These cases often turn on plan documents and employment records rather than medical underwriting alone.
Active Employment Disputes
One of the most common denial reasons involves whether the insured met the plan’s definition of active employment at the time coverage became effective.
The insurer may argue:
The employee was on medical leave
The employee reduced hours below the plan threshold
Coverage was elected but never became effective
Employment ended before the effective date
Payroll records, leave documentation, and the summary plan description are critical in these disputes.
Evidence of Insurability Issues
Supplemental life coverage often requires approval of evidence of insurability. If an employee elected higher coverage but approval was pending or incomplete, the insurer may deny the portion above the guaranteed issue amount.
Key questions include:
Was evidence submitted
Was it formally approved
Were premiums deducted before approval
Did the employer communicate the status correctly
In some cases, payroll deductions continued for coverage that was never properly activated.
Conversion and Portability Disputes
When employment ends, group life policies often allow conversion to an individual policy within a specific timeframe. Denials may arise when:
The insured did not receive clear notice of conversion rights
The conversion deadline was missed
There was confusion about portability versus conversion
The employer failed to provide required forms
Timing in these cases can be decisive.
Lapse and Notice Problems
If Great-West or its successor asserts that coverage lapsed, examine:
The plan’s grace period provisions
Notice requirements under the policy
Whether notice was sent to the correct address
Payroll records showing premium deductions
In group policies, employer errors frequently contribute to lapse disputes.
What to Request After a Great-West Denial
To properly evaluate the denial, request:
The complete claim file
The full group policy and certificate
The summary plan description
The administrative record
Enrollment forms
Evidence of insurability submissions and approvals
Payroll records reflecting premium deductions
Internal claim notes
For individual policies issued under the Great-West name, also request the original policy and any amendments.
Employer Administrative Errors
Many Great-West related denials stem from administrative breakdowns rather than intentional wrongdoing.
Common examples include:
HR failing to transmit enrollment forms
Incorrect hire dates
Salary miscalculations affecting coverage amounts
Failure to notify employees of evidence requirements
When payroll deductions were taken but coverage is later denied, those records can become central evidence.
Appeal Deadlines
If the policy was employer sponsored, strict internal appeal deadlines may apply. Missing those deadlines can significantly limit the ability to challenge the denial later.
Appeals should be thorough, as the administrative record may be closed after that stage.
When a Great-West Life Denial Can Be Challenged
Denial letters often cite plan provisions and state that coverage was not in force. That does not automatically resolve the issue.
Disputes frequently focus on:
Whether plan definitions were properly applied
Whether evidence of insurability was correctly handled
Whether conversion rights were adequately communicated
Whether employer administrative errors affected coverage
Each case depends on the specific plan language and employment history. A careful review of the policy documents and administrative record is essential before deciding how to proceed.
If your Great-West Life insurance claim has been denied and the policy is now associated with Empower, understanding the underlying group policy terms and employer records is the first step toward evaluating your options.