The Basics
Group-term life insurance is coverage that employers offer to employees only. Coverage may be employer- or employee-paid. Often, employers offer a specified benefit (flat fee or percentage of salary) that is cost-free for employees, then offer the option for employees to purchase additional coverage. Because spouses and dependents are not covered under this type of plan, some employers also offer a separate voluntary plan to cover these individuals if employees choose.
Advantages
This coverage is generally very affordable for employers, because the group plan spreads the risk over many people so premiums tend to be low. Plus, if you take the time to educate employees about the importance of life insurance, offering this coverage can increase employees’ appreciation of their benefits package. Group-term life insurance is also advantageous for employees. Employees get coverage that is either employer-paid or at least cheaper than a policy purchased in the individual coverage market. Another big advantage for employees is that most group-term plans do not require health assessments. Employees purchasing individual coverage often face premiums contingent on the results of a medical exam—or may even be denied coverage on that basis.
Tax Implications
Group-term life insurance coverage is deductible by employers as a business expense, unless the employer is a beneficiary of the policy. Employees may also generally exclude coverage up to $50,000 from their income. Coverage above that amount must be included in an employee’s income and is subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes. There are some exceptions and special considerations to this rule; see the IRS website for more details. The plan may not discriminate in favor of key employees regarding their eligibility to participate or the amount of benefits available to them. If the plan does discriminate in favor of key employees, those employees are not able to exclude their first $50,000 in coverage from gross income.
Plan Requirements
In order to qualify as a group-term life insurance plan under IRS rules, the plan must meet all of the following conditions:
- The plan must provide a general death benefit that is excludable from the gross income of the beneficiary when paid.
- Coverage must be offered either to all employees or a smaller group of employees only if group membership is determined solely on the basis of the following:
- Marital status
- Union membership
- Job duties
- Compensation
- Length of service
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