Co-Founder, TermInsuranceBrokers.com, Goldenzweig Financial Group, Las Vegas, Nevada
Group life insurance is life insurance coverage for an employee that is paid for by their employer - the amount is generally for coverage up to the employee’s salary, or a multiple of their salary (e.g. 1.5x or 2x salary).Additional coverage is sometimes offered for an additional cost to be paid by the employee. The cost for additional coverage may be lower for a younger person (in their 20’s, 30’s, or 40’s), but group coverage most often has premiums banded in 5 year intervals. For example, a given rate is charged for someone between ages 35-39, a higher rate for 40-44, and so on.
Please note, while there's many great aspects to group coverage, there's also big limitations to it as well:
1) You don't own the coverage
2) Coverage is limited. If you want a larger amount of coverage, you will need to purchase an individual policy to provide the supplementing amount.
3) If you leave the company, you lose your coverage - this is a HUGE item to keep in mind and a tremendous reason to buy an individual policy. You may have slightly higher premiums with an individual policy, but the pros are substantial - e.g. even if you quit or are fired from the company, you can keep coverage going.
4) If you leave your company, some group coverage may allow you to convert your policy to a permanent program to keep it going. However, it is generally extremely expensive to do so and the premiums can be much higher than securing an individual policy.
5) The cost of insurance as you get older on a group policy (e.g. age 55, 60, 65, etc.) becomes very expensive compared to the cost of buying an individual one. You may want to ask for a list of rates for current employees at those ages as well as retired employees that keep their coverage.
President, The Firm of Steven H. Kobrin, LUTCF, 6-05 Saddle River Rd #103, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
Group life insurance is an employee benefit sponsored by an employer. My feeling is that it should be treated as ”icing on the cake,” meaning that it cannot be considered the main source of security for your family. You have no control over the price you pay - or even if the policy will be in force next year.
Better to get your own policy and maintain coverage on your own terms. Make sense?
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Please note, while there's many great aspects to group coverage, there's also big limitations to it as well:
1) You don't own the coverage
2) Coverage is limited. If you want a larger amount of coverage, you will need to purchase an individual policy to provide the supplementing amount.
3) If you leave the company, you lose your coverage - this is a HUGE item to keep in mind and a tremendous reason to buy an individual policy. You may have slightly higher premiums with an individual policy, but the pros are substantial - e.g. even if you quit or are fired from the company, you can keep coverage going.
4) If you leave your company, some group coverage may allow you to convert your policy to a permanent program to keep it going. However, it is generally extremely expensive to do so and the premiums can be much higher than securing an individual policy.
5) The cost of insurance as you get older on a group policy (e.g. age 55, 60, 65, etc.) becomes very expensive compared to the cost of buying an individual one. You may want to ask for a list of rates for current employees at those ages as well as retired employees that keep their coverage.
Better to get your own policy and maintain coverage on your own terms. Make sense?