Group life insurance is a nice work perk, but it usually doesn't provide enough coverage.
You likely receive some kind of life insurance at work. It’s a common perk. Eighty-five percent of companies offer group life insurance benefits to employees, according to a 2018 report by the Society for Human Resource Management.
If your employee benefits include group life insurance, you might be wondering whether you should have life insurance outside of work.
One of the biggest misconceptions about life insurance is that if you have coverage through work, you’re set. That’s not usually the case, especially if you own a home or have children.
Group life insurance can be a nice addition to your benefits package, especially if it’s free or nearly free. But these policies can sometimes fall short if you have a growing family or your life insurance needs change throughout your career.
What is employer-provided life insurance?
Employer-provided life insurance is group life insurance that’s offered by your workplace. It’s called group life insurance because it’s offered to a large group of people, such as yourself and your coworkers, rather than an individual.
Your employer owns the policy and they may pay some or all of the premiums. Coverage is usually guaranteed and enrollment may be automatic or you may have to wait until open enrollment to sign up. There’s no medical exam and everyone who’s covered under the policy enjoys the same premium rate.
Group policies usually offer coverage amounts of one to two times your annual salary. Your employer may give you the option to buy more coverage. Just know that you’d have to make up the cost difference for any supplemental coverage and a medical exam might be required.
Where employer-provided life insurance falls short
The great thing about employer-provided life insurance is that it’s often a free benefit. And if you do have to pay something towards the policy, the premiums may only be a few dollars a month. Besides covering yourself, you may also be able to get coverage for your spouse or children.
There are downsides, however. First, supplemental coverage can get pricey and getting life insurance through your employer could end up being more expensive than a policy purchased directly from a life insurance company.
Next, the coverage limits offered may not be high enough to meet your needs. If your employer’s policy tops out at $250,000, but you’d feel more comfortable with $500,000 in coverage, that’s a life insurance gap you’d need to fill.
Finally, employer-provided life insurance is tied to your employment status. If you change jobs, your coverage could be terminated or you may have to pay a fee to take it with you.
How much life insurance coverage do you need?
To decide whether employer-provided coverage is adequate, you first need to understand how much life insurance you need. The final number depends largely on whether you’re married or have children, and what you want life insurance to do for your loved ones.
If someone depends on you financially, such as a spouse and kids, or your parents co-signed on student loans or other debts, experts typically recommend having 5 to 10 times your annual income in life insurance. That’s a big difference from the one to two times your annual salary that’s standard with employer-provided life insurance.
Relying solely on the insurance offered by your employer could leave you and your family substantially underinsured. You may want to leave money behind to help with any number of final expenses – funeral costs, lingering debts, future college tuition, or simply the day to day costs of living. Those goals could be hindered by a too-small policy.
How much does group life insurance cost?
Rates for group life insurance vary from employer to employer, so it’s difficult to nail down concrete numbers outside of your company’s plan. A better way to look at this question is in terms of how much value you’re getting with your coverage.
Generally, the younger and healthier you are when you buy an individual life insurance policy, the more affordable the premiums will be. With group life insurance coverage, your age and health could work against you because you may end up paying more to make up for the risk insurers assume by guaranteeing coverage to older, less healthy employees. On the other hand, if you’re older or have a preexisting health condition, a group term life policy through your employer could save you money since it’s guaranteed coverage that doesn’t require a medical exam.
Group life insurance lacks portability
When you buy a term life insurance policy, you expect it to be there when you need it. But if your employer-provided policy is job dependent, you can’t always take it with you.
You may be able to continue any supplemental insurance you’ve purchased through your company if you move on to a new employer, but that involves an added cost. If you’re able to convert your policy to make it portable, there’s often a rate increase. The insurer may assume that you can’t get coverage independently. Essentially, you’re paying a higher rate to make up for the additional risk the insurer takes on.
For that reason, employer-provided life insurance is less flexible than coverage purchased independently. If you’re considering an employer’s group life policy, read the fine print to ensure you understand how your policy is affected if you leave your job.
When does group term life insurance make sense?
A life insurance policy from your employer may seem ideal, especially if it comes at no cost to you. With group life insurance, there’s no research or guesswork involved. Your employer presents you with policy options, you decide which one you want, fill out the paperwork and boom–you’re covered.
Qualifying for supplemental insurance coverage through your work may also be easier because of the cushion provided by group rates. And not having to complete a medical exam is a time-saver.
Price
Price-wise, basic group life insurance can be a bargain if it’s included in your benefits package. Supplemental life insurance can trigger additional premiums, but it may be an affordable option for older or less healthy people.
When deciding whether to accept basic group life insurance or apply for a supplemental policy through your employer, consider your insurability. Since group policy rates are negotiated on behalf of a wider pool of individuals, having a medical issue or certain health risk factors could help you unlock more cost-effective premiums than you could find on the open market. Again, be sure to do your research on how much individual life insurance policy might cost you to ensure you’re getting the most value possible.
Convenience
Group life insurance is hard to beat for convenience. Your employer has already done the research and comparison shopping, they’ve negotiated the premiums and in many cases, enrolling in coverage is free. You may have to fill out a few forms and select your beneficiaries but other than that, it’s a low-intensity way to get life insurance. And having some coverage in place is better than having none at all.
Extra coverage
If you already have a life insurance policy, having additional group coverage provided by your employer is a nice problem to have. If you pass away unexpectedly, your family will appreciate having multiple policies in place to help them handle their financial needs when they can no longer count on your income.
Why you should consider buying a personal life insurance policy
Group life insurance can certainly be a good deal but having just an employer’s policy alone isn’t in your best interest. It’s convenient, yes and it’s also inexpensive, but there are notable downsides to only having employer-provided coverage.
If you’re unsure whether your employer-provided life insurance is enough, the smartest step to take is determining whether it covers your needs. If you have a group plan or a supplemental plan that only provides a year or two of income replacement, buying more coverage is usually the way to go.
Think of life insurance coverage as a safety net for your family. You want to be sure your loved ones are financially protected if the unexpected happens. Employer-provided life insurance is a step in the right direction, but don’t limit yourself to your company’s coverage alone.
After all, life happens. You may switch jobs, get laid off, experience a disability or retire early. Life insurance outside of work can help position you to navigate different life stages and changes without putting your family’s financial security in jeopardy.
For more information about Life Insurance call JCT Insurance Agency at (626)354-2000 or email jctfinancialsvc@gmail.com