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Many jobs come with a benefits package on top of paid wages or salary — things like, health insurance, dental insurance, and 401(k) retirement accounts. Employer life insurance may also be included in a benefits package to give an employee’s beneficiaries some added financial security in the event of their death.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 98% of workers with access to employer life insurance choose to participate. But is life insurance offered through your employer enough to take care of your loved ones if you pass away?

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to financial planning and purchasing life insurance. Depending on an individual’s unique situation and financial goals (or obligations), the amount of life insurance coverage needed can vary from person to person.

To help determine how much life insurance is right for you, let’s break down the basics of employer life insurance and how different policies might work in practice.

What Is the Typical Coverage Offered?

Commonly, employers that provide life insurance purchase a group term policy for their employees. Term life insurance grants coverage for a specific time period, known as the term, in exchange for regular payments (called premiums) by an employer or the insured employee. Unlike individually purchased term insurance, the term for group insurance is typically the duration of the employ of the insured.

Group term life insurance can also vary by amount. An employer may offer a flat rate of coverage to their employees. Or, in some cases, an employer may calculate the total life insurance coverage according to an employee’s current salary. For example, an employer life insurance policy may pay out one, two, or three times the employee’s annual salary.

While the benefit coverage amount under employer life insurance may vary by salary, you may still qualify for a group policy even if you’re older or have pre-existing conditions and less-than-perfect health. However, note that coverage may lapse when employment ends or if an employee switches from full-time to part-time work. Some companies offer policies that are “portable,” meaning the employee can take the policy with them when/if they leave the employer.

Life insurance could reinforce a long-term financial plan.

If an insured employee dies during the policy’s term, the insurance company is then responsible for paying the coverage amount to the designated beneficiaries, barring a few exceptions, like suicide within two years of the policy start date or death from an exempt hazardous activity (e.g. piloting a plane).

This payment is called a “death benefit,” and can be paid as a lump sum or in installments depending on a policy’s conditions. On the other hand, if an insured employee dies after the insurance term ends, their beneficiaries do not receive a payout of death benefits.

Recommended: What Is Life Insurance & How Does It Work?

How Much Can Employer Life Insurance Cost?

For employers with many employees, obtaining a group life insurance policy parallels wholesale purchasing, meaning that the price per individual is generally less than if each employee paid for their own policy. Therefore, employment life insurance is usually very affordable for employees, if not free, for the most basic coverage.

However, this sort of baseline benefit does not account for additional coverage, which employers may also offer (on top of the standard group policy) at the partial or full expense of the employee.

Determining if extra coverage through an employer is cost effective may depend on several factors, including age, health, income, and number of dependents. For example, smokers can pay up to two or three times more on life insurance premiums than their non-smoking counterparts.

Keep in mind that employer life insurance may be subject to payroll taxes, such as Social Security and Medicare. For any benefits coverage greater than $50,000 that is paid or subsidized by an employer, the total amount exceeding $50,000 would be counted as employee income by the IRS.

The threshold for taxation on coverage for spouses and dependents is significantly lower, at just $2,000. Any employer life insurance plan with coverage above $2,000 would be liable for taxation in its entirety.

Is It Possible to Switch Coverage?

Employer life insurance can be affordable, but it may not be very customizable or flexible.

Since the employer holds the group policy with a specific insurance company, employees do not usually have the individual discretion to shop around for the coverage offered in a benefits package.

Opting for an alternative or supplemental life insurance policy may require undergoing a life insurance medical exam. This exam could consist of a verbal questionnaire with a medical professional and collecting blood and/or urine samples.

Together, medical history and personal information are some of the different factors used to decide whether an applicant is eligible for life insurance coverage.

Information from the medical exam can impact the cost of the eventual insurance premium as well, assuming the applicant is deemed eligible. In this scenario, younger, healthier employees may opt to switch to an individual life insurance policy, since they could obtain a lower rate that may last for decades of coverage.

Since employer life insurance coverage can lapse when employment ends, it may be useful to research various policy options (or speak with a benefits specialist at your job) to ensure coverage is not interrupted when jobs change.

Recommended: How to Buy Life Insurance

What Happens If I Change or Lose My Job?

For many working adults, changing jobs is necessary for career growth and achieving financial goals. But changing or leaving a job may come with some financial challenges beyond a disruption to income. Employer benefits, such as health insurance, 401(k) retirement account, and life insurance may be put on hold or not carry over to a new employer.

Some insurance companies may let you transfer to a new employer’s policy, especially if they are the new employer’s insurance provider. In some cases, it may be possible to convert a former employer’s group term policy to individual term or whole insurance with the same insurance company.

When life insurance had previously been paid for or subsidized by an employer, taking out an individual policy could translate into an increased individual monthly expense. That’s because the policyholder, not the employer, would now be paying the life insurance premiums.

Whole life insurance, sometimes called permanent life insurance, is generally more expensive than term policies, since it can cover an insured individual for life.

What About an Additional Policy?

Employer life insurance could provide at little to no cost basic coverage for a family in the event of an unexpected death. But many people decide to take out additional insurance or expand their coverage through a rider, which is an add-on that allows insured individuals to customize their policy to their needs.

Cost and conditions for riders can vary between insurance providers. The following are some common types of riders that might supplement an existing life insurance policy:

•   Accidental Death Rider: If the insured individual dies from an accident, a greater death benefit is paid out to beneficiaries. This could be advantageous for a working parent to take care of surviving family’s future expenses if the unexpected were to happen.

•   Accelerated Death Benefit Rider: An insured individual could receive a portion of their death benefits while they’re alive if a diagnosed terminal illness is expected to significantly reduce their lifespan. This could help pay for the sudden cost of care and treatment, but might be subtracted from the amount family and beneficiaries receive upon the insured person’s death.

•   Spouse Insurance Rider: This rider can add a spouse to an insured person’s policy instead of taking out separate life insurance for them.

•   Waiver of Premium Rider: This rider can waive the need to pay insurance premiums while maintaining coverage, if an insured person becomes permanently disabled or can no longer work due to an injury or illness. Policyholders who are at risk due to dangerous jobs or family history may find this sort of policy worthwhile.

In addition to considering the perks and costs of riders, comparing term and whole life insurance is helpful for finding the right policy for you.

Determining How Much Coverage You Need

Everyone’s situation is different. And, securing life insurance may provide confidence and reinforce a long term financial plan. To figure out how much life insurance coverage may be needed, it can be helpful to first get an accurate picture of your finances and likely future expenses.

For people with children and dependent family members, a breadwinner’s death could result in lost income that supported essential spending, such as groceries, rent or mortgage payments, and utilities. It could also create additional expenses for childcare or a home health aide, if a surviving parent or caregiver then needs to work.

There are also down-the-road expenses, like retirement and college tuition for children, that could be impacted by the loss of a spouse, partner or parent.

Unpaid debt — such as, a mortgage loan, credit card balances, and student loans — are some long-term payments to factor in — since cosigners or the estate could still be left with the burden of making payments on certain debts. (Note that estate and debt laws vary from state to state).

Death can be accompanied by notable end-of-life expenses, too. On average, funerals cost between $7,000 and $12,000 depending on location and whether the deceased is buried or cremated.

In addition to savings and investments, life insurance can offer a financial safety net and support the future of those left behind.

The Takeaway

Employer life insurance can be an asset to a family’s financial security, as typically it grants coverage for a specific time period. The benefit coverage amount may vary by salary, and older employees or those with pre-existing conditions may still qualify for a group policy. Coverage could expire when your employment ends or if you move from full-time to part-time work. If you need more coverage, you may decide to take out additional insurance on top of your employer life insurance.

If you’re thinking about getting life insurance, SoFi has partnered with Ladder to offer competitive life insurance policies that are quick to set up and easy to understand. You can apply in just minutes and get an instant decision. As your circumstances change, you can easily change or cancel your policy with no fees and no hassles.

Coverage and pricing is subject to eligibility and underwriting criteria.
Ladder Insurance Services, LLC (CA license # OK22568; AR license # 3000140372) distributes term life insurance products issued by multiple insurers- for further details see ladderlife.com. All insurance products are governed by the terms set forth in the applicable insurance policy. Each insurer has financial responsibility for its own products.
Ladder, SoFi and SoFi Agency are separate, independent entities and are not responsible for the financial condition, business, or legal obligations of the other, SoFi Technologies, Inc. (SoFi) and SoFi Insurance Agency, LLC (SoFi Agency) do not issue, underwrite insurance or pay claims under LadderlifeTM policies. SoFi is compensated by Ladder for each issued term life policy.
Ladder offers coverage to people who are between the ages of 20 and 60 as of their nearest birthday. Your current age plus the term length cannot exceed 70 years.
All services from Ladder Insurance Services, LLC are their own. Once you reach Ladder, SoFi is not involved and has no control over the products or services involved. The Ladder service is limited to documents and does not provide legal advice. Individual circumstances are unique and using documents provided is not a substitute for obtaining legal advice.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

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A death benefit is a lump sum payment beneficiaries receive when the owner of a life insurance policy dies. Here are a few other things you should know.

Because of economic uncertainty, some companies have resorted to pay cuts to help cut costs. For the workers affected, it likely means scouring their budgets to trim some of their expenses. Taking a pay cut means facing the reality of no longer living the same financial life.

If you’ve just taken a pay cut — or you’re worried that you might soon be facing one — here are four strategies to handle your finances after your salary is reduced.

1. Update Your Budget

First and foremost, create a budget if you don’t already have one. List all your expenses for weekly purchases, from groceries to gasoline and parking fees. Add monthly bills, including rent or mortgage, car loan, streaming services or cable, cellphone, utility bills, credit cards, student loans, and any other debt such as personal loans.

Next, examine all your expenses to see which ones you can lower or eliminate for the next six months. Add your income and include part-time jobs or side hustles, tax refunds, bonuses, and any child support or alimony. This will help you determine how much money you can spend for necessities, expenses, entertainment, and other things such as doctor visits.

In addition to a budget, create a plan for both short-term financial goals and long-term goals. A plan will help you determine when you can pay off any loans and how much you want to save for something like a down payment on a house.

2. Track Your Spending

You could use a free money tracking app that can help you keep tabs on your spending and help manage your debt. To track your spending, decide if you want to track it daily, weekly, or biweekly. You might try different time periods before you decide on one.

After you track your spending for two or three months, you’ll see a pattern emerge that indicates where most of your money goes.

3. Cut Expenses

One place many consumers can cut costs is from entertainment, such as their streaming services. These can really add up. Canceling all or some of these services can improve your cash flow, which is how much money you have left over at the end of the month.

Another place where you can slash expenses is from your food budget. Consider using digital coupons, shopping at warehouse clubs, or going out to eat for lunch instead of dinner to save money on food.

Your expenses include debt such as credit cards, student loans, and personal loans. Paying more than the minimum balance, refinancing to a lower interest rate. and making extra payments can help you pay down the loan sooner.

Consider refinancing your student loans by checking out both fixed and variable rates. Interest rates are at historic lows. You might be able to pay down your credit card bills faster by taking out a personal loan; those interest rates are often lower. And if that’s the case, the debt could be paid sooner.

Automating your finances can make your life easier. This will also help you avoid paying late fees. You can either have your bills paid automatically through your checking account or set yourself a reminder on your calendar if you have some bills such as utilities that are a different amount each month.

You can also automate your savings. You can have money taken out of your checking or savings account each month and have it automatically invested into your workplace 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account (IRA).

In addition, you could consider opening an online bank account with a high-yield APY. That way, your savings could earn money for you as it’s sitting in your account.

Ways to Save

When your salary has been slashed, there are several ways you can save money immediately and long term.

Call your mortgage, auto loan, utilities, credit card, and student loan companies to see if you can defer loan payments for several months. Skipping a few payments can help you get back on your feet sooner. If the company cannot provide this option, see if the interest rate can be lowered on, say, credit cards.

Check with your local nonprofit organizations. Many provide food or partial payments for utility bills. Look online to see if stores are offering deals. Stock up on staples such as beans, rice, and pasta if they are on sale.

If you are still short of money, you might consider talking to family members and friends about obtaining a short-term loan.

Now might be the time to use credit card rewards for cash, food, or gift cards.

People who have been saving credit card rewards for a vacation might want to go ahead and use them now. Some credit card companies will let you transfer the rewards for cash to your statement or use them for food delivery.

Other companies let you use your rewards to receive gift cards. Using these gift cards at retailers that sell staples and necessities such as food, detergent, and other personal items can help you spend less money.

Many credit cards will give cash back on purchases such as food and gasoline. See which credit cards are the most beneficial for your financial needs before signing up for a brand-new credit card.

Another way to save money is to use cash for gasoline. Some gas stations offer a cheaper price for consumers who use cash. The savings can add up quickly, especially if you have a longer commute.

Finally, each month, look for other ways you can save money. If your credit card company denied your request last month to lower your interest rate, try calling again. Rules can change often.

4. Save for Retirement

While you could skip saving for retirement, it’s ideal to continue socking away some money each month from your paycheck into a 401(k) plan or IRA. The money you stash away for retirement can lower your taxable income, meaning you’ll owe the IRS less.

Continuing to save money for retirement is a good habit, especially if your salary reduction is temporary. Once you stop contributing to a retirement account, it can be difficult to catch up on your retirement savings. If you have your retirement contribution automatically deducted from your checking or savings account, saving for your future is easier.

The Takeaway

While it can be difficult to navigate a pay cut, creating a budget, tracking your spending, shopping for deals, and cutting expenses can help you save and get through a tough time.

In addition, opening a new savings account could help you maximize your money. With SoFi Checking and Savings you’ll earn a competitive APY and pay no account fees.

SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2024 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
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SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.20% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

As an alternative to direct deposit, SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant. SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits are not eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.

Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.

Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 10/31/2024. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

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Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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