Plan for Today

Class PresentationsOther Group Insurance

LifeDisabilityCafeteria Plans

A Few Words about GradingCourse Evaluation

Other Group Insurance

Fin 434November 30, 2005

Life InsuranceOver 90% of companies offer full-time employees life insuranceTerm life insurance

Provides death benefit during particular period Widely used in group plans to provide insurance during pre-retirement period

Whole life insuranceDo not terminate until benefits paid to beneficiariesHave a cash value component Much more expensive per $ of coverage

Who Pays?Contributory plans: employees pay the entire premium or share cost with employerNoncontributory plans: employer pays entire premium for coverage (within designated limits)Section 79 of Internal Revenue Code: the cost of employer-provided group term life insurance qualifies as a tax free benefit to employees most plans are noncontributory because tax

benefits are superior

Section 79 Rules

To get tax benefit, policy must:Provide general death benefitBe provided to a group of employeesProvided under policy carried by employerAmount of insurance is based on formula that precludes individual selection. Formula may be based on age, years of service, compensation or position.

Section 79 Tax BenefitAt corporate level, employers may deduct paid premium amount as long as employer is not beneficiary of the policy (this part applies regardless of whether meet section 79 tests)Section 79: Cost of first $50k of insurance is excludable from individual income too Lots of requirements must be met, including nondiscrimination rules

Prohibits employers from discriminating in favor of highly compensated employees

• Okay if cover 70% of all employees• Okay > 85% of participants are not key employees

Ex: UIUC Employee Life Insurance Options

State of Illinois PlanAll full-time employees receive term life insurance in an amount equal to their annual salary, at no cost.Part-time employees also qualify for life insurance, but must share in a percentage of the cost proportionate to their appointment.

Ex: UIUC Life, cont.May optionally purchase additional life insurance up to four times your annual salary. You may also purchase life insurance for your spouse or children.Life insurance enrollment is guaranteed during the 10-day new employee enrollment period. Thereafter, evidence of good health is required to increase your life insurance and to add coverage to your spouse and/or children.University also offers additional term life up to $250,000 (over $30k requires evidence of good health)

Disability Insurance

DI replaces income for employees who become unable to work on a regular basis because of any illness or injuryDuring one’s work life, 1 out of every 3 employees will have a disability that lasts at least 90 daysSocial Security program includes a disability income component

Group Disability

In 1999, 61% of companies offered a short term disability program, and 70% offered a long-term plan (6 months is cutoff)Full benefit often consists of 50 – 70% of salary, subject to a max dollar amount.

Why not 100%?

Waiting periods common

Disability, cont.

Most disability plans integrate with:Workers compensationSocial SecurityPension plan

Tax treatmentEmployer contributions tax deductible and not included in employee taxable incomeEmployee contributions not deductibleWhen benefits are paid, it is partially taxable (the part paid by employer contributions)

Ex: UIUC Disability Income Plan

Disability benefits are provided through the State University Retirement System

Requires 2 years participation for illness, no minimum for accidentWaiting period: benefits begin 60 days after disability (or after sick leave benefits end)Benefits: 50% of base salaryBenefit Duration: Benefits payable until total benefits received equal 50% of earnings while in the system

Ex: Supplemental DisabilityNew employees guaranteed coverage if apply within 60 days of employment. Benefits coordinated with SURS so that a total benefit of 66.67% of earnings, up to max of $7,500/month is paid.

Pays 66.67% during first 2 years if illnessThen pays 16.67% (SURS pays 50%)

Premiums based on age and benefit amountNote: most private sector plans integrate with Social Security disability (vs. SURS)

Ex: UIUC Vision Care

Vision Care Plan is automatically provided at no cost to all insured employees and dependents who are enrolled in any of the health plansCoverage for eye exams (1x per year), eyeglass lenses and frames or contacts (1x every 2 years)

Cafeteria PlansFlexible benefit plans that allow employees to direct some of their tax-favored compensation into benefits of their choice

About 25% of employers with >500 employees offer• Less common among smaller employers

Give employees fixed dollar amount that they can allocated themselves

Can choose between qualified benefits or cashCannot be deferred compensation except for 401(k)Can even buy extra vacation time