You Have Options
Employers usually offer two types of group term life insurance plans for their employees: Group Paid Life and Supplemental Voluntary Life. The group paid coverage is tax free for the employee, up to $50,000. The supplemental life is fully paid by the employee but is convertible, or portable, depending on the policy, which allows them to keep the policy intact, even if leaving their employer.
On occasion an employer will offer voluntary Whole Life insurance. This type of life insurance lasts for the duration of a person’s lifetime, without an age reduction, may even accrue cash value over time and is also portable. However, unlike term policies, whole life policies are extremely expensive and have strict underwriting requirements, which is why most employers shy away from this type of contract.
Term Life insurance policies, on the other hand, have guaranteed face amounts and are very reasonably priced. For this reason, Group Term insurance is the overwhelming favorite among employers.