Split Dollar Life Insurance
Definition of "Split dollar life insurance"
Policy in which premiums, ownership rights, and death proceeds are split between an employer and an employee, or between a parent and a child. The employer pays the part of each year's premium that at least equals the increase in the cash value. The employee may pay the remainder of the premium, or the employer may pay the entire premium. When the increase in cash value equals or exceeds the yearly premium, the employer pays the entire premium. If the employee dies while in the service of the employer, a beneficiary chosen by the employee receives the difference between the face value and the amount paid to the employer (the cash value or the total of all premiums paid by the employer- whichever is greater). Thus, during employment, the employee's share of the death benefit decreases. If the employee leaves the employer, the latter has the option of surrendering the policy in exchange for return of all premiums, or selling the policy to the employee for the amount of its cash value. There are two types of split dollar life insurance policies: Endorsement-the employer owns all policy privileges; the employee's only rights are to choose beneficiaries and to select the manner in which the death benefit is paid. Collateral-the employee owns the policy. The employer's contributions toward the premiums are viewed as a series of interest-free loans, which equal the yearly increase in the cash value of the policy. The employee assigns the policy to the employer as collateral for these loans. When the employee dies, the loans are paid from the face value of the policy. Any remaining proceeds are paid to the beneficiary.
Popular Insurance Terms
Law that provided for federal crime insurance. Because private insurance is not available for business owners and residents of certain high-crime areas, the act provides that the federal ...
The right to purchase insurance without physical examination; the present and past physical condition of the applicant are not considered. ...
Waiver of an impairment of an applicant for health insurance by attaching an endorsement to the health insurance policy stating that the policy will pay no benefits in connection with the ...
In workers compensation insurance policies and several business property and liability policies, review of the payroll of a business firm in order to determine the premium for coverage. ...
Clause in liability insurance policies stating that the insurance company has a legally enforceable obligation to pay all claims and defend all suits (even if groundless) up to the policy ...
Exchange of a new policy for one already in force. ...
Law that places limitations on an uninsured motor vehicle owner or motor vehicle operator's ability to recover damages in the event of a motor vehicle accident. The state of Louisiana ...
Coverage for paintings, pictures, etchings, tapestries, art glass windows, antique furniture, coin collections, and stamp collections owned by individuals and businesses. These works are ...
Injuries that afflict the tendons, bones, muscles, and nerves of the back, hands, arm, shoulders, and neck. These are the fastest growing areas of workers compensation claims. The symptoms ...
Have a question or comment?
We're here to help.