The most widespread form of life insurance is for personal use and usually protects a family financially if their loved one dies. Life insurance can also be used to cover the economic repercussions any business may see if a key person in the business died suddenly.
Many businesses mitigate this need using split dollar life insurance which is an agreement created between at least two parties that will share the benefits and ownership of this permanent life insurance and its cash value component. Typically we see whole life or indexed universal life as the preferred policy type.
Split-dollar insurance contracts are typically used by companies to mitigate the financial risk that results when a key employee or key executive in the company dies or as a part of an executive compensation package.
How Split Dollar Life Insurance Works
Split-dollar life insurance is a type of insurance policy that is jointly owned by two people. The benefits of the policy are typically split between the two owners, with each owner receiving a share of the death benefit based on their investment in the policy.
This type of arrangement can be beneficial for both parties involved, as it allows each person to share in the benefits of the policy while still maintaining some control over their own financial future.
How it Works for Employers and Employees
The arrangement can be structured in a number of ways, but typically the employer pays the premiums and the employee is the policy beneficiary. In some cases, the premiums may be deducted from the employee’s pay.
There are several advantages to a split-dollar life insurance arrangement for both employers and employees. For employers, it can be a way to attract and retain key employees, as well as provide them with valuable death benefits. For employees, it can provide financial security for their loved ones in the event of their death.
One of the main advantages of a split-dollar life insurance arrangement is that it can be structured to meet the specific needs of both the employer and employee. For example, an employer may want to provide coverage for a key employee who is essential to the business, but may not be able to afford to do so on their own. A split-dollar arrangement allows the employer to share the cost with the employee.
Although the life insurance that funds the split-dollar plan is generally straightforward there are five areas that must be agreed upon before instituting the plan:
- Which party will be the Payor?
- Which party will be the policy owner?
- Who will be listed as beneficiaries?
- How will the policy’s cash value and death benefit be divided between the parties?
- What circumstances will result in the plan being terminated?
Using Split Dollar Life Insurance in Estate Planning
Split-dollar agreements can also be a great tool when used for estate planning because of the tax benefits that it provides to the insured and beneficiaries.
With a split-dollar life insurance policy, the premiums are paid by the policyholder and the beneficiary. The death benefit is then divided between the two parties. The main advantage of this type of policy is that the premiums are paid with after-tax dollars, so the death benefit is not subject to estate taxes.
Another advantage of split-dollar life insurance is that it can be used to create an inheritance for your beneficiaries without affecting your estate tax exemption. For example, if you have a $5 million estate and you want to leave $2 million to your children, you could purchase a $2 million split-dollar life insurance policy. The premiums would be paid with after-tax dollars, so your estate would still qualify for the estate tax exemption.
Moreover, by using an irrevocable life insurance trust, the contracts that are created will protect the life insurance proceeds from estate taxes.
If you are considering using split-dollar life insurance in your estate planning, talk to an advisor here at Ogletree Financial to see if it makes sense for your situation.
The Pros and Cons
When it comes to split-dollar life insurance, there are pros and cons to consider. On the one hand, this type of insurance can be a great way to provide financial security for your loved ones in the event of your death. On the other hand, there are some potential drawbacks you should be aware of before making a decision.
Advantages
One of the biggest advantages is that it can be used to help fund a wide range of financial goals. For example, if you have young children, you may want to use it to help pay for their education.
Or, if you are nearing retirement, you may want to use split-dollar life insurance to help supplement your retirement income.
Another advantage of split-dollar life insurance is that it can provide significant tax advantages. In most cases, the death benefit from a life insurance policy is tax-free. This means that your beneficiaries will not have to pay any taxes on the money they receive from your policy. This can be a huge advantage, especially if your beneficiaries are in a higher tax bracket than you.
Disadvantages
Because of the multiple options and the flexibility of a split-dollar insurance plan, it can be confusing to individuals, employees, and employers.
As far as income tax implications, the parties involved will generally need the help of a CPA to complete the reporting required by the IRS.
