Dead Peasants Insurance: What It Is and How It Works

Dead Peasants insurance, also known as Corporate-Owned Life Insurance (COLI), is a type of life insurance that companies take out on their employees. In a Dead Peasants policy, the employer is the beneficiary, while the employee’s family receives nothing.

How Does Dead Peasants Insurance Work?

When an employer takes out a Dead Peasants policy, they pay the premiums and assume the risk. If an employee dies, the employer receives a lump sum payout from the policy. This payout can be used for any purpose, such as to offset the costs of training a new employee or to fund executive compensation plans.

It’s important to note that employees are often not aware that their employer has taken out a Dead Peasants policy on them. In some cases, the employer may be required to provide notice or obtain consent from the employee, but this is not always the case.

The History of Dead Peasants Insurance

The practice of companies taking out life insurance policies on their employees dates back to the early 1900s, when it was known as “janitor insurance.” This type of policy was often taken out on low-level employees, such as janitors or other manual laborers. The company would pay the premiums and receive the payout if the employee died.

Over time, the practice evolved and expanded to include all types of employees. Today, Dead Peasants insurance is often taken out on executives and other high-level employees, as well as low-level workers. In some cases, it can be a significant source of revenue for companies.

Pros and Cons of Dead Peasants Insurance

Proponents of Dead Peasants insurance argue that it can provide a valuable source of revenue for companies, particularly in industries with high turnover rates or where employees are exposed to certain risks (such as in the mining or oil and gas industries). It can also be used to fund employee benefit plans, such as pensions or health insurance.

Opponents, however, argue that Dead Peasants insurance is an unethical practice that takes advantage of employees and their families. They argue that employees should have the right to know if their employer has taken out a policy on them, and that the proceeds of the policy should go to the employee’s family, not the employer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dead Peasants Insurance

Q: Is Dead Peasants insurance legal?

Yes, Dead Peasants insurance is legal in the United States, although there are some restrictions and regulations governing its use. Employers may be required to provide notice or obtain consent from employees in certain states.

Q: How much does Dead Peasants insurance cost?

The cost of Dead Peasants insurance varies depending on a variety of factors, such as the age and health of the employee, the amount of coverage, and the length of the policy. Some policies can cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars per year in premiums.

Q: Can employees opt-out of Dead Peasants insurance?

It depends on the company’s policy. In some cases, employees may be able to opt-out of Dead Peasants insurance by signing a waiver or completing an opt-out form. However, in other cases, it may be mandatory for all employees to be covered under the policy.

Q: Who benefits from Dead Peasants insurance?

In a Dead Peasants policy, the employer is the beneficiary and receives the payout if the employee dies. The employee’s family receives nothing.

Q: Are there any alternatives to Dead Peasants insurance?

Yes, there are alternative ways for companies to insure against the loss of key employees, such as through Key Person insurance or through policies that provide a lump sum payout to the employee’s family.

Conclusion

Dead Peasants insurance is a controversial practice that has been used by companies for over a century. While it can be a valuable source of revenue for businesses, it also raises ethical concerns about the treatment of employees and their families. If you are an employee, it’s important to be aware of the policies in place at your company and to understand your rights and options.