Group Life & Disability Insurance for Employees

Five people huddle with hands together over a desk, laughing, in an office with large windows.

Protecting Your People

At Shepherd & Associates, we believe that offering meaningful group life insurance San Francisco, Bay Area and disability coverage signals to your employees that you care about their financial future. These benefits complement health and retirement programs by ensuring income protection when unexpected events occur.

Life Insurance Fundamentals

Typical group life insurance programs consist of employer-paid basic term life (e.g., $50,000 or 1× salary) plus voluntary options for additional coverage. Many plans also include AD&D (accidental death & dismemberment). We help you select coverage amounts, define eligibility, and communicate value to employees.

Disability Insurance Explained

Short-term disability (STD) and long-term disability (LTD) income protection are critical—even more than workers’ comp—for non-work-related injuries or illnesses. In California, state disability insurance (SDI) exists, but group disability plans offer higher benefits and better job protection. We help you choose the right elimination period, benefit percentage and term to match your workforce.

Our Life & Disability Strategy

We assess payroll size, employee demographics and industry trends in the Bay Area to design life and disability programs that align with budget and talent strategy. Also, we handle vendor evaluation, enrollment support and ensure you’re in regulatory-compliance with California mandates and ERISA guidelines.

Life & Disability FAQs

  • How much life insurance should my company offer?

    Many employers offer $50,000 or one-year salary as basic employer-paid coverage and allow voluntary buy-ups—depending on budget and workforce expectations.

  • Is disability insurance necessary if we have workers’ comp?

    Yes—workers’ comp covers on-the-job injuries; disability covers off-the-job illnesses or injuries, which are far more common.

  • What happens to the coverage if an employee leaves?

    Often group life policies offer conversion options to individual coverage; LTD may end but employees can be advised how to continue protection separately.

  • Are life and disability benefits taxable?

    Employer-paid basic life up to $50,000 is often tax-free; other benefits may be taxable depending on structure. We coordinate with your tax advisor.

Let’s Build Income Protection for Your Team

If you’re looking to go beyond basic health benefits and offer deeper financial security to your employees, we’re here to design a life and disability program tailored to your business.

  • (408) 526-1112