Youve worked hard to keep your family secure, but unexpected situations can happen. That’s why its important to get a life insurance plan that helps protect your family’s financial future.
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Union Plus life insurance aims to provide affordable coverage for union members and their families But how does it stack up for value, flexibility, and customer satisfaction? I reviewed the pros and cons of Union Plus life insurance to help you decide if it’s the right fit
Overview of Union Plus Life Insurance
Union Plus life insurance is designed specifically for union members It leverages the collective purchasing power of over 13 million union members and families to negotiate group rates
The Union Plus Term-to-70 policy provides temporary coverage until age 70. Key highlights include:
- Convertible to permanent life insurance at age 70.
- Living benefits rider to access death benefits if terminally ill.
- Premium waiver if you strike or get locked out of your job.
- Spouses can apply even if not in a union.
Union Plus also offers dental, vision, disability, and other insurance options. But we’ll focus specifically on their life insurance product in this review.
Union Plus Life Insurance Policy Options
Union Plus currently only offers one type of life insurance:
Term-to-70 Policy
This provides temporary coverage until age 70. It’s convertible to a permanent life insurance policy after without medical underwriting. Term lengths are 20, 25, or 30 years based on your current age.
The policy has living benefits and strike waiver riders added. But you can’t customize the term length or purchase riders for chronic illness or disability income.
Spouses can enroll even if they aren’t part of a union. But they must purchase the same coverage amount as the union member.
Cost of Union Plus Life Insurance
As a group policy, Union Plus life insurance offers discounted rates. Here are some sample monthly premiums:
| Age | $50,000 Policy | $100,000 Policy | $200,000 Policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-29 | $4 | $8 | $16 |
| 40-44 | $6.90 | $13.80 | $27.60 |
| 55-59 | $26.70 | $53.40 | $106.80 |
| 65-69 | $67.90 | $135.80 | $271.60 |
Smokers pay higher premiums. But even those rates are very affordable compared to regular term life insurance policies.
Spouses must purchase the same coverage amount as the union member to qualify for the discounted group rates.
Pros of Union Plus Life Insurance
What are the potential advantages of Union Plus life insurance?
Low Cost
The group purchasing rates make premiums very affordable, especially for spouses.
Guaranteed Convertibility
You can convert to a permanent cash value life insurance policy at age 70 without new underwriting.
Living Benefits
The accelerated death benefits rider pays up to 75% of the death benefit if diagnosed terminally ill.
Strike Waiver
Premiums are waived for up to 3 months during a strike, lockout, or labor dispute.
No Medical Exam
Policies up to $200,000 only require answering health history questions. No medical exam or fluids testing.
Spousal Eligibility
Spouses qualify for coverage even if not part of a union themselves.
Cons of Union Plus Life Insurance
What are some potential drawbacks to be aware of?
Limited Policy Options
Only a single Term-to-70 policy is available. No permanent life insurance or longer terms.
Inflexible Spousal Rules
Spouses must buy the same coverage amount as the union member.
Pushy Marketing
Some policyholders complain about frequent marketing offers after enrolling.
Mediocre Customer Service
Reviews of claims and support experiences are mixed.
Minimal Rider Options
No chronic illness or disability income riders available.
No Policy Customization
You can’t tailor term length, riders, premium modes, etc.
Union Plus Life Insurance Reviews
What do actual customers have to say about Union Plus life insurance?
The majority of reviews on Consumer Affairs, Trustpilot, and elsewhere are positive. Most mention the affordable rates and ease of enrollment.
However, a common complaint is pushy marketing tactics after purchasing a policy. Some also report frustrating experiences with customer service.
Here is a sample of real customer reviews:
“Super easy to apply and very affordable rates. I’m glad I could finally get life insurance to protect my family.”
“Application process was seamless. Rates are less than half what I’d pay elsewhere for the same amount of coverage.”
“Got constantly bombarded with emails to upgrade my policy after enrolling. Felt harassed by the relentless upselling.”
“Needed to file a claim after my spouse passed away. The delays and lack of empathy from their claims department made a difficult time even worse.”
Is Union Plus Life Insurance the Right Choice?
Union Plus life insurance offers an affordable option for union members who:
- Want temporary coverage until age 70
- Don’t require permanent life insurance
- Only need a basic death benefit
- Prefer to skip medical exams
- Want protection for their spouse
However, it likely won’t be the right fit if you:
- Need lifetime coverage
- Want to customize your policy
- Require more than $200,000 in coverage
- Have specific rider needs
- Dislike pushy sales tactics
I recommend comparing Union Plus quotes to other life insurers. An independent agent can help assess your specific needs. But for basic term insurance, Union Plus provides valued benefits to union members.
How to Get the Best Rate with Union Plus
Follow these tips to get the lowest premiums with Union Plus:
- Maintain excellent health and qualify for non-smoker discounts.
- Purchase your policy when young to lock in lower age-based rates.
- Compare quotes for different coverage amounts.
- Ask about multi-policy and group discounts.
- Opt for annual premium payments to avoid monthly fees.
- Consider bundling your life policy with other Union Plus insurance options.
Is Union Plus Life Insurance a Good Value?
For union families wanting simple and affordable term life insurance, Union Plus provides competitive rates.
The group purchasing power of over 13 million union members helps secure discounted premiums from highly-rated insurers.
While only offering one basic policy, the living benefits rider provides important protection if facing a terminal diagnosis. And spouses gain access to low rates regardless of individual health.
For those wanting completely customizable permanent life insurance, Union Plus won’t meet your needs. But as a value term life insurance option until age 70, Union Plus can save union households money while keeping loved ones protected.
Should You Consider Union Plus Life Insurance?
If you want budget-friendly term life insurance without extensive underwriting, Union Plus is a solid option for union employees to consider.
Just be sure to compare with other life insurance companies and policies first. Work with an independent insurance agent or broker to ensure you get adequate coverage tailored for your situation.
While Union Plus only offers one type of term policy, it can provide substantial savings over regular individual rates. For union families seeking basic life insurance until retirement age, Union Plus presents an easy and economical choice.
The Bottom Line
Union Plus leverages the collective bargaining power of union members to provide discounted term life insurance rates. While plan options are limited, premiums are budget-friendly. For union households wanting temporary coverage until age 70, Union Plus life insurance can save money while still providing essential death benefit protection. Just be prepared for aggressive marketing tactics after enrollment. And work with an independent advisor to ensure Union Plus adequately fits your specific needs.
What makes the Union Plus plan different?
Union Plus Term-to-70 Life Insurance exclusively serves union members and their families. We’re able to provide specially arranged rates typically reserved only for large groups.
- Coverage without having to reapply, be underwritten, or have your benefits changed until you turn 70 years old, at which point you can switch to the Senior Term Life insurance plan without having to answer any medical questions.
- It lets you avoid paying your premium for up to three months during a union-sanctioned strike, involuntary layoff, or lockout that lasts 30 days or more, but you have to wait 30 days before you can use it. This is a union-member-only benefit.
- Some insurance companies make you get a medical exam, but Union Plus doesn’t. It depends on how you answer the health questions on the application, and you can get coverage up to and including $200,000.
- Gives you 60 days to review the coverage and a money-back guarantee if you decide it’s not right for you.
- Gives you a US-based, toll-free customer service support phone number.
Union Plus Term-to-70 Life Insurance rates
And, in case you missed it, last year Union Plus negotiated 12% lower premiums for the Union Plus Term-to-70 Life Insurance Plan. The reduced rates applied to all union members, including the thousands who had already purchased coverage. As a union member you are eligible for this valuable term life insurance at affordable rates not available to the general public.
The Term-to-70 Insurance Plan offers rates in 5-year age bands. All premiums are based on a person’s age and whether or not they smoke at the time of issue. They also change when a person reaches a new age bracket. You don’t smoke if you haven’t smoked cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, nicotine products, or snuff in the 12 months before you apply for insurance. You select the amount of protection you want to purchase.
| Age | $25,000 | $50,000 | $75,000 | $100,000 | $150,000 | $200,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18-29 | $2.00 | $4.00 | $6.00 | $8.00 | $12.00 | $16.00 |
| 30-34 | $2.05 | $4.10 | $6.15 | $8.20 | $12.30 | $16.40 |
| 35-39 | $2.45 | $4.90 | $7.35 | $9.80 | $14.70 | $19.60 |
| 40-44 | $3.45 | $6.90 | $10.35 | $13.80 | $20.70 | $27.60 |
| 45-49 | $5.30 | $10.60 | $15.90 | $21.20 | $31.80 | $42.40 |
| 50-54 | $8.20 | $16.40 | $24.60 | $32.80 | $49.20 | $65.60 |
| 55-59 | $13.35 | $26.70 | $40.05 | $53.40 | $80.10 | $106.80 |
| 60-64 | $21.45 | $42.90 | $64.35 | $85.80 | $128.70 | $171.60 |
| 65-69* | $33.95 | $67.90 | $101.85 | $135.80 | $203.70 | $271.60 |
| Age | $25,000 | $50,000 | $75,000 | $100,000 | $150,000 | $200,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18-29 | $3.40 | $6.80 | $10.20 | $13.60 | $20.40 | $27.20 |
| 30-34 | $3.80 | $7.60 | $11.40 | $15.20 | $22.80 | $30.40 |
| 35-39 | $4.80 | $9.60 | $14.40 | $19.20 | $28.80 | $38.40 |
| 40-44 | $6.95 | $13.90 | $20.85 | $27.80 | $41.70 | $55.60 |
| 45-49 | $11.15 | $22.30 | $33.45 | $44.60 | $66.90 | $89.20 |
| 50-54 | $17.40 | $34.80 | $52.20 | $69.60 | $104.40 | $139.20 |
| 55-59 | $27.85 | $55.70 | $83.55 | $111.40 | $167.10 | $222.80 |
| 60-64 | $42.55 | $85.10 | $127.65 | $170.20 | $255.30 | $340.40 |
| 65-69* | $63.20 | $126.40 | $189.60 | $252.80 | $379.20 | $505.60 |
NOTE: PREMIUMS ARE PAID MONTHLY.
*Rates for age 65-69 are for renewal purposes only. Rates and benefits may be changed only on a class basis. Rates depend on how old the insured person is now and go up as they move into a higher age group.
Union Plus Term-to-70 Life Insurance helps protect your family from the financial burden of an unexpected death.
- It is possible to get Union Plus Term-to-70 Life Insurance if you are a legal resident of the United States, at least 18 years old, and an active member, associate member, employee, or retiree of an adopting union of the policyholder. Spouses or domestic partners can also apply as long as they are at least 18 years old and not yet 65 years old, live in the United States, and are not legally separated or divorced from the eligible person. Limitations on Eligibility: If an insured person and an eligible spouse or domestic partner are both eligible, they cannot get coverage twice by applying as dependents of each other. Limitations on Eligibility: If an insured person and an eligible spouse or domestic partner are both eligible, they cannot get coverage twice by applying as dependents of each other.
- Many plans make you reapply at the end of the plan’s term and change your premium and benefits to fit your new situation. Things about the Union Plus Term-to-70 Life Insurance plan won’t change, and you don’t have to reapply for coverage. When the policy ends at age 70, you can switch to the Union Plus Senior Term Life Insurance plan without having to answer medical questions or get an exam. The Senior Term Life plan doesn’t have an end date and there is no application.
- If you are told you have a terminal illness with a life expectancy of 12 months or less, the plan will pay you a living benefit. This means that if you get a terminal illness, you can take up to 25% of your life insurance benefit without being charged extra. Your beneficiary will receive the remaining benefit upon your death. Accelerated benefits may be taxable. You should not use these materials to get tax, accounting, or legal advice, as they are not meant to do so. We recommend that you consult with a qualified tax advisor. For people who live in Texas: accelerated benefits may affect your or your family’s initial or ongoing eligibility for public assistance, such as medical assistance (Medicaid), Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), or supplemental social security income (SSI). If you have any questions about your eligibility for public assistance, you should talk to a social service agency.
- Depending on how you answer the health questions on the application, you may not need a medical exam for amounts up to and including $200,000.
- It’s a policy that helps protect you for a certain amount of time. Instead of using premiums to invest in cash that doesn’t grow quickly, 100% of what you pay goes toward your coverage.
- The premium is the amount of money you pay each month for your insurance. How much you pay each month is based on your age within a 5-year range when you buy the policy.
- During the first two years of coverage, if a person kills themselves, whether they are sane or crazy, the policy will only pay the amount of the premium paid up to the date of death.
- If your health changes, the policy will still cover you.
- If you stop paying your premium, reach age 70 (at which point you can switch to Senior Term Life Insurance), your union tells Union Plus that you are no longer a member, or the group policy ends, your insurance will end. When your spouse or domestic partner’s insurance ends, it could be because the policy is canceled, the premium is due on or after the date he or she legally separates from you or gets divorced, or the person turns 70 years old; or the required premium is not paid by the due date, subject to the grace period; or your coverage ends. However, if your death would mean that your dependents’ coverage ends, their coverage will continue until the next premium due date, which is the date after your death if the Surviving Spouse Continuation provision is followed.
- No, the money can be used at his/her discretion.
- Yes, your spouse or domestic partner must buy the same level of benefits as you, the union member.
- After your application is approved and the premium is paid, coverage starts on the first of the month.
- Under Spouse/Domestic Partner Continuation, yes, insured spouses or domestic partners can keep their coverage.
- If an insured person is 1) on a legal, authorized strike by a union or 2) locked out because of a labor dispute between the union and an employer, or is laid off without choice, they don’t have to pay their premiums for up to three months, but they have to wait 30 days first. This is a union-member-only benefit. It might not be possible in all unions or all states.
- Before the premium is waived, the insured must show written proof of a strike, lockout, or forced layoff (i.e. e. verification from your union).
- Yes, members who apply will have more than one way to pay when they apply.
- Yes. Union Plus Term-to-70 Life Insurance includes a 60-day satisfaction guarantee. If this insurance plan agrees to cover you, you’ll get a Certificate of Insurance. You have up to 60 days from the date of the policy to look over your Certificate of Insurance whenever you want. If you don’t like what you see, you can return the Certificate of Insurance within that time frame and get your money back, minus any claims you’ve already made. Hassle free.
Speak to a Union Plus Insurance Representative at 800-393-0864 (8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, weekdays).
You may also contact the Union Plus Member Advocate, an OPEIU Local 2 member, at 800-472-2005 (8:30 a. m. to 4:30 p. m. ET, weekdays).
Why should I get Term-to-70 Life Insurance?
Term-to-70 Life Insurance helps protect your family from the financial burden of an unexpected death. The costs of the funeral and unpaid bills are already very high. On top of that, there are daily bills like the mortgage, car payment, college tuition, and so on. ) your family will face when you’re gone. And with todays rising costs and debt, many employer-sponsored life insurance plans may not provide enough coverage alone.
Why Is Term Insurance Better Than Whole Life Insurance?
FAQ
Is union plus.org legit?
Which company merged with union life insurance company?
What is Union plus life insurance?
Union Plus Life Insurance includes a valuable feature that waives premiums for three months if a union member is out of work due to a union-sanctioned strike, layoff or lockout lasting 30 days or more. The AFL-CIO Mutual Benefit Plan provides a hospital grant for eligible members to assist in paying for large, out-of-pocket hospital expenses.
How do I contact Union plus insurance?
Talk to a friendly Union Plus Insurance Representative at 800-393-0864 (M-F, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., ET) or submit questions online through the Union Plus Insurance website. You may also contact the Union Plus Member Advocate, an OPEIU Local 2 member, at 800-472-2005 (8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET, weekdays).
How do I contact the Union plus member advocate?
You may also contact the Union Plus Member Advocate, an OPEIU Local 2 member, at 800-472-2005 (8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET, weekdays). Current policyholders with questions on billing, requests to change beneficiaries or other policy questions should call 800-393-0864.
Did you know Union plus negotiated 12% lower premiums last year?
And, in case you missed it, last year Union Plus negotiated 12% lower premiums for the Union Plus Senior Term Life Insurance Plan. The reduced rates applied to all union members, including the thousands who had already purchased coverage.