union members coverage calculator
Your pay, your loans, your work plan. See the gap in 30 seconds.
OpenIf you die on the job
What workers comp, work plans and Social Security pay, and what they don't.
OpenWhy it matters
But that coverage is tied to the fund. If you leave the trade, retire, or lose fund coverage, it can end or shrink.
You often get a short window to keep it, about 31 days. A plan you own is a backup that does not depend on your hours or your local.
- BLS says the union membership rate was 10.0% in 2025. There were 14.7 million union members.
- For full time workers, the union membership rate was 10.9% in 2025.
- MetLife says your group life coverage ends when you leave your job. You can sometimes keep it by porting or converting it.
- MetLife says you generally have 31 days from when your benefits end to keep your coverage.
- One Teamsters benefit fund pays $25,000 when an active member dies, but only $5,000 for a retired member.
- That same fund lets members who lose fund coverage convert to their own MetLife policy within 31 days. No health proof is needed, but you pay the full price.
What an insurer may ask you
Have these ready. Being honest up front gets you a real price and avoids problems at claim time.
- How much life coverage does your union fund give you?
- What happens to it if you retire or stop working in the trade?
- Do you know your 31 day window rules?
- Is the fund amount enough for your family and your debts?
- Who depends on your income?
Common questions
Does my union life insurance end if I leave?
It can. Group life is tied to the fund or job. When you lose it, you often get about 31 days to port or convert it.
What is porting vs converting?
Porting keeps it as term coverage, and the price can change over time. Converting turns it into whole life with no health questions, and the price stays the same.
Is my union benefit enough?
Check the amount. One Teamsters fund pays $25,000 for active members. Many families need more to cover a home loan and years of lost pay.
Why get my own plan if I have union coverage?
Your own plan stays with you no matter your hours, local or job. It can sit on top of what the fund gives you.
