The Pros and Cons of a Stock Redemption Plan

What is a Stock Redemption Plan?

Investopedia defines a stock redemption plan as, “A binding agreement that is implemented by the owners of a business to facilitate the orderly transition of a business interest in the event of the death, disability or retirement of a business owner.”

A stock redemption plan is particularly useful for a closely held corporation with more than a few shareholders, or a business more than two owners. Attorneys, realtors, and other professional practices usually choose to go the stock redemption route. With a stock redemption plan, only one life insurance policy is needed for each shareholder or business owner. This is why stock redemption plans are generally favored by businesses with more than two owners.

This allows the business to continue operating without liquidating assets, and provides an immediate payout at fair market value. In most cases, the death benefit is paid to the deceased’s partner's surviving spouse or family, but it can also be assigned to an estate, trust, or charity.

With a cross purchase buy-sell agreement, each owner purchases a life insurance policy equal to the other owner’s share(s) of the business. If your business has two owners, a cross purchase agreement is relatively simple because only two life insurance policies are needed

In his situation, each owner would purchase a policy on the other's life with a death benefit equal to their ownership share of the business. For example, if your business is worth a $1,000,000 and you each own half, a $500,000 policy would suffice.

However, if your business has three or more owners, a cross purchase agreement can get confusing...

Setting up a cross-purchase plan with three owners would require six life insurance policies. (Each owner would need to purchase two life insurance policies, one for each of the other owners).  If your business has four owners, you would need to purchase a total twelve policies!

This is why a stock redemption plan is more ideal for businesses that have multiple owners.We’ve explained the pros and cons of a stock redemption agreement in the next section. 

Pros of a Stock Redemption Plan

• Sustaining the Business

Most importantly, a stock redemption plan provides tax-free, cash resources to pay a deceased owner’s surviving family for their share of the business. Without extra funds available, a business might otherwise have to liquidate or sell assets in order to stay afloat during such a challenging time.

A stock redemption plan helps the business to continue operating, while also enabling the surviving family to access the share of the business that has been left behind to them (without actually having to operate the business).

• Company-Funded

Contrary to cross-purchase agreements, which are typically paid for by the business owners themselves, stock redemption life insurance is funded by the company, to provide funds for the company.

The business is the owner and the beneficiary of the policy, giving the entity full legal backing in regards to how a life insurance payout would be used.

• Equal Premium Split

One of the major drawbacks in a cross-purchase agreement is that an owner who is young and healthy could conceivably be stuck paying premiums for an owner who is in poor health. With a stock redemption plan, the cost is split between the owners based on shares, so no one is making unjustifiably high payments.

• Course of Action

Sometimes having a plan in place is what matters most. When you complete the process of applying for life insurance and creating a stock redemption plan, you are preparing your business for the unexpected death of an owner and establishing a “carry on” plan that benefits the business and a deceased owner’s surviving family.

When crises arise, it can be difficult to tactfully balance business and life. A stock redemption plan allows the business to care for a deceased owner’s surviving family, while the remaining owners continue to operate the business.

Cons of a Stock Redemption Plan

Subject to Creditors’ Claims

Unfortunately, since the life insurance in a stock redemption plan is funded by the business, the proceeds are viewed as company assets, making them subject to creditors’ claims. This means that lenders can seize money from a life insurance payout in order to fulfill any debts your business might have.

• Tax Issues

There are also some potential tax obligations relating to stock redemption. If an owner dies, the remaining owners don’t get the benefit of an increase in basis when the corporation purchases the deceased owner’s interest.

Stock redemption plans are also sometimes more vulnerable to higher capital gains taxes on estates due to IRS questioning. Be sure to address these potential issues with your life insurance agent and your tax professional.

• Non-Deductible

Thinking of writing off your life insurance payments as business expenses? Don’t do it! Although you have the option to designate your premiums as expenses, doing so will make the proceeds taxable. Being taxed on a life insurance payout can significantly decrease the money your business receives.

Determining the Amount of Coverage Available

How do you know how much coverage to purchase?

An insurance underwriter will analyze the value of your business, but you can get a general understanding of how much life insurance will be available to your business by using one of the commonly-accepted evaluation methods listed below.

The Book Value of your business is equal to assets minus liabilities, similar to an individual’s net worth. This valuation method is ideal for businesses with lots of physical assets, not service-based businesses like attorneys.

The Market Value of your business is the value that a buyer is willing to pay for it, often based on “comps.” If there is a discrepancy between Book Value and Market Value, the decision usually goes to Market Value, as this figure will likely be higher, thus reducing the risk of being underinsured.

A Capitalization of Earnings formula can also be used to determine the life insurer’s estimated value of your business based on annual earnings and forecasted future earnings. No value is attributed to physical assets such as buildings and equipment making this valuation method ideal for service-based businesses.

Potential Add-On: Key Person Life Insurance

Aside from owners, most businesses have other “key” employees that they rely on heavily. In addition to your cross-purchase agreement among owners, consider buying separate key person life insurance for top salespeople, executives, and long-tenured clerical workers. Key person insurance covers your business for:

• The business income loss caused by the sudden death of an employee with specialized skills
• The time and resources needed to interview potential replacements
• The time and resources needed to hire and train the chosen replacement
• Any profits that may be lost during the transitional period

Is a Stock Redemption Plan Right for Your Business?

As an independent life insurance agency, JRC’s sole mission is to help individuals and businesses find the right life insurance for their needs. We have no desire or reason to sell you a stock redemption plan if, after an evaluation, it becomes clear the drawbacks for your particular situation outweigh the benefits.

That said, we have helped many businesses create a customized, cost-effective stock redemption plan. Our agency is owner-operated and we’re licensed to sell life insurance in all 50 states and DC. Our independent agency shops 63 top-rated carriers to find our clients the best coverage at the best rate.

Give us a call today at 855-247-9555 to add another layer of financial protection to your business with a stock redemption plan, or a cross-purchase agreement. You can also request a free quote below to compare rates from dozens of companies before you speak to an agent.