I am leaving my job. Can I keep my work life insurance or turn it into my own policy?

Life insuranceWho paysTexasChecked Nov 7, 2026

From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-07 · Source: Texas Department of Insurance · Life insurance guide · Group life insurance View original ↗

In short

Work life insurance usually ends when you leave the job.
In Texas, you can ask for your own policy with no health exam.
Apply and pay by the 31st day after your job ends.

What this means

If you get life insurance through your job, it usually ends when you leave [1]. In Texas, a group life policy must let you get your own individual policy when your job ends [2]. You must apply and pay the first premium no later than the 31st day after your job ends [3]. The insurer cannot ask for proof of good health [4].

You can pick a policy the insurer usually sells, but not a term policy [5]. The amount cannot be more than the coverage you lost [6]. The price is the insurer's usual rate for your age and risk class on the day the new policy starts [7]. So it may cost more than you paid at work.

If you die during that window, before the new policy starts, the group policy pays the amount you could have bought [8]. These sources are from Texas, and rules in your state may differ.

Your next step

Ask your employer or the group insurer for the conversion form today. Apply and pay the first premium no later than the 31st day after your last day of work [3]. Keep a copy and proof of the date you sent it.

Check it yourself

Read the conversion part of your group certificate. These sources are from Texas only, and rules in your state may differ. They do not cover "portability" (keeping group term coverage after you leave) — "Don't know yet". Ask your employer's benefits office or your state insurance department.

Where this comes from (8)

[1] Texas Department of Insurance · Life insurance guide · Group life insurance · checked 2026-11-07
If you get life insurance through your employer, coverage typically ends when you leave your job.
[2] Texas Legislature · Texas Insurance Code · Sec. 1131.110(a) · checked 2026-11-07
the individual is entitled to have the insurer issue to the individual an individual life insurance policy without disability or other supplementary benefits.
[3] Texas Legislature · Texas Insurance Code · Sec. 1131.110(b) · checked 2026-11-07
An individual must apply for an individual policy and pay the first premium to the insurer not later than the 31st day after the date the individual's employment or membership terminates.
[4] Texas Legislature · Texas Insurance Code · Sec. 1131.110(c) · checked 2026-11-07
An individual policy under this section must be issued without evidence of insurability.
[5] Texas Legislature · Texas Insurance Code · Sec. 1131.110(d) · checked 2026-11-07
The insured may select any individual policy, other than a term life insurance policy, customarily issued by the insurer for an individual of the insured's age and for the amount requested.
[6] Texas Legislature · Texas Insurance Code · Sec. 1131.110(e) · checked 2026-11-07
the individual policy must be in an amount not to exceed the amount of life insurance that ceases because of the termination of employment or membership.
[7] Texas Legislature · Texas Insurance Code · Sec. 1131.110(g) · checked 2026-11-07
The premium on an individual policy must be at the insurer's then customary rate applicable to: (1) the form and amount of the individual policy; (2) the class of risk to which the insured then belongs; and (3) the insured's age on the effective date of the individual policy.
[8] Texas Legislature · Texas Insurance Code · Sec. 1131.112(a) · checked 2026-11-07
the amount of life insurance that the individual would have been entitled to have issued to the individual under the individual policy is payable as a claim under the group policy.

How we found this

We matched your question to 8 official sources, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-07.

What we don’t know yet

Your own plan or notice may say something different. If your letter cites another rule, send it and we will look again.

Every answer is checked against the official rule it quotes.

Information only — not legal advice. Your plan, insurer or agency decides.

This answer quotes the official sources listed above, with the date we checked them. Your own policy, notice and state rules control. We are not your lawyer or your insurer. We don’t file, argue or negotiate claims for you — you send any letter or form yourself.

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