What is Group Life Insurance?
Inheritance tax free lump sums 
With all our policies written under a trust, the lump-sum benefit doesn't form part of a member's estate, so will be free of inheritance tax.
Flexible cover 
You can choose different levels of benefits for different groups of employee; such as directors, managers and staff. Or you can offer the same level of benefits to all.
Tax-efficient protection 
Under current UK tax laws, your premiums for group life insurance usually qualify as an allowable business expense, so it’s a tax-efficient way to protect your employees.
Focus on wellbeing 
As well as the peace of mind the policy offers, your employees will also have access to a range of wellbeing services, which can help you build a happier, healthier workforce.
Quick links if you need something else
Manage your employee protection online, make a claim or find help and support using the links here.
A range of cover that suits your business, and your people
You get a range of choices for how your Group Life policy works, so you can shape it around what your business, and your employees, need. That includes:
- whether you want to insure all your employees or a specific section
- what age the cover ends at
- the level of benefits you want to offer
- If you want to set up your own trust or use our Master Trust
With an Aviva Group Life policy, your people get peace of mind. It means we'll pay a lump sum and a pension benefit (if insured), to your employee's spouse, partner, or dependants if they die in service. And that lump sum usually doesn’t form part of the member’s estate, so can be paid quickly and isn’t subject to Inheritance Tax.
But it also benefits you as an employer. Premiums will normally qualify as an allowable business expense. And you get an enhanced benefits package that helps not only attract more talent to your company, but retain your existing employees.
Save time and cost with a Master Trust option
When you’re choosing your Group Life Insurance scheme, you can go with our standard group life option, or you can choose our Master Trust option.
A Master Trust Group Life Insurance policy is set up under a master trust, which means an independent trustee company manages your group life insurance scheme for you. You don’t have to spend the time, cost, and resource setting up and running a separate standalone trust for your policy.
Why choose Master Trust?
- Easy set-up with one point of contact – We handle the details so you don’t have to.
- No standalone trust required – Join our Group Life Insurance Scheme Master Trust and your employees are covered.
- Faster onboarding – No need for a PSTR number for Registered policies.
- Expert support throughout implementation – Our team guides you every step of the way.
- No extra charges, less admin hassle – A simple, affordable solution at no additional cost.
- Independent governance for peace of mind – Managed by Zedra Governance Ltd, giving you robust oversight.
We offer Master Trust arrangements for both Registered and Excepted group life policies. With Master Trust, all insured members are covered under the relevant scheme.
It’s a great option for smaller employers looking to save time, reduce complexity, and keep costs down.
Wellbeing services available with Group Life Insurance
When you choose us for your Group Protection insurance, you get more than financial support when the worst happens. You get access to a selection of wellbeing services. The wellbeing services cover a wide range of support for your people’s mental, physical, and financial wellbeing. Whether it’s an extra prompt to get moving on a Monday or specialised health support, they’re designed to help your people live life to the fullest.
From access to expert clinical help and mental health services to savings on lifestyle products, they give your people everyday health support, year-round. Because we know that makes a real difference. Not only for your employees, but for your business, too.
The right mental health support can improve employee engagement, reduce absenteeism for illnesses caused by stress, and make your workplace an overall better place to work. So, with a range of everyday physical and mental health support, these Group Protection wellbeing services help you support your employees – and build a happier, healthier, more productive workforce.
Wellbeing services are non-contractual benefits which Aviva can change or withdraw at any time. This does not apply to Grief Encounter, which is a charity anyone can access. Terms and conditions apply to wellbeing services.
To be eligible for wellbeing services employees must be permanent residents of Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. Red Apple Law legal services are available to use in England and Wales. There is varied or limited service availability in Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man.
We’re here to support you and your employees
Our expert team aims to pay claims quickly, so employees’ loved ones have one less thing to worry about.
We're an experienced group protection provider
We cover more than 2.7 million people, insuring over £277 billion of group protection benefits across 12,169 policies.1
Flexible cover
Our Group Life cover offers a great deal of flexibility. You can choose different levels of benefits for different types of employee; such as directors, managers and staff. Or you can offer the same level of benefits to all.
Webinars to help you support employees
Join sessions on health, wellbeing, and the latest Aviva product updates. Hear from experts, ask questions live, and gain practical insights to keep your business informed. You can also catch up on past webinars anytime. Visit the Webinar Hub regularly for upcoming events and on-demand content.
1. Aviva data from Swiss Re Group Watch 2025 report (data as at 31 December 2024)
2. Data provided by Aviva Group Protection Finance department based on January - December 2024. From 9 April 2025, Aviva Protection UK Limited (formerly AIG Life) became part of the Aviva Group and we've included their data from that date to December 2024.
3. Based on Aviva only data from January - December 2024.
How to get a quote and apply for Group Life Insurance
You'll need to take speak to an advisor to get a quote or apply for our Group Life Insurance, so you can do one of the following:
Get in touch with your usual Aviva contact or current financial adviser. 
If you would like more information about our group protection products and services, get in touch and we'll be happy to help. 
Introducing Aviva Flex-pertise™: for larger employers
If you’re looking for a flexible benefits package that adapts to work for both you as an employer and your employees, Aviva Flex-pertise™ could be just what you’re looking for.
It lets you choose a package that’s right for your business and your employees’ needs but also lets your employees choose the level of cover that suits them best.
Your Aviva Flex-pertise™ package can include:
- Group Income Protection
- Group Life
- Spouse/Partner Life Assurance
- Group Critical Illness
- Spouse/Partner Critical Illness Cover*
- Children’s Critical Illness cover (including child-specific conditions)*
*Only available if you or your employees choose Group Critical Illness.
Building a flexible protection benefits package in this way can help you attract and retain staff. You and your people will also get expert assistance when the need arises, including options that will help employees before they need to make a claim. And you can do it at a cost that suits you.
Learn about group protection
From understanding how the services work to finding out what has an impact on service costs, here you’ll find valuable information about providing group protection services for your employees.
Group Protection
What is group protection insurance?
Find out what it is and how it could benefit you and your employees.
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Group Protection
Group income protection costs
Find out what affects the cost of group income protection.
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Group Protection
How does group income protection work?
Would your business benefit from group income protection?
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Group Protection
Group critical illness insurance – the pros and cons
Find out how it could work for your employees and your business.
More ways to enhance your benefits package
Group Critical Illness
We’ll pay your employees a tax-free lump sum if they’re diagnosed with a critical illness, or undergo surgery, covered by the policy.
Group Income Protection
Financial support for employees on long-term absence due to illness or injury, with rehabilitation services to help them make a safe return to work.
Business Health Insurance
Flexible solutions for your employees’ health and wellbeing with extensive cover than can be adapted to suit your business needs.