What is the required number of participants in a contributory group plan?

In a contributory group plan, the required number of participants who must contribute to the premium for the plan to be viable is typically set at 75%. This means that at least three-quarters of the eligible group members must elect to participate and pay their share of the premium. This high participation rate ensures that the risk is sufficiently pooled among a large number of individuals, thereby helping maintain the financial stability of the plan and spreading the costs over a larger base.

A lower participation threshold, such as 50% or 80%, would not meet the standard for most contributory group plans as set by regulations or common practice, as it would not provide adequate risk pooling. Additionally, requiring 100% participation is often unreasonable because it does not account for individuals who may choose not to participate for personal reasons. Therefore, 75% is the standard percentage to guarantee that the group plan has enough financial backing to operate effectively.