Labor OKs Microsoft captive use to fund long-term disability

WASHINGTON—The Labor Department gave Microsoft Corp. final authorization Thursday to fund benefit risks through the Vermont branch of its Bermuda-based captive insurance company.

Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft will use the Vermont branch of Orcas Ltd., its 11-year-old property and liability captive, to reinsure long-term disability policies covering about 55,000 U.S. employees.

The coverage will be written by Prudential Insurance Co. of America, according to Microsoft’s application filed by the Somerset, N.J., office of Aon Consulting.