A semiconductor device is formed on a semiconductor substrate. The device includes a drain, an epitaxial layer overlaying the drain, and an active region. The active region includes a body disposed in the epitaxial layer, having a body top surface, a source embedded in the body, extending from the body top surface into the body, a gate trench extending into the epitaxial layer, a gate disposed in the gate trench, an active region contact trench extending through the source and into the body, an active region contact electrode disposed within the active region contact trench, wherein a thin layer of body region separating the active region contact electrode from the drain.