Life Settlement
A life settlement is the sale of a life insurance policy to a third party for a value in excess of the policy’s cash surrender value, but less than the face value of the policy. In exchange for a cash payment to the policy owner, the purchaser of the policy assumes all future premium payments and receives the death benefit upon the death of the insured.
Life settlements are most commonly viable for insured individuals above the age of 65 with life insurance policies in excess of $100,000. Universal life, whole life, guaranteed and variable universal life, and even term policies can be sold if they are no longer needed or no longer affordable.
In many cases, life settlements can provide proceeds to help with expenses for health care, assisted living and other retirement income needs, or even just allow for the recovery of lost premium dollars.
According to the Life Insurance Settlement Association, life settlements, on average, yield 5x more than the cash surrender value available to policy owners.
How Does It Work?
- By providing some basic information about the insured and the policy, you can find out if the policy qualifies for life settlement.
- Once you prequalify, you will complete a quick application that will provide detailed information necessary to begin soliciting life expectancy reports marketing your policy, and obtaining informal offers. There is no charge for this process.
- If you choose to accept the offer, a contract between the policy owner and the buyer will be generated for both parties to execute, funds are placed with an escrow agent, and a change of owner request is submitted to the carrier.
- Within 48 hours of receiving written confirmation that the ownership changes have been completed, the escrow agent will send the life settlement funds directly to you.
Policies that once were inexpensive have underperformed and, in many cases, premiums have now become unmanageable . Often a life settlement is the best option to help recoup lost premiums.
With a recent study showing that policy owners receive on average 5 times their cash value in a life settlement transaction, whether you need money, or just no longer need your insurance coverage, a life settlement may be the right solution (1).
- Long-Term Care – With nursing homes and assisted living facility costs rising, many seniors are faced with having to make decisions about the level of care they can afford. The sale of a life insurance policy may help provide for the quality of care you want and deserve.
- Health Care Costs – The cost of care can be significant and, in some cases, long lasting. Policy owners who sell their insurance policies are often able to benefit by using the proceeds to pay for care that’s needed.
- Cost of Living – It’s no secret that things cost more today and the economy hasn’t been helping. Often times, the sale of a life insurance policy can offer the breathing room you need to get through the tough times.
- Premium Recovery – Many Universal Life policies were sold with the expectation interest rates were going to be higher. Premiums have more than doubled in some cases and policyowners are being forced to surrender. A Life Settlement can help recover lost premiums and put cash back in your bank account.
(1) US Government Accountability Office (GAO) Study, 2010
Disclosure
The Koptis Organization
30432 Euclid Avenue, #201
Wickliffe, OH 44092
Phone: 440.526.2525
Fax: .440.526.4328