Life settlements have a variety of great benefits for many policyholders, however, the fine print and complicated rules can make the entire process a stressful experience. With some basic information and proficient, expert help, it does not have to be that way. To make the entire process a successful venture, there are three things that every policy-owner should know.

Life Settlements VS Viatical Settlements

Although these two terms seem identical at first glance, there is a significant difference between the two settlements. When the owner of a life insurance policy is extremely ill and decides to sell their policy, it is referred to as a viatical settlement. When this occurs, the death benefit from the policy is paid to the settlement company after the owner has passed away.

So long as there are no particular restrictions placed on them by the state, life settlements occur when the owner of the policy sells the policy for any other reasons beside an illness or the quick approach of death. Some choose to sell the policy rather than losing it by falling behind on payments while others use it as a source of cash for a variety of reasons including the desire to live a different lifestyle, gifts, or the acquisition of life goals.

Life Settlements Are Negotiable

The amount of money paid out for life settlements is completely negotiable and depends on the agreement that is made. Generally speaking, the health, age, amount of the benefit, and type of policy will determine the amount of payout that is offered. This is what makes shopping around a vital component to a successful settlement. Today, life settlement brokers will often take the work out of it by doing the shopping themselves; they will search through a list of funders to find the best offer. There will also be some form of fee or commission charged by the broker in exchange for his or her service. Regardless of the amount of the offer, there is never an obligation to accept it.

What Happens Afterwards

Once the transaction is complete, the ownership and beneficiary changes hands and the funder will be responsible to pay the premiums. Any possible taxation that may occur with a settlement payout is the responsibility of the original policy-owner. In general, however, the amount of the original investment is not taxed, but it is taxed up to the cash surrender value. Anything over that amount is often subject to capital gains tax. The settlement company may also contact the insured individual in the future to find out about his or her current health status.

In some states such as New York, there are no regulations set in place to monitor or control life settlements. In fact, agents do not require certification or training in some cases making the choice of a reliable institution extremely important. Understanding the process and choosing reliable and expert help is the best way to make the experience a smooth and easy transaction.

Please note that IFG Insurance is not offering legal or tax advice. Any discussion of taxes included in or related to this document is for general informational purposes only. Current tax law is subject to interpretation and legislative changes. You should consult with your legal and tax advisors.