Can You Cash Out a Life Insurance Policy Before Death? - MRE Finance

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Can You Cash Out a Life Insurance Policy Before Death?

The answer is maybe. Cashing out a life Insurance policy before your death will be determined by the type of life insurance policy you have. Cashing out a life insurance policy before death is possible, however, financial advisors agree that this is not the best option for those wanting or needing cash.

many term life insurance policies cannot be cashed out because it does not build up any cash value before death
some term policies have an option that enables the insured to convert the policy into a form of permanent life insurance. Some of these types of policies are called convertible term life insurance. You may find you have option to add an optional rider for an additional cost
whole, variable, universal life policies that accumulate cash value may allow the policyholder to access some of that money while they’re still alive through loans, withdrawals or surrendering
review your policy details to determine if cashing out is possible

When you take cash value from life insurance policy, you also reduce the death benefit that your beneficiaries will receive. The cash value is the portion of your premiums that the insurance company has set aside to grow over time. You can access this money through policy loans or by surrendering the policy.

It is recommended to review the pros and cons of cashing out a life policy. You should consider:-

the amount of funds you will receive by surrendering, cashing out, or a loan
potential taxes you may owe
are there any fees and penalties for cashing out?

Cashing out a life insurance policy is different than a life settlement or viatical settlement.

Consider selling your life insurance policy for a cash life settlement.

By N. Rouse|2022-12-20T08:25:21-05:00December 3, 2022|General|Comments Off

About the Author: N. Rouse

Life Settlement QUESTIONS

Why Selling a Life Insurance Policy is a Good Idea?

Selling a life insurance policy may be a good option for seniors 70 years or older or for individuals who are chronically or terminally ill. It may also be an option if your life circumstances have changed, your premiums are no longer affordable or you no longer have dependents who will need financial support after your passing. With increased uncertainty about the economy, many seniors are looking into how to sell their life insurance policies. Selling your policy for a lump sum cash payment can help you pay for medical bills, vacations, paying off a mortgage, or supplementing retirement while providing you greater financial security and peace of mind.

How Does Selling a Life Insurance Policy Work?

The policy owner transfers ownership of the policy to a licensed buyer known as a Settlement Provider in return for a cash payment greater than the surrender value but less than the total death benefit. The process is easy. You’ll submit an application with basic information about the policy and the insured person to be evaluated by the Provider.

Information you will need to provide is:

Your age
Health status
State you live in
Type of life insurance policy you have (whole life, convertible term, or universal life)
The cash surrender value (accumulated cash value) of the policy
Amount of premium you pay per year

Once qualified, the Provider will request additional information such as the life insurance policy documents and the medical records of the insured. The private information you provide is needed for the Provider to make a decision to purchase the policy.

MRE Finance respects your privacy and only works with licensed and reputable Providers. Selling your policy typically allows you to receive more money than if you surrender or terminate the policy with the insurance company for the cash value. If you stop paying the premiums and lapse the policy you typically will receive nothing. People often pursue a life settlement because they no longer need or can afford their life insurance policy and would rather have cash in their pocket. You can use the money received from a life settlement transaction however you’d like, including paying for long-term care needs, medical bills, or funding your retirement

What Are the Steps to Sell a Life Insurance Policy?

The buyer/provider will walk you through the process and with the information you provide they are able to determine if you qualify and then make an offer to purchase your life insurance policy

Health questionnaire. You’ll need to complete a health questionnaire.
Authorization. The insured and the policy owner (if different from the insured) will need to provide authorization for the life settlement Provider to contact the insurance company on your behalf and access medical records.
Insurance Policy Documents. You will need to provide a copy of the life insurance policy. If you don’t have copies available, the life settlement Provider can request these documents from the insurance company with your authorization.
Evaluation. The life settlement Provider will evaluate all the details of the policy and medical records to help determine value.
Offer. With all the necessary information, the life settlement provider may proceed with making you a cash offer for the policy.
Closing. The closing process is the actual transfer of ownership of the policy to the Provider with all the accompanying documentation. During closing, your settlement payment will be placed in escrow until your insurance company has verified the change of ownership. Once verified, the escrow agent releases the funds and you receive your cash payout.

How Long Does It Take To Sell Your Policy?

Overall the process takes approximately 6-8 weeks for settlement to be finalized with an experienced Provider, but timelines can vary based on who your insurance company is and the Provider receiving the needed documents.

What is a Viatical Settlement?

A viatical settlement is a life settlement for those with a terminal or chronic disease. These typically are the highest valued policies – often 2 to 3 times more than a life settlement as the policyholder has a limited life expectancy. Viatical settlements are typically used by individuals who need to pay for medical expenses now, so they choose to forgo the full value of the benefit in the event of their passing and receive a payment now.

What is a Life Settlement?

A Life settlement refers to the legal transaction between the life insurance policyholder and a third-party buyer known as a Settlement Provider for an upfront payment. Life settlement cash payouts are typically higher than your policy’s cash surrender value but less than the total death benefit of the policy. Some of the reasons why people choose a life settlement include; unaffordable premiums, medical bills, supplementing retirement, emergencies, or if they no longer need the policy for their dependents or other personal reasons. A life settlement is usually a better alternative to lapsing or the surrender of a life insurance policy.

MRE Finance

Address: 1719 Route 10, Suite 233,
Parsippany, NJ 07054

Phone: +1-800-521-0770

Email: [email protected]

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MRE Finance is a marketing company and will refer qualified policies to licensed life settlement brokers or providers and does not represent the policyholder. *Any estimate using the life settlement calculator provided is intended to be used as an evaluation and qualification of life insurance policies and does not guarantee the price of what a policy can be sold for, nor that a life settlement provider will make an offer to purchase a policy. © 2023 MRE Finance LLC. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions.