
Senior life settlements can provide a financial lifeline for seniors who are struggling to make ends meet. In fact, it's estimated that over 1 million seniors in the US are living below the poverty line.
Having a life insurance policy can be a valuable asset for seniors, but it may not be providing the financial security they need. Many seniors are unaware that they can sell their life insurance policy to a third-party investor, known as a viatical settlement or senior life settlement.
This process can provide a lump sum payment to the policyholder, which can be used to pay off debts, cover living expenses, or even fund long-term care. The payment is typically tax-free and can be a welcome relief for seniors who are struggling financially.
What Is a Senior Life Settlement?
A senior life settlement is an option for seniors who no longer need or can afford their life insurance policy. It's a way to tap into the market value of the policy instead of letting it lapse or surrendering it for little to nothing.

Seniors can sell their life insurance policy to a buyer who will take responsibility for premium payments and receive the death benefit. This is their right as a policyholder, just like selling any other asset.
A life settlement provides a higher fair market payout than canceling the policy or letting it lapse. This means seniors can get more money from selling their policy than if they simply stopped paying premiums.
The funds from the policy sale can be used for anything, from medical bills and long-term care to a dream vacation. It's the policyholder's money to use as they wish.
A senior life settlement can also help lower monthly retirement expenses by removing the burden of high monthly premiums. This can be a significant relief for seniors living on a fixed income.
Who Qualifies?
You generally need to be 65 years old or older to sell your life insurance policy. However, there's an exception for those with significant health issues.
You may qualify for a senior life settlement even if you're younger than 65, as long as you have a significant health issue.
How It Works

The process of a life settlement generally takes between 60 and 90 days, so it's best to begin the planning process as soon as possible.
You have two options: brokered or unbrokered settlements. In a brokered settlement, a life settlement broker shops your policy around to different providers in exchange for a commission. In an unbrokered settlement, you sell your policy directly to the buyers of life insurance policies, typically life settlement providers, who won't charge any fees.
Life settlement providers will review your policy and medical records as part of the policy valuation process. They usually pay more for policies with higher values and older, health-compromised seniors, because a shorter life expectancy means they have to pay fewer premiums before receiving the death benefit.
Policyholders typically receive between 10% and 50% of their policy's face value. Resources like Retirement Genius's life settlement calculator can help you gauge the payout your policy may receive.

Once the life settlement company makes an offer you accept, the closing process will look similar to that for a house purchase, involving closing contracts and change of ownership forms. This process can be completed completely remotely.
Here's a breakdown of the key players in a life settlement:
- Policyholder: The owner of the life insurance policy.
- Life settlement provider: The company that buys the policy from the policyholder.
- Broker (optional): A middleman who shops the policy around to different providers.
The life settlement provider takes over the policy's premiums and receives the death benefit when the insured dies. With thousands of transactions completed every year, this option is a profitable way to tap into the value of your life insurance.
Payout Options
You can sell your life insurance policy in exchange for a lump-sum cash payment, which can be used to address any financial needs.
Selling your policy can provide a generous cash sum that's yours to use as you see fit.
You can also settle your life insurance policy for a long-term care (LTC) benefit account, which makes automatic monthly payments towards your senior living or long-term care.
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This type of account is irrevocable and tax-advantaged, and any remaining balance goes to the account's beneficiaries if you pass away before using it all.
Enrolling in an annuity can ensure a lifelong stream of income, easing concerns about outliving your money in retirement.
A life insurance policy can be settled for a reduced death benefit, keeping a portion of your policy active and providing financial security for your beneficiaries.
This option can also reduce your monthly expenses, as you'll no longer have to pay premiums.
Benefits and Uses
You can use the money from a life settlement for anything you want, as it's yours to decide how to spend it. Many people use the proceeds to pay for long-term care costs.
The high cost of long-term care is a significant concern, with 7.9 million people ages 65 and up requiring it in 2018, according to AARP.
You can use a life settlement to help defray the costs of long-term care, setting aside funds for these expenses. By doing so, you can ensure you've got the financial resources you need to cover these costs.
It's your money, and you can use it to pay for general healthcare costs and retirement expenses.
Tax Implications
A life settlement can be tax-free in certain circumstances. You should consult with your accountant or tax advisor regarding the tax implications of your policy sale.
In most cases, a life settlement is a tax-advantaged use of life settlement proceeds.
You can monetize your life insurance policy and supplement your income in retirement through a life settlement.
Tax-free portions of settlement funds are available under certain circumstances.
A life settlement can be a great option for seniors who need to pay for long term care needs and want to protect future Medicaid and/or Veterans benefits eligibility.
Process and Providers
Senior life settlements involve a complex process that requires the expertise of specialized providers.
To initiate the process, a senior typically contacts a life settlement broker or provider who will guide them through the steps.
The provider will assess the policy's value and determine whether it's a good candidate for a life settlement.
This typically involves a medical examination and review of the policy's terms and conditions.
The senior will then receive an offer from the provider, which can range from 10% to 50% of the policy's face value.
The provider will also handle the paperwork and negotiations with the investor or buyer.
How to Find Licensed Companies

To find a licensed company to sell your life insurance policy, check out the Life Insurance Settlement Association (LISA), the life settlement industry's trade association. They have excellent resources to learn more about the industry and properly licensed companies.
LISA provides a link to additional educational resources for those interested in learning more about the life settlement industry and its companies. This can be a great starting point for your research.
The Life Insurance Settlement Association is a valuable resource for finding licensed companies, making it a good place to start your search.
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Brochure
A life settlement brochure is a valuable tool that provides an overview of life settlements and how they can help you benefit from your life insurance while you are living.
It's essentially a marketing material that highlights the benefits of selling your life insurance policy to a third party.
A brochure may include information about the process of selling your policy, the potential benefits, and the role of a life settlement provider.

This is where you can learn about the different types of life insurance policies that are eligible for sale, and the factors that determine the value of your policy.
Life settlement providers often use brochures to showcase their services and expertise, and to establish trust with potential clients.
By reading a life settlement brochure, you can get a better understanding of the life settlement process and how it can help you achieve your financial goals.
Seniors Beware: What You Should Know
Life settlements can be a valuable source of liquidity for seniors who would otherwise surrender their policies or allow them to lapse.
More and more seniors are hearing about opportunities to sell their existing life insurance for cash in transactions known as life settlements.
A life settlement involves selling an existing life insurance policy to a third party, which can be a person or an entity other than the company that issued the policy.
Life settlements can be a good option for people whose life insurance needs have changed.
But they are not for everyone. High transaction costs and unintended consequences can arise from life settlements.
To protect yourself, familiarize yourself with your existing policy so that you fully understand your options.
Becoming fully informed about life settlements is also crucial before making a decision.
Shopping around for the best offer can help you get a fair price.
Dealing only with licensed buyers and brokers can also help prevent potential issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average payout for life settlement?
The average payout for a life settlement is typically between 10% to 25% of the policy's face value. For example, a $500,000 policy could yield an average payout of around $100,000.
What are the disadvantages of a life settlement?
A life settlement investment requires a long-term commitment, typically 7-10 years, and the funds are tied up during this time. This means you can't easily sell or access your money like you can with other investments.
Sources
- https://retirementgenius.com/solutions/life-settlements/
- https://www.lighthouselife.com/life-settlements/
- https://qlifesettlements.com/life-settlements-guide/
- https://www.amritafinancial.com/senior-life-insurance-settlement
- https://bhseclaw.com/blog/seniors-beware-what-you-should-know-about-life-settlements/
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