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Weekly New Publication Article July -09-2009
Life Insurance - Why it is a Must Have in Your Financial Planning
There are at least four very good reasons to include life insurance to your financial strategy:
Reason 1: Take today a group of 100 people at the age of 25. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA Publication No. 13-11871, April 2000) 16 of them already died when the group reaches the age of 65. The number of people who needs to be supported by family and charities at that age is 66. The remaining 18 are financial independent. Just 18% are independent! This is way too few, none of us wants that our kids have to take the burden of supporting us after we have retired.
Reason 2: The study shows that 18% are financial independent, but how does the Social Security Administration define financial independence? The definition is: The annual income of a household or person greater than $30,000. That is not much! To get a feeling how low that amount really is, lets take look at the annual median income of all 58 Californian Counties. Only four of them have currently a lower median annual income than $30,000. This means, if you retire in California at 65 and you are financial independent (according to the SSA standard) you will probably have less income in more than 93% of the Californian counties than the median household there. So there is a good chance that you will not be able to spend your retirement in the "Golden State", together with so many other people who lived and worked hard here their entire life, even if you "are" financial independent.
Reason 3: We have all heard and read the stories of 80 year old retirees who have to start working again because their 401(k) or 403(b) or any other IRA plan has gone down significantly in value. This did not just happen to retirees. No, unfortunately everybody experienced a loss in their retirement plans. Why? Because the Stock market, in which most of the retirement plans are invested in, is unpredictable. More than just one study has proved this fact. Even experts, like Jim Cramer from "Mad Money" on CNBC didn't see the recent collapse of the Stock market coming, and he makes his living from watching the stock market and referring stocks to his viewers. The question that rises is: if he can't see a crash of that magnitude coming, how can your stock broker or financial adviser? The answer is simply, they can't.
Reason 4: We all know that life insurance never performs as well as a fund, a CD, a single stock or any other stock traded paper can. But this is and can be a very good thing that works in your favor. Because it means that life insurance is a safe and steady financial investment. You can rely on your life insurance, it will hold its value and therefore protect your investment. It builds an immediate estate. Even if you just paid one premium! Can you say that from any other financial product?
In order to be financially wise, you should always build your financial independence on a solid life insurance basis.
Click here for a complete list of the annual median income of all 58 Californian counties.
Thomas R. Hermschulte is an Financial Advisor and Representative of Mutual of Omaha http://www.MutualofOmaha.com
We currently offer our clients a free consultation to overlook their financial situation and offer free advice in these economical stormy days.
If you want to learn more what we can offer for you, contact me:
thomas.hermschulte@yahoo.com
2601 Main Street, Suite 960
Irvine, CA 92614
Cell: 714.330.1899
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Hermschulte
Weekly Past Publication Article July -02-2009
Whole Life Insurance and Cash Surrender Value
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Under whole life insurance, the premium would be more than enough to cover the risk; the difference would be invested to form policy reserves, to subsidize what would otherwise be an inadequate premium in the later years: This concept still remains the basis for calculating premiums for all permanent insurance contracts.
If a policy owner decides to terminate a permanent insurance policy, the insurance company will return to the policy owner an equitable share of the accumulated policy reserve, called the policy's cash surrender value and the insurance company is released from its future obligations under the contract.
Although cash surrender value is guaranteed and stated in the policy, in the 1st and 2nd years, a cash surrender value usually is unavailable, because the cost of putting the policy into force more than offsets any cash surrender value , and the period is too short for the company to earn enough interest on the premiums to compensate for these costs and in subsequent years, the cash surrender value may be less than the policy reserved for a number of reasons:
a) The government sets standards for policy reserves that may result in the required reserve being higher than what the company accumulate from the premium charged.
b) Expenses, which the company incurs when the policy is issued.
In the case of whole life policies, the policy reserve increases from year to year as the life insured gets older, at very advanced ages in most policies equals the sum insured.
With a whole life insurance policy, premiums are payable at the same amount each year from the date the policy is issued until the life insured dies, unless the policy owner wishes to discontinue paying premiums and surrenders the policy for its cash value, or takes extended term or reduced paid-up insurance.
Whole life insurance is especially useful where there is a need for lifetime protection against financial risks, such as retirement expenses, final expenses and for the maintenance of dependents, if the policy owner dies before reaching retirement age.
Weekly Past Publication Article June -25-2009
Term Insurances
Term insurance policy is the oldest and popular form of life insurance. Under term insurances, the insurance company promises to pay the sum insured, if the life insured dies within the period specified in the policy (5, 20, 15, 20 year term insurances) if the life insured is alive at the end of the period, the policy terminates on that date and the life insurance protection ceases.
There are 4 types of term insurance
1. Increasing term
The sum of insured increases automatically every year and the annual premium generally increases in step with the increases in the face amount of insurance coverage. A policy might be used to protect the value of a key employee in an organization, where the employee's salary is expected to increase every year.
2. Decreasing term
It is an endowment plan having below characteristics
a) Level premium
b) Fixed term period such as the 20th anniversary of the date of issue
c) Sum of insured decrease every year
d) Cash value increase
A decreasing need might also be to guarantee additional monthly income until the youngest child is through school.
3. Fixed-period term
Term insurance policies are commonly issued for specified periods, such as 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 year. they are often issued to terminate at a specified age of the insured, generally at age 65. Very few traditional term insurance policies ever pay out a death benefit. Fixed term insurance is good for people just starting a family without a lot of cashes and assets.
4. Term to 100
Premiums paid in the early years are significantly higher than for other types of term policy. In the long term, term to 100 premiums established at the life insured's young attained age will likely be much lower than the attained age premiums charged to those policy owners in their 50s and 60s, under renewable term plans. The biggest single advantage of term insurance with shorter periods has always been its low initial annual premium cost. Term to 100 plans do not usually have any cash surrender values.
Weekly Past Publication Article June -19-2009
Types of Life Insurance
A life insurance policy is evidence of a contract between two parties; one party is the life insurance company and the other party is the policy owner. In this article, we will discuss types of life insurance.There are 3 Types of life insurance
1. Term Insurance
Term insurance is the oldest form of life insurance. In the term insurance policies, the insurance company promises to pay the sum insured, if the life insured dies within the period specified in the policy; if the life insured is alive at the end of the period, the policy terminates on that date and the life insurance protection ceases. term insurance has the following characteristics
a) Increasing term
b) Decreasing term
c) Fixed-period term
d) Renewability and convertibility
e) Re-entry Term
d) Term to 100 plans
2. Permanent insurance
During the early policy years, the premium would be more than enough to cover the risk; the difference would be invested to form policy reserves, to subsidize what would otherwise be an inadequate premium in the later years: This concept still remains the basis for calculating premiums for all permanent insurance contracts.
3. Universal life
Unlike a whole life policy, its premiums can be increased or decreased, paid when due or at unscheduled dates, or stopped entirely and restarted at the owner's will-- provided the policy value is adequate to maintain the cost of the insurance. Flexibility exists in the options to increase or decrease the policy's face amount; evidence of insurability is usually needed for the increases. This policy can be adapted to satisfy the changing insurance and investment needs of its owner; because it generally has few long-term guarantees, however, a universal life policy should be reviewed regularly.
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Weekly Past Publication Article June -12-2009
Characteristics of Term Insurance
A life insurance policy is evidence of a contract between two parties; one party is the life insurance company and the other party is the policy owner. Under a term insurance policy, the insurance company promises to pay the sum insured, if the life insured dies within the period specified in the policy; if the life insured is alive at the end of the period, the policy terminates on that date and the life insurance protection ceases.1. Increasing term
Increasing term insurance might be employed in situations where the liability being protected against is both temporary and increasing; for example, such a policy might be used to protect the value of a key employee in an organization, where the employee's salary is expected to increase every year. With this type of policy, the annual premium generally increases in step with the increases in the face amount of insurance coverage.
2. Decreasing term
A decreasing term policy or rider provides for the payment of a fixed monthly benefit from the date of the life-insured's death to a fixed future date, such as the 20th anniversary of the date of issue. Such a decreasing need might also be to guarantee additional monthly income until the youngest child is through school.Generally, premiums for term insurance policies are for the same amount for each and every year of the term; this is also the case for decreasing term policies.
3. Fixed-period term
Term insurance policies are commonly issued for specified periods, such as 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 year; they are often issued to terminate at a specified age of the insured, generally at age 65.
4. Renewability and convertibility
This right to convert without evidence is provided in the term policy, regardless of changes in health or occupation. Renewable term insurance normally is identified as such at the time of application. You must understand that, at each renewable period, the premium goes up, because the person has got older.
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Weekly Past Publication Article June -04-2009
Life Insurance and Estate Planning
As we mentioned in previous articles, estate planning is the process of accumulating and disposing wealth before death of an individual or a group of owners known as an estate owner including married couple. It's aims is to maximize the wealth of the estate owner. The most important goal of estate planning is to make sure that the greatest amount of the estate passes to the estate owner's intended beneficiaries while paying the least amount of taxes. Life insurance always play an important role in estate planning because of its tax-free statutes.Our Sponsors
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1. Life insurance is a primary vehicle to protect your family and loved ones in case of sudden death and it provides a liquidity asset in estate planning.
2. Even though financial security is diminished as children grow older, the need to protect the estate's assets against any unnecessary tax paid is increased upon the death of the estate owner.
3. In most cases, life insurance is the cheapest way to protect your family's financial security and provides liquidity assets to cover the deceased person's administration cost and income tax must be paid for any unpaid gains such as stocks and property appreciation.
4. Life insurance paid out is usually tax-free.
5. It is guaranteed by the insurance company by it's cash reserve and by insurance-guaranteed funds up to $300,000.
6. In Canada, life insurance is guaranteed by Assuris which is a non-profit organization with members from all major insurance companies up to 85% or $200, 000, which ever is less.
7. Since life insurance is a form of pooling risk, it pools from a number of small contributors to compensate for those who suffer a loss, therefore it minimizes the risk of bankruptcy.
8. Many insurance companies invest their reserve funds conservatively.
9. Finally, life insurance always serves its purpose of creating an estate or perverse estate assets.
Weekly Past Publication Article May -29-2009
What Is Administering the Estate in Estate Trustee ?
Estate planning is the process of accumulating and disposing of wealth before death of individual or a group of owner known as estate owner including married couple. It aims is to maximize the wealth of the estate owner. The most important goal of estate planning is to make sure that the greatest amount of the estate passes to the estate owner's intended beneficiaries while paying the least amount of taxes. In case there is no will, upon the death of decreased person then decreased asset will be administrated by estate trustee.Our Sponsors
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I.Definition
Estate trustee is someone who appointed by the court to administrate the decreased assets after an application is made by one of the next of kins to the court in case of no will.
II. How it works
1) In case of no will, upon the death of decrease, one of the next of kin who is over 18 year of age and nominated by majority of other next of kins to the court for appointment of the applicant as a estate trustee.
2) It is time consuming, since the court need 2 to 3 weeks for this appointment.
3) The applicant is approved by the court to administrate the asset of the decreased person is known as estate trustee without a will.
4) The applicant who will become estate trustee with out a will may need to be bonded by 2 persons. Normally, it may require to be handled by professional lawyer office.
5) The administration and distribution of decreased assets will have to follow the State or Provincial laws.
6) All assets in joint tenancy with the right of survivor will automatic go to the surviving person.
7) The administration of estate trustee with out a will may be costly because of inexperience and sometimes may request the help of professional lawyer.
In case of no agreement between next of kins of the decreased person to nominate one of the next of kin to become estate trustee, it may increase complexity of decreased assets administration. The court in such case may appoint a public trustee to handle the asset distribution according to the State or Provincial law.
Weekly Past Publication Article May -22-2009
Who can be An Executor ?
Estate planning is the process of accumulating and disposing of wealth before death of individual or a group of owner known as estate owner including married couple. It aims is to maximize the wealth of the estate owner. The most important goal of estate planning is to make sure that the greatest amount of the estate passes to the estate owner's intended beneficiaries while paying the least amount of taxes. If you are chosen as an executive in a decreased person will, here are your duties.Our Sponsors
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1. Definition of Executor
As we mentioned in previous article, an Executor is the person named by decreased person before his or her death in the most recent will and he or she has the responsibility to administrate the deceased’s estate.
2. Who can be an executor
There are many concerns when you decide to choose someone as an executor in your will, here are some examples.
a) Your executor in a will should be someone is trustworthy and respectable to your family. He or she should know and agree to carry your wishes upon your death.
b) Your executor must be able to read, write and speak English fluently and capable to perform the duties of an estate executor. Requesting other people to translate or interpret the will is costly and make the matter more complex.
c) If you think your estate is complex enough or you suspect your will may cause some controversy among designate beneficiary, you may consider to name a professional executor, such as a trust company or lawyer to carry the duty upon your death.
c)Your executor should be someone who you have known for many years so that they can carry his or her duties without causing any interfere or delay with your wish.
d) Remember that person was named in a will as executor is under no obligation to serve. You make sure you have discussed your wishes with that person beforehand so he or she understands the duties as an executor and is comfortable with the performance of those duties to avoid any unnecessary delay of your estate administration.
e) Make sure you also appoint an alternate executor in case the primary executor is unable or unwilling to perform those duties at the time of your death.
f) Your executor should of course be someone healthy and likely to outlive you.
g) You may wish to appoint professional to act as your executor if you anticipated controversy or conflict among beneficiaries.
The duties of an executor is to carry our estate administration and to ensure the decreased person final wishes are respected and is allowed to charge a 2.5% fee on capital disbursements or on capital receipts.
Weekly Past Publication Article May -16-2009
What is The Estate Setlement in a Will
Estate planning is the process of accumulating and disposing of wealth before the death of individual or a group of owner known as estate owner including married couple. It aims is to maximize the wealth of the estate owner. The most important goal of estate planning is to make sure that the greatest amount of the estate passes to the estate owner's intended beneficiaries while paying the least amount of taxes. Choosing an executor is importance to ensure that someone who you trust will help to perform duty of estate settlement upon your death.Our Sponsors
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I. Definition
Estate settlement is also known as estate administration. It is the form of handling the decreased person assets by an appointed executor or executors. If the deceased did not leave any testamentary dispositions then the dispositions can be proceeded.
II. How it works
Estate settlement includes the following
a) Testamentary dispositions and will probated
Written, holographic will will have to apply to the court for probate before assets can be gathered by the executor and only most recent will has legal value. If the deceased did not leave any testamentary dispositions then the dispositions can be proceed. Any testamentary trust in a will must be closely examined and resolved.
b) Notifying public
The purpose of this notice is to inform the heirs, creditors and debtors to the estate of the existence and identity of the liquidator.
c) Inform the federal and estate or provincial governments of the person's death.
It is necessary if the decreased person is receiving pension incomes from the federal and estate or provincial government
d) Identifying the beneficiaries
c) Gather all decreased person documents
All documents are gathered including life insurance policy, birth certificate, decree of divorce and other related to decreased person documents. Only the death certificate and the copy of the act of death are legally recognized.
e) Create an estate account
So all assets can be deposited into that account
f) Gather all deceased person assets
All assets including stocks, bond , property, etc. will be calculated if necessary using arm's length to determine the asset values.
g) Notifying public after all assets of decreased person are gathered
Identifying all debtors, such as credit card debts, personal loans, etc
h) File income tax for decreased person
File income tax, any taxes owed by the decrease should be paid
i) Pay off all debts
j) Other settlement if need
Such as family patrimony and the matrimonial or civil union regime are there for married spouses or spouses in a civil union.
k) Pay out remaining
Weekly Past Publication Article May -08-2009
What is an Executor In The Will
Estate planning is the process of accumulating and disposing of wealth before death of individual or a group of owner known as estate owner including married couple. It aims is to maximize the wealth of the estate owner. The most important goal of estate planning is to make sure that the greatest amount of the estate is passed to the estate owner's intended beneficiaries while paying the least amount of taxes. Choosing an executor is importance to ensure that someone who you trust will carry your will intention after your death.I. Definition
An executor in the will, normally is the lawyer or someone you trust who will carry your intention in the will.
II. What is executor responsibility
Since you have named someone as your will executor, in general, the executor will gather up all your assets and after paying all your debts, she or he will distribute the remaining assets to the beneficiaries.
1. Paying funeral expense
The funeral expense usually paid out from the assets of the decreased, although sometimes the executor consider the wishes of the deceased's relatives.
2. Paying all other debts
The executor is also responsible to pay off all the debts of the decreased person including all credit cards and charge cards, personal loan and other debts through decreased assets.
3. Notifying all beneficiaries who are named in the will.
4. Submit the necessary probate documents to the court to get probate before an executor can handle the deceased’s estate.
5. Notifying the government pension office, if the decreased person is receiving pension payment before his or her death.
6. File the income tax for the decreased person and pay all income tax if owed by decreased estate and get a tax clearance.
7. Distributing the remaining assets to estate beneficiary.
Remember certain assets do not need to probate such as RRSP and insurance paid out from life insurance policy. Please beware of 6 months deadline of variation act that allows decreased child or spouse to apply to the court for changing the terms of the will.
Weekly Past Publication Article May -01-2009
How to Draw Up A Will
As we mentioned in previous articles, estate planning is the process of accumulating and disposing of wealth before death of individual of group of owner known as estate owner including married couple. It aims is to maximize the wealth of the estate owner. The most important goal of estate planning is to make sure that the greatest amount of the estate passes to the estate owner's intended beneficiaries while paying the least amount of taxes. Drawing up a will is a must for people who want to distribute their assets in their own way upon their death.1. Collect your assets
You must talk to your accountant, financial adviser and any financial institution that you have investments with them, so you can collect all updated statements of your asset including stock of assets, possessions, and any other money that would form part of your estate.
2. How you want your estate to distribute
After knowing how much is worth in your estate, you can make an accurate distribution to your beneficiary, if you would like to have a straight assets distribution. It is advised to put the assets distribution in percentage instead of list of asset so you can avoid the fluctuation of certain assets and unfair to one of the beneficiaries after your death.
3. Have 2 persons to witness your signature
Remember the person who you want to witness your signature must have a sound mind and at least at the age of majority. You may want to have a lawyer to notarize your will or you may write your will in long-hand, also known as a holographic will which does not require to be notarized by lawyer or witnessed by any people.
Remember that your will must include
1. your present address,
2 A statement that previous wills made by the you are revoked
3. Direction to pay funeral expenses, debts, and taxes before estate is distributed to your designate beneficiaries.
4. The appointment of an executor.
Weekly Past Publication Article Apr -25-2009
Legal Capacity of A Will
As we mentioned in previous articles, estate planning is the process of accumulating and disposing of wealth before death of individual of group of owner known as estate owner including married couple. It aims is to maximize the wealth of the estate owner. The most important goal of estate planning is to make sure that the greatest amount of the estate passes to the estate owner's intended beneficiaries while paying the least amount of taxes. Legal capacity of a will is one the process necessary in estate planning to ensure that the estate is distributed as the estate owner wish or otherwise the will is null.Our Sponsors
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I. Definition
Legal capacity of a will is a law of the state and provincial government that helps to make a will valid.
II. What makes a will valid
a) Age
Since most state and provincial government defines a certain age for people have the legal capacity to create a valid will. In most states and provinces, the age is set at 18, meaning anyone 18 or older has the legal capacity to create a will. However, a few states set the age lower, but in Canada most provinces have an age of majority at 19.
b) Testamentary capacity
Testamentary capacity is defined as a person's legal and mental ability to make a valid will.This means the person must have a sound mind and memory or disposing mind and memory. Since The requirements for testamentary capacity is minimum, it is up to the estate owner to make a will valid without being contested upon his or her death.
c) Testamentary intend
Testamentary intend means that the person who make the will have the intention to instruct what you want your estate to be distributed. You make sure that your have a clear intention of what you want your wealth to be distributed to avoid any unnecessary will contest up on your death.
d) Will formalities
The general formalities of wills include the following
i) Attested will
It is a witness will. It must be signed by the estate owner and witnessed and signed by those witnesses.
ii) Holographic will
It is hand written by estate owner. Holographic will is not required to be witness.
iii) Nuncupative will
Nuncupative will also known as oral will or verbal will, it must have two witnesses. Oral will usually uses when a person who is in terminal illness and unable to draw a proper written will.
Weekly Past Publication Article Apr -17-2009
What is A will ??
As we mentioned in previous articles, estate planning is the process of accumulating and disposing of wealth before death of individual of group of owner known as estate owner including married couple. It aims is to maximize the wealth of the estate owner. The most important goal of estate planning is to make sure that the greatest amount of the estate passes to the estate owner's intended beneficiaries while paying the least amount of taxes. Drawing a will is one the process necessary in estate planning to ensure that the estate is distributed as the estate owner wish.Our Sponsors
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I. Definition
A will is a legal document that gives someone the power to act as your financial representative after your death and directs how your assets should be distributed.
II. Development of a will
1. Legal capacity to draw a will
a) To make a legal will, the testator must be over 18 years of age or the person must be married or in the military.
b) Testator must be in sound mind.
c) The will is not made under influence of other people
2. Draw up a will
Indicate all assets in the will and how do you want want them to be distributed and have the lawyer to notarize it. You may also draw a will with your hand writing with no requirement of witnessing or notarizing.
3. Others include in the will
a) Address of testator
b) A statement that previous wills made by the testator are revoked
c) The direction how assets are distributed after taxes and expenses are paid
d) Name the testator's executor and guardian
4. Signing and witnessing
a will must be signed at the end by the testator and is witnessed by 2 sound mind person simultaneously. In case of holographic will witness is not required.
Weekly Past Publication Article Apr -11-2009
Universal Life Insurance and Estate Planning
Estate planning is the process of accumulating and disposing of wealth before death of individual of group of owner known as estate owner including married couple. It aims is to maximize the wealth of the estate owner. The most important goal of estate planning is to make sure that the greatest amount of the estate passes to the estate owner's intended beneficiaries while paying the least amount of taxes. Life insurance if one of the vehicle that can ensure that because life insurance is tax free on hand of beneficiaries.
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I. What is universal fife insurance
Universal life insurance is one of most flexible life insurance that has been around since the early of 1980 and has been used in estate planning process . It contains 2 components: life insurance and investment funds.
1. Life insurance normally used to protect the policy insured's family or company in case of sudden death of the insured. It may be used in estate planning because of its tax exempt status. Since it is tax free, it can use to pay for tax and other expenses that might eat away the estate owner wealth upon his or her death.
2. Investment funds
Investment funds are the most important figure in the universal life insurance policy. The maximum amount is predetermined every year according to state or provincial law. Any growth of the maximum amount deposited into the universal life insurance policy is tax free upon the death of the life insurance.
3. Registered investment funds
It works like other registered pension plan but it is principle guaranteed by insurance company up to 100% upon the death of policy owner.
Upon the death of policy insured, The assets held under his or her mane must be liquidated including any deferred investments, capital gain and tax must be paid before assets can be distributed to the estate. If universal life insurance is one of vehicle was used in estate planning, the life insurance and investment funds are paid to beneficiary tax free can be used to pay for any estate tax, leaving the much large portion of wealth to the estate. That is main reason, it has been used successfully in assisting estate planning.
II. Other figures that benefit the estate owner
1. The investment fund can provide addition income for the estate owner while he or she is alive. Any withdrawal is taxable in the same year
2. Funds can be withdrawn anytime
Universal life investment funds can be withdrawn any time, if it is requested by the policy owner
3. Registered funds can be additional income when your retired
Weekly Past Publication Article Apr -03-2009
Life Insurance and Estate Planning
As we mentioned in previous article, estate planning is the process of accumulating and disposing of wealth before death of individual or group of owner known as estate owner including married couple. It aims is to maximize the wealth of the estate owner.I. Life insurance
The most important goal of estate planning is to make sure that the greatest amount of the estate passes to the estate owner's intended beneficiaries while paying the least amount of taxes. Life insurance is one of the vehicle can ensure that because life insurance is tax free on hand of beneficiaries upon the death of the estate owner.
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II. How it works
1. The proceeds from the insurance can be used to pay off any probate, taxes and fees and leaving the accumulated wealth of your estate for intended beneficiaries.
2. Under universal life policy, growth of assets in your life insurance policy is tax exempt. The proceed of life insurance plus fund values will be not be taxed on hand of your designated beneficiaries and it can be used to pay off the debts of your estate that accrue at your death.
3. While you are a live, the fund values that are not registered can be withdrawn anytime. Funds that are registered can provide additional income when your retired. Since the funds can be withdrawn anytime, it give some security in case of emergency needs.
4. Life insurance in group plan not only can be used as enhancing employee benefit packages, providing coverage to protect against loss due to the death of a business partner, it also can be used as a strategy to minimize corporate taxes.
Weekly Part Publication Article Mar -27-2009
What is Estate Planning ??
Estate planning is the process of accumulating and disposing of wealth before death of individual or a group of owner known as estate owner including married couple. It aims is to maximize the wealth of the estate owner. The most important goal of estate planning is to make sure that the greatest amount of the estate passes to the estate owner's intended beneficiaries while paying the least amount of taxes.Our Sponsors
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I. Why you need estate planing
While you are young, you are try to accumulate your wealth through various investment planning . At some points in your life, your are getting marry and having children. You need estate planning to ensure that your wealth are passed through your family while you are alive. You need to draw up a will and your family is named as beneficiaries because you don't want the court decide who will get your wealth. You also want to ensure that the wealth are passed your beneficiaries with least amount of taxes. Life insurance plays an important role in any estate planning, because life insurance is not taxable and it usually used to pay taxes for your beneficiaries.
II. Estate planning purpose
1. Setting objective
The main goals if setting of objective is maximize amount for your wealth accumulation through financial planning and distribute your wealth with least tax to the beneficiaries as you wish.
2. Collecting and analyzing your financial data
The lists of liquidate asset to ensure that your estate have enough cash on hand to meet its obligation.
3. Strategies for transferring assets to your estate while your alive
4. Strategies for transferring assets to your estate at death
5. Implement your plan to ensure your will will be carried according to your instruction, including choosing your executors, guardians as well as power of attorney for a living will.
6. Monitor your plan every year to ensure that will work upon your death.
Weekly Past Publication Article Mar -22-2009
Types of Registered Pension Plan
A form of a trust that provides pension benefits for an employee of a company upon retirement. RPPs are registered with the government. The employee and employer, or just the employer make contributions to this retirement plan until the employee leaves the company or retires. Contributions to an RPP are tax deductible for both the employee and the employer. Contributions to the plan and gains on underlying assets are tax deferred, so the funds are taxed when they are withdrawn from the plan. In this article, we will discuss types of registered pension plan.There are two types of registered pension plan.
1. Define contribution plan
Define contribution plan is the registered pension plan of the employee contributing by both employee himself or herself and employer base on a certain percentage of the employee income. The total amounts are invested by some pension funds on behalf of all employees in the company. When the employee retires, the large lump sum is annuitized or otherwise invested to provide a pension.
The pension provider will create illustrations based on various compound interest returns, but does not guarantee the outcome. The funds may be invested in fixed interest returns or a variety of securities, or any combination thereof. Most registered pension plan sold today are directed money purchase plans.
2. Define benefit plan
Most plans require at least for a 5% contribution by employer and employee. The pension provides for a formula as below
percentage of contribution x monthly income requirement x years of service = monthly retirement benefit.
If the employer’s contribution is not sufficient, the employer must make additional lump sum payments to create the necessary funds.
The defined benefit plan has two known factors and one unknown factor
a) Known factors
* Employee contribution
* The pension is known well before retirement.
b) Unknown factor
How much for the employer to fund such pension, because the return of investments are not guaranteed.
The formula used may provide for several variations, based on the amount of the pension
* Best five years of earnings.
* Best five years of earnings in the last ten years.
* Final average.
Pension parallels final year’s income
* Career average.
Employer contribution to employee registered pension plan depends on seniority of each employee resulting in less contributing for younger employees.
* Flat benefit plan.
negotiated by union on behalf of employee as a union member with employer.
Weekly Past Publication Article Mar -12-2009
Taxation of Critical Illness Policies
As we mentioned in previous article, critical illness insurance is a type of insurance which will pay a lump tax free benefit to the insured if he is diagnosis of one of the critical illnesses covered by the policy. The benefit is intended to help insured persons maintain their quality of life and financial independence after suffering a life-threatening illness. In this article, we will discuss the taxation of critical illness insurance.
Critical Illness policy is considered to be an accident and sickness policy.
a) If the policyholder, the insured, the payor of the premium and the beneficiary are all the same person, the premium are not tax deductible and the benefits are tax free.
b) In a key person
If premiums are not deducted as business expenses then the benefit is tax free if the key person insured is designated as the beneficiary. If the business is the beneficiary of the policy then premium is tax deductible and benefit is taxable.
c) Small business owners purchased critical illness insurance on themselves.
When setting up ownership in a private corporation, one significant concern is that there is no mechanism similar to the capital dividend account to permit the benefits to be paid out on a tax-free basis to shareholders. As a result, critical illness benefits payable to a private corporation can only be paid out as either taxable employment income or taxable dividends.
Therefore, it could be significant implications where the critical illness benefit is intended to be used by the shareholders as part of a buy/sell arrangement, or to fund personal expenses arising from the critical illness.
4. Corporation critical illness insurance
Some employers have incorporated Critical Illness coverage into a wage loss replacement plan If the premiums for such coverage are deductible as a business expense to the employer then the benefit are not taxable to the employee because they are not payable on a periodic basis. If the employee suffers a critical illness, benefits will be paid directly to the employee under the critical illness policy.
Some insurers are now offering one policy that includes both critical illness coverage and life insurance. The application is underwritten for both benefits at the time of sale. One premium is paid and it funds all the benefits under the policy and It makes even more complicated to the taxation of the policy.
Weekly Past Publication Article Mar -06-2009
Understand Underwriting Requirement of Critical Illness Insurance
Usually, there is a pre-screening questionnaire that will be completed. This questionnaire contains a list of uninsurable medical conditions. The use of the pre-screening questionnaire helps eliminate applications from those who are sure to be rejected.
The application for critical illness insurance is similar to an application for life insurance however, there are more questions about the applicant's family medical history.
In situations where the applicant fails to meet all the underwriting guidelines the company may offer the insured the non-standard rate. In these cases the insurer may:
1. Add a surcharge to the regular rates to reflect the increased risk for that applicant.
2. Issue a policy which contains specific exclusions , such as pre conditions exclusion, certain illnesses or conditions can be excluded
3. Basic Plan coverage only to the applicant
When underwriting a critical illness policy, the insurer will review the following areas:
1. Family History
Hereditary factors have a strong influence on the applicant suffering certain diseases in resulting of disqualification of the applicant if one or more family members has been diagnosed or has died from a covered disease.
2. Personal Health
a) Previous instances of hypertension will be closely reviewed since there is a close relationship between hypertension and the suffering of a critical illness.
b) Height and weight
Underwriters have established guidelines as to which height and weight combination are acceptable for the issuance of the critical illness insurance policies.
c) physician's statement
d) Other reports, such as medical examinations, blood tests, urine test,etc.
e) Occupation, avocations and driving habit because these can have an impact on the incidence of critical illness occurrences.
Ex: a professional driver may be more exposed to accidental dismemberment or paralysis than a person who drives only occasionally.
3. Financial Information
The amount of coverage available under critical illness insurance can be a million dollars or more. Therefore, the insurer must determine what amount of coverage is reasonable. Many insurers will normally allow coverage up to 5-7 times of the applicant's salary.
I hope this information will help. If you need more information of the above subject, please visit my home page at:
http://businessdisabilityinsurance.blogspot.com/
Weekly Past Publication Article Feb-27-2009
Option and Rider of Critical Illness Insurance
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As we mentioned in previous article, critical illness insurance is a type of insurance which will pay a lump tax free benefit to the insured if he is diagnosis of one of the critical illnesses covered by the policy. The benefit is intended to help insured persons maintain their quality of life and financial independence after suffering a life-threatening illness. In this article, we will discuss the most common options and riders offered with critical illness insurance.
Some insurers may not offer all of these options and coverages may differ somewhat from those discussed here.
1. Return of premium
Generally, this rider provides for a return of all premiums to the beneficiary when the insured dies.
There is often no additional charge for this rider. However, some insurers may charge a small additional premium.
2. Pay back of premium ider
This rider provides for a refund of all premiums at the end of the policy if there is no claim.
Many policies offer this option only where there is a level premium to age 65, 70 or 75. Other types of policy may require to pay an additional premium for this rider and it can usually only be purchased at the time of issue of the policy. Some insurers will pay a stipulated rate of interest on the premiums, in addition to the refund of premiums paid.
3. Children Rider
Some insurers offer coverage to children of the insured between the ages of 2 - 17. In some cases, insurers may offer coverage for children of the insured who will be born in the future, with coverage starting at birth.
The rider will pay a lump sum (usually $25,000) on the diagnosis of a critical illness for a child. Generally, there is a single premium charge which insures all children in the family.Weekly Past Publication Article Feb-22-2009
Types of Coverages of Critical Illness Insurance
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Generally two types of critical illness insurance are available:
1. Basic coverage:
Covers a limited number of conditions such as cancer, heart attack and stroke.
2. Comprehensive coverage:
Covers all of the conditions in the basic coverage, plus additional conditions. The actual number and types of conditions covered can differ between insurers.
Within these two plans, most companies offer 3 types of plans: 10 year renewable , level premium to age 75 and permanent plan.
1. 10 year Renewable Plan:
Rates are guaranteed in the policy but they do increase every 10 years until the policy ends, usually at age 65, 70 or 75. One common use is to provide cash to complete retirement plans should the insured become ill.
2. Level to Age 60, 65 or 70 or to age 75
Premium remain unchanged throughout the policy period,Clearly there is a greater likelihood of a covered illness occurring between age 65 and 75 so the longer-term policies will cost a little more. For levels premium to age 75, the premiums are reasonable in relation to the 10-year renewable plans, and significantly lower than the permanent plans. The premiums payable for lifetime coverage are significantly higher than for plans to age 75.
3. Permanent Plan
In order To qualify as a non-smoker, the insured must have abstained from the use of tobacco products for the 12 months preceding the application. When the insured has purchased a policy at smoker rates and subsequently stops smoking, most insurers will amend the policy to reflect the lower non-smoker rate after having received satisfactory evidence of the good health and insurability of the insured
Weekly Past Publication Article Feb-14-2009
Understand the Definitions of Critical Illness Insurance
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As we mentioned in previous article, critical illness insurance is a type of insurance which will pay a lump tax free benefit to the insured if he is diagnosis of one of the critical illnesses covered by the policy. The benefit is intended to help insured persons maintain their quality of life and financial independence after suffering a life-threatening illness. In this article, we will give you the definitions of illness that are covered in the policy.
Precise medical wording is important for an objective claim assessment and consistency in pricing the product. Diagnosis often requires specialized tests interpreted by medical experts and the definitions of covered conditions are technical and exact.
The following interpretations of conditions may vary from the policies and insurance companies
1. Heart Attack
People who suffer a heart attack will sustain damage to the heart muscle. This causes
a) Changes in the electrocardiogram (ECG) and
b) Elevation of cardiac or heart enzymes.The chance finding of ECG changes suggestive of a previous silent heart attack is not covered.
2. Coronary Artery Disease Requiring Surgery (Coronary Bypass)
The undergoing of heart surgery to correct narrowing or blockage of one or more coronary arteries with bypass grafts. This exclude any non-surgical treatment.
3. Cancer
A malignant tumor characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of malignant cells and the invasion of tissue. This includes leukemia and Hodgkin disease. Stage A prostate cancer will be covered only if the diagnosis is made before the policy anniversary nearest to the life insured's age of 75.
No benefit will be payable if
| a) | A diagnosis of any type of cancer is made within90 days of the effective date of coverage or the date of the latest reinstatement; or |
| b). | Any symptoms of medical problems commence within 90 days of the effective date of the coverage or the date of the latest reinstatement that initiate any investigations that lead to a diagnosis of any type of cancer. |
4. Stroke
It covers all 3mechanisms that cause strokes, including:
| a. | Thrombosis caused by a blockage by a clot that has built up on the wall of a brain artery; |
| 2. | Embolization caused by an embolus (usually a clot) that is swept into a brain artery causing blockage; |
| 3. | Hemorrhage - caused by the rupture of a blood vessel in or near the brain's surface. Any incident with symptoms lasting less than 24 hours is referred to as a transient ischemic attack and it does not qualify for coverage under this definition. |
5. Kidney Failure
End stage renal disease, due to whatever cause or causes, with the life Insured undergoing regular peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis or having had renal transplantation.
6. Multiple Sclerosis
Benign, chronic and acute forms of multiple sclerosis are covered under this definition. Multiple Sclerosis is an extremely difficult condition to diagnose and usually takes a number of tests to exclude other possibilities before it is confirmed. Neurological abnormalities in this context must be evidenced by the typical symptoms of demyelination with resultant impairment of the brain stem or spinal cord.
7. Major Organ Transplantation
The actual undergoing as a recipient of a transplant of a heart, lung, pancreas, kidney and bone marrow will be covered under policy/
8. Bliness
Permanent loss of sight in both eyes, as confirmed by an ophthalmologist registered with government. The benefit will be paid regardless the cause, disease or degeneration of the eye ball, the optic nerve or the nerve pathways connecting to the brain or the brain itself.
Total, permanent and profound loss of hearing in both ears with an auditory threshold of more than 90 decibels and confirmed by an registered otolaryngologist.
10. Alzheimer's Disease
The diagnosis by a doctor (who is either a certified neurologist or a certified psychiatrist) that the Life Insured has Alzheimer's Disease, and supported by evident of a progessive degeneration of the disease.The Life Insured must exhibit the loss of intellectual capacity involving impairment of memory and judgment. The disease progresses to severe loss of memory and death usually within 10 years.
11. Paralysis
Complete and permanent loss of use of two or more limbs for a continuous period of days following the precipitating event, during which time there has no sign of improvement.
The disease is progressive, degenerative of the central nervous system and characterized by muscular rigidity, tremor and slow movements. This definition only covers idiopathic' Parkinson's Disease. "Idiopathic" means that the disease must have originated from an unknown cause Parkinson's disease originating from taking certain drugs or toxic chemicals, etc. will not be covered.
13. Occupational HIV Injury
The diagnosis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) resulting from accidental injury during the course of insured's normal occupation, which exposed the insured to HIV contaminated blood or body fluids.
Payment under this covered condition requires satisfaction of all of the following:
| 1. | The accidental injury must be reported to the ompany within 14 days of its occurrence; |
| 2. | An HIV test must be taken within 14 days of the accidental injury and the result must be negative; |
| 3. | An HIV test must be taken between90 days and 180 days after the accidental injury and the result must be positive; |
| 4. | HIV tests must be performed by facilities approved by the Company; |
| 5. | All the accidental injury must have been reported, investigated and documented in accordance with workplace guidelines; |
| 6. | The accidental injury must have occurred while the life insured was working in Canada or the United States. |
No payment will be made if:
| 1. | The Life Insured has elected not to take any available licensed vaccine offering protection against HIV; or |
| 2. | A licensed cure for HIV infection has become available prior to the accidental injury; or |
| 3. | HIV infection has occurred as a result of non-accidental injury (including, but not limited to, sexual transmission or intravenous drug use). For more information, please visit my home page at: http://lifeanddisabitityinsuranceunderwriter.blogspot.com/ |
Weekly Past Publication Article Feb-07-2009
The Coverage of Critical Illness Insurance
As we mentioned in previous article, critical illness insurance is a type of insurance which will pay a lump tax free benefit to the insured if he is diagnosis of one of the critical illnesses covered by the policy. The benefit is intended to help insured persons maintain their quality of life and financial independence after suffering a life-threatening illness.
Critical illness insurance covers over 10 impairments including the following
1. Heart disease,
2.Coronary artery bypass graft.
3.Cancer
4.Renal or kidney failure
5.Multiple sclerosis
6.Major organ transplant
7.Blindness
8.Deafness
9.Alzheimer's disease
10.Paralysis
11.Parkinson's disease
12. Occupational HIV Injury
We will try to discuss the precised definitions of above conditions in the next article, but in this article we will try to focus on the waiting period and policy exception.
a) Waiting period or elimination period
In order to To qualify for the benefit, the insured must survive the diagnosis of the illness for 30 days. If the insured dies within 30 days of the diagnosis, the beneficiary is entitled only to a refund of the premiums paid.
b) Exceptions to the waiting period
i) If the insured is diagnosed with cancer within 90 days of the when the policy was issued the claim will be denied. Many insurers will terminate the insurance and refund the premium if cancer is diagnosed within this 90 day period. This reduces the chances of the insurer being selected against by insureds who may have reason to suspect the onset of cancer.
c) Pre-conditions are not covered in the policy, unless approved by insurance underwriter and included in the policy coverages.
ii) Many insurers also require either
* a 90-day
* a 180-day waiting period after the onset of paralysis before they will make a payment under the Critical Illness policy.Once a policy pays out a critical illness benefit, the policy is terminated.
Weekly past Publication Article Jan-31-2009
What is Critical Illness Insurance?
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Critical illness insurance is a type of insurance which will pay a lump tax free benefit to the insured if he is diagnosis of one of the critical illnesses covered by the policy. The benefit is intended to help insured persons maintain their quality of life and financial independence after suffering a life-threatening illness.
Be sure to understand that critical illness insurance is not
1. based on the inability to work or the death of the insured.
2. needed to be a specific expense that is incurred to qualify for the benefit.
It is designed to pay a lump sum benefit when a person is diagnosed with a covered condition and subject to a waiting period.
This type of insurance creates a great deal of financial flexibility for insured who suffers a major illness.
Critical illness insurance can fill the gap left by more traditional forms of insurance, such as
1. Life Insurance is designed to provide financial assistance to surviving family members after the death of the insured. Payment of the benefit is made as a lump sum.
2. Disability Insurance is designed to replace income loss that results from a disability arising out of an accident or sickness.
(a) It pays a percentage of the insured's income.
(b) It pays after a waiting period.
(c) It pays for a defined benefit period. Not everyone qualifies for this type of coverage.
3. Medical Insurance is designed to reimburse specific medical expenses incurred by the insured. Medical Insurance usually contains both
(a) Deductibles and
(b) A co-insurance requirement. The effect of these factors is that insureds are required to pay part of these expenses.
Now you can see that critical illness insurance is a need for insurance that paid a living benefit to the insureds who survived a major illness to off set the lost of income and pay additional expenses.
I hope this information will help. If you need more information of the above subject, please visit my home page at:
http://lifeanddisabitityinsuranceunderwriter.blogspot.com/
http://businessdisabilityinsurance.blogspot.com/
Tax Effectiveness for Charitable Donation Article By Kyle J. Norton
Weekly Past Publication Article Jan-23-2009
Donations at Death
As we mentioned in previous article, The federal government has creates a tax reduction program for people making donation to charities because giving money to charity provides many benefits to both the community and the donor, most people do not give much thought to developing a tax-effective strategy for charitable giving. Although many people make charitable bequests in their wills, other ways of giving may be less costly to them and their estates. In this article, we will focuses on the tax effectiveness of charitable donation at death.This is for the taxpayer estate benefit and better position when donation of capital property rather than selling first and subsequently donating the cash proceed from the sale. At the date of death, the tax department deems that all property has been disposed for proceeds equal to the FMV, unless the property is transferred to the spouse.
1) Donation of life insurance
Taxpayers may be eligible to receive a donation credit when they donate the proceeds of an insurance policy if the policy is absolutely assigned to a charity.The amount eligible for the donation tax credit include
a) the cash surrender value of the policy.
b) Accumulated dividends and interest at the time of the transfer.
c) The amount of any future premium payments.
2) Donation of residual interest in a trust or estate
Taxpayers may transfer their property to an irrevocable trust and then name a charity as the capital beneficiary so they can receive a donation tax credit equal to the FMV of the trust's residual interest. This transfer can be done
a) During the taxpayer's lifetime.
b) Upon their death.
The amount of the receipt issued by charitable organization will be the present value, at the time of transfer, of the amount of donation.
3. Gifts of cultural property
Donations of cultural property can be claimed to the extent of 100% of net income. Excess donations can be carried forward five years. If the donation is made in the year of death, the donation credit can be carried back one year, to the extent of 100% of net income.
4. Ecological gifts
The donation gift credit is also available for gifts of a covenant or an easement or servitude for ecologically sensitive land. The FMV of this type of donation or gift is considered to be the greater of
a) The fair market value otherwise determined
b) The amount by which the fair market value of the land to which the gift relates is decreased as a result of the gift.
I hope this information will help. If you need more information, you can read the complete series of the above subject at my home page:
http://lifeanddisabitityinsuranceunderwriter.blogspot.com/
http://charitabledonationandtaxi.blogspot.com/
http://charitabledonationandtaxii.blogspot.com/
Weekly past Publication Article Jan-17-2009
Annual Donation Limit at Death
As we mention in previous article, the federal government has creates a tax reduction program for people making donation to charities because giving money to charity provides many benefits to both the community and the donor, most people do not give much thought to developing a tax-effective strategy for charitable giving. Although many people make charitable bequests in their wills, other ways of giving may be less costly to them and their estates. In this article, we will focuses on the tax effectiveness of annual donation limit at death for individuals.
I. Definition
Any charitable made in a person will are deemed to be contributed in the year of death.
II. Limitation of contribution
a) The donation claim limit from 75% of net income to 100% in the year of death.
b) Any excess donations made in the year of death can be carried back one year.
III. Donation of capital property
Making a donation of capital property rather than selling the property and then donating the cash has become more attractive for taxpayers as result of recent changes in the income tax rules. These tax rules provide for preferential treatment of capital gains from specified securities. The following rules apply for gifts of capital property
a) Donation receipt
The charity must issue a donation receipt for an amount equal to the fair market value (FMV) of the property. Care must be taken to establish an appropriate FMV for the donated property and The receipt issued by the recipient will record their acceptance of the FMV of the donation. In some cases, more than one appraisal may be required.
b) Claim limit
In addition to the annual general charitable donation claim limit of 75%, the charitable donation claim limit will be increased by an amount equal to 25% of any taxable capital gains realized as a result of the donation.
c) Private company shares or debt
Gifts of this type of asset are limited by recent changes in the income tax rules. The donation of flow-through shares is made through the use of private corporations might resulting in additional tax savings, because this type of donation is not subject to capital gains tax, the full value of the flow-through shares donated would be non-taxable.
I hope this information will help. If you need more information, you can read the complete series of the above subject at my home page:
http://lifeanddisabitityinsuranceunderwriter.blogspot.com/
http://life-insurance09.blogspot.com
http://charitabledonationandtaxi.blogspot.com/
Weekly Past Publication Article Jan-10-2009
Understand Individual Charitable Donation for Tax Effectiveness
The federal government has creates a tax reduction program for people making donation to charities because giving money to charity provides many benefits to both the community and the donor, most people do not give much thought to developing a tax-effective strategy for charitable giving. Although many people make charitable bequests in their wills, other ways of giving may be less costly to them and their estates. In this article, we will focuses on the tax effectiveness of charitable donation for individuals.
1. Income tax incentive
The US and Canadian income tax system provides tax credits to encourage taxpayers to make gifts to charitable organizations. The system is designed to grant a tax credit at the top marginal tax rate. The actual tax credit may vary slightly depending on the states and provinces in which the taxpayer resides.
2. Eligible organizations and associations
The tax credit is available to taxpayers for donations to any of the following:
a) Registered charities . . . including universities and colleges.
b) Registered amateur athletic associations.
c) Non-profit corporations.
d) The United Nations and related agencies.
e) Registered national arts service organizations.
f) Federal debt servicing and reduction account.
g) Federal, state and provincial governments, crown foundations, municipalities.
h) Approved foreign universities.
3. How to claim the tax credits
In order to claim the tax credit, the taxpayer must file an official receipt indicating, a) The date on which donation is made
b) Receipts and registration number.
Donations should always be reported on the tax return for the year the gift is made. This applies to total donations including donation that exceed the annual claim limit. This helps to facilitate the tracking of any carry forward amounts and minimizes the risk of lost receipts. A taxpayer can report and claim a donation in any of five subsequent years subject to the annual donation claim limit.
4. Annual Donation Limit
A. Under the Income Tax Act, the annual general donation claim limit is 75% of yearly net income and either spouse can make the claim. Net income usually includes.
a) Employment
b) Pension
c) Interests, dividends and capital gains
d) Business income
B. However, there are certain amounts that must be deducted in calculating net income.
a) Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and 401k contributions
b) Carrying charges and employment expenses
I hope this information will help. If you need more information, you can read the complete series of the above subject at my home page:
http://lifeanddisabitityinsuranceunderwriter.blogspot.com/
http://life-insurance09.blogspot.com
Life Insurance in general view
The Subject of life insurance has under review many time,but today general public still have much misunderstanding how life insurance worked toward their family. By all life insurance not only to protect life insured love one,from IRS,.....but also protect insured itself to ward retirement.
There many types of life insurances that insurance companies offers in the market. Understand the right life insurance product works best for oneself will save a lot money as well as protection to ward one beneficiaries in case of insured and suddenly death.
UNIVERSAL LIFE INSURANCE
Flexible Protection Universal life products give you the flexibility to choose the amount of protection that best suits your family or business. It allows you to increase or decrease coverage as insurance needs change. Increased coverage may be subject to underwriting requirements. You may not decrease your coverage below the required minimum. A decrease may result in a surrender charge being applied against the policy's cash value.
Flexible Premiums With universal life insurance, you control the amount and frequency of payments. Looking towards the future? You have the option to increase the premium or make lump sum contributions, subject to limits as specified in the policy. The extra dollars grow tax-deferred, and may increase the cash and death benefit values. On the other hand, in a temporary cash crunch, you can pay less than the scheduled premium and let the policy's accumulated cash value pay the remainder of the monthly charges.
Flexible Design Universal life products can be customized with innovative policy features to fit your lifestyle. To learn more about how universal life policy riders can protect your spouse and children, protect your ability to cover monthly policy charges during disability, and increase the benefit to your family if you should die accidentally.
Universal life main objective to use it to create wealth for retirement, protect beneficiary from IRS and take premium time off when insured want.
TERM LIFE INSURANCE
Term life insurance offers life insurance protection for a specific number of years. It builds no cash value, you pay only for the life insurance. That's why term life is less expensive than permanent life insurance. So you can afford more protection for your loved ones.
Term life insurance lasts for a specific number of years, from 1-30 years. The most common term is 10 or 20 years.
Term life insurance policies pay the beneficiary the face amount of the life insurance policy if the insured person dies during the term of the policy. For example, a 15-year term life policy with a face amount of $250,000 would pay $250,000 to the beneficiary if the insured died any time during those 15 years.
Usually, term life costs less than permanent life insurance.
At the end of the policy term, the insured is no longer insured, and a death benefit is no longer paid. Some term life insurance policies are renewable, or can be converted to permanent life insurance.
Term life insurance work best for young family, while you pay very litlle to have high amount of coverage. Since most term life insurance policies also included renewable and convertible in term life policy. Polecy owner can convert the same amount of coverage to any whole life or universal life policy when needed and premium recalculated at age of converted
WHOLE LIFE INSURANCE
Premiums generally are level and payable for life: Since premiums are level, the younger you are when you purchase a whole life policy, the less expensive the annual premiums will be.State Farm also offers whole life policies that provide shorter premium payment periods, such as 15 years or a one-time payment.
Dividends: Whole life insurance policies can earn dividends. Dividends result when our actual life insurance costs turn out to be less than we assumed in setting our premiums. When this happens, State Farm may return a portion of your life insurance premium to you as a dividend. Dividends are not guaranteed, since we don't know our actual costs in advance.
Guaranteed Cash Values: Unlike term life insurance, which does not accumulate any cash values, some of the money you pay into your whole life policy accumulates as guaranteed cash values. If you choose to surrender the policy, these guaranteed cash values would be available to you. Or, as long as the policy is in force, you may borrow against them as a policy loan at the current policy loan interest rate. The amount of your guaranteed cash value depends on the kind of whole life policy you have, its size and how long you have had it. The growth in cash values is tax deferred under current federal income tax law. Borrowed amounts reduce the death benefit and cash surrender value.
Whole life insurance is an older insurance offered. It is only work for people like to pay of the life insurance policy in certain years and taken divident to buy additional insurance coverage. many of company offer this type of insurance to their most value employee.
LIFE INSURANCE RIDER FOR UNIVERSAL & WHOLE LIFE INSURANCE
Accidental Death Benefit (ADB)The ADB rider provides an additional death benefit equal to the face amount of the policy if the insured dies as the result of an accident, up to $300,000 maximum, to age 70.
Children's Insurance (CI)The CI rider provides level term insurance for the children of the primary insured. After the first three policy years, CI term insurance may be converted to permanent insurance of up to five times the face amount of the term insurance, without evidence of insurability required. (Only attained age conversions are permitted.) It may be converted to permanent insurance on the policy anniversary when the child is married or age 25, or the insured is age 65 — whichever comes first.
Child's Protection Benefit (CPB)The CPB rider protects the ability to continue paying for insurance purchased on a child. If a parent or guardian becomes disabled, the policy premiums on the child's policy will be waived by New York Life until the child is 25 years old.
Dividend Option Term rider for whole life only is a combination of a decreasing term insurance rider and base plan paid-up additions. It is ideal in situations where you need permanent coverage but can't afford the full Whole Life premium. It can be converted to a Whole Life or Modified Premium Whole Life policy in the first ten policy years.
Five Year Term (5YT)A 5YT rider is an affordable way to provide additional insurance on the base insured, a spouse, a child, a parent or a business partner. It can be converted to permanent insurance in the future on an attained age basis. Premiums are guaranteed and level for the first five years. Premiums in years 6-10 increase and are expected, but not guaranteed, to remain level. Thereafter, premiums increase annually.
Increasing Premium Term (IPT)An IPT rider can be an affordable way to provide additional insurance for the insured covered under the base plan. It can be converted to permanent life insurance during the conversion period without providing additional evidence of insurability. Premiums increase annually and are guaranteed for the first three years.
Insurance Exchange (IE)The IE rider provides for the exchange of a Whole Life policy only to a successor insured, subject to evidence of good health. It can be used in a business arrangement where, if a key employee decides to leave the company, the coverage could be used for the employee taking his/her position.
Living Benefits Rider (LBR)The LBR gives the policyowner access to a portion of the policy's eligible death benefit during the insured's lifetime should the insured be diagnosed with a terminal illness and found to have a life expectancy of 12 months or less.2 The LBR can be added to a Whole Life policy at the request of the policyowner at any time. Various states have established different life expectancy periods once terminal illness is diagnosed. Your agent or service center can provide you with the specific information.
Option to Purchase Paid-Up Additions rider for whole life policy only gives the policyowner the contractual right to purchase additional paid-up permanent life insurance, at an affordable cost, which has cash value and loan value, and is eligible for dividends.3 These cash values can be borrowed4 against to help fund retirement, education, or other needs. OPP cash values can also be used to help reduce out-of-pocket premium payments.
Policy Purchase Option rider for whole life policy only guarantees the contractual right to purchase additional insurance at critical junctures in a lifetime, when life insurance needs are likely to increase, such as a marriage, or the birth or adoption of a child. This additional insurance may be purchased, without evidence of insurability, at option dates every three years between ages 22 and 46. The amounts you may purchase at each option date range from a minimum of $10,000 up to $100,000 depending on your original issue age.
Spouse and Children's Insurance (SCI)5The SCI rider allows the insured to purchase term insurance for a spouse and child(ren). After the first three years, this insurance may be converted to permanent insurance. For a child(ren), it may be converted without evidence of good health required on the policy anniversary when the child is married or age 25, or the insured is age 65 — whichever comes first.
Spouse's Paid-Up Insurance Purchase Option (SPPO)6The SPPO rider gives the beneficiary/spouse the right to purchase a new paid-up whole life policy only on his/her life without providing evidence of insurability at the time of the insured's death. Since all the proceeds need not be used for the new policy, SPPO provides first and second death liquidity, and may serve to insure someone otherwise uninsurable. This rider can be an effective estate planning tool.
Survivor Purchase Option (SPO)The SPO rider allows the beneficiary of the death benefit proceeds to purchase a new life insurance policy on a designated insured (usually a spouse) without proof of insurability. The amount of coverage can be from one to five times the base policy. SPO is available to policyowners at an affordable cost.
Depend on you family or company situations, please consult with your financial advisor before buying any life insurance.
