
With a viatical settlement, you sell your life insurance policy to a third-party (such as a viatical settlement provider). You receive a lump sum cash payment from the buyer—and the buyer assumes responsibility for paying your policy premiums while becoming the new policy owner and sole beneficiary of the policy death benefit and payout.
Full Answer
What is a viatical settlement provider?
What Does Viatical Settlement Provider Mean? A viatical settlement provider is a party who exchanges something of value to a person with a life insurance policy in order to obtain the right to the death benefits of the life insurance policy.
What is the difference between a policyholder and a Viator?
The policyholder gets a lump sum while a third party takes over future premiums and receives the benefits upon the original policyholder’s death. What is a Viator in Insurance? The viator is the person selling their insurance policy in a viatical settlement.
What is a life insurance settlement and how does it work?
This kind of settlement happens when somebody who is chronically or terminally sick sells their life insurance policy to someone else. The buyer of the policy gets the death benefit when the seller passes away.
Which states regulate viatical settlements?
Thorough viatical settlement regulations and laws are provided in Puerto Rico as well as 45 states. Keep in mind that New Mexico and Michigan regulate viatical settlements but do not do the same for standard life settlements.

What is a viatical settlement purchaser?
VIATICAL SETTLEMENT PURCHASER A person who invests in one or more viatical contracts. Policyowner – The person or party who owns an insurance policy. The policyowner is usually the insured and/or the beneficiary, but can be someone else.
What is the risk to the purchaser in a viatical settlement transaction?
What is the risk to the purchaser in a viatical settlement transaction? The insured does not die within the time period anticipated.
What does a viatical settlement broker do?
A viatical settlement broker represents the person with the life insurance policy looking to get a viatical settlement. They 'broker out' the insured's policy to a network of licensed providers in order to generate bids/offers on their clients behalf.
What is the difference between a viatical settlement and a life settlement?
The two main categories of insurance policy sales are life settlements and viatical settlements. A life settlement differs from a viatical settlement because the insured in a life settlement is usually healthy, while a viatical settlement pertains to a sale by an insured with a terminal illness.
Who must approve a viatical settlement?
A viatical settlement contract or disclosure statement form shall be deemed approved by the Commissioner if not disapproved within 60 days from submission.
Who pays all future premiums after the viatical settlement?
The buyer (the viatical settlement provider) becomes the new owner of the life insurance policy, pays future premiums, and collects the death benefit when the insured dies. At one time, most viatical settlements were from people with a life-threatening illness.
How much is paid in a viatical settlement?
What are the Differences Between Viatical Settlements and Accelerated Death Benefits?Viatical SettlementsHow much can I get?VSPs pay a lump sum usually from 50% to 85% of the face value of your policy, depending on your life expectancy.6 more rows
How often does a viatical settlement provider license expire?
A viatical settlement provider license must be renewed annually by payment of $300 on or before the thirty-first day of May next following the date of issuance. If a viatical settlement provider fails to pay the renewal fee, the nonpayment shall result in a lapse of the license.
What is the primary feature of a viatical settlement?
So, What Is the Primary Feature of a Viatical Settlement? Essentially, it is the prepayment of a death benefit at a reduced rate. However, it is important to note that the cash settlement is provided in exchange for the sale and transfer of the ownership rights of the life insurance policy.
What is another name for the insured in a viatical settlement?
What is another name for the insured in a viatical settlement? The insured in a viatical settlement is also known as the viator.
Are viatical settlements taxable?
Is A Viatical Settlement Taxable? Most of the time, viatical settlements are not taxable. Settlement proceeds for terminally ill insureds are considered an advance of the life insurance benefit. Life insurance benefits are tax-free, and so it follows that the viatical settlement wouldn't be taxed, either.
When can viatical settlements be issued?
There are viatical settlement requirements regarding the total value of your policy. In most cases, a policy must exceed $100K in face value to be eligible for a viatical settlement. Additionally, most states require that a policy must be owned for at least two years before a policyowner can sell it.
Who does a life settlement broker represent?
the policy ownerA life settlement broker is a state licensed professional who represents life insurance policyholders in the life settlement marketplace. This individual or entity is regulated by the Department of Insurance in the home state of the policy owner to solicit life settlement offers from multiple life settlement providers.
Who does a life settlement broker represent quizlet?
Life settlement broker is a person who, for compensation, solicits, negotiates, or offers to negotiate a life settlement contract. Life settlement brokers represent only the policy owner.
What is the meaning of viatical?
viatical. / (vaɪˈætɪkəl) / adjective. of or denoting a road or a journey. botany (of a plant) growing by the side of a road.
Which of the following best defines the owner in a life settlement contract?
Chapter 4-PrimericaQuestioAnswerWhat best defines the "owner" as it pertains to life settlement contracts?The policyowner of the life insurance policyWho is the owner and who is the beneficiary on a Key Person Life Insurance Policy?The employer is the owner and beneficiary21 more rows
What is a Viatical Settlement?
Viatical settlements allow someone diagnosed with a life-threatening illness to sell their life insurance policy for cash. This person is known as...
How Does a Viatical Settlement Work?
Once someone has decided to sell their life insurance policy, they usually reach out directly to a viatical settlement company or viatical settleme...
How Much Money Will I Get from a Viatical Settlement?
Typically, the rate you’ll receive is 50 to 70% of the policy’s value. For example, let’s say the viator, John, has a life insurance policy for $50...
How Much Money Will I Get from a Viatical Settlement?
Typically, the rate you’ll receive is 50 to 70% of the policy’s value. For example, let’s say the viator, John, has a life insurance policy for $50...
Viatical Settlements vs. Senior Life Settlements – How Are They Different?
On the surface, it seems like viatical settlements and senior life settlements are the same things, but they differ in a few crucial ways. Senior L...
Why Choose a Viatical Settlement?
The main reason why a person may choose to sell a viatical settlement is that the policyholder needs the money. This need could be for anything: a...
How Quickly Can I Get a Viatical Settlement?
Typical payout time with American Life Fund is within a few weeks.
Who Qualifies for a Viatical Settlement?
Any individual with a chronic or life-threatening illness and an existing life insurance policy qualifies for a viatical settlement. The policy can...
Why Choose a Viatical Settlement?
The main reason why a person may choose to sell a viatical settlement is that the policyholder needs the money. This need could be for anything: a house, a car, a family emergency, or an investment opportunity.
What is a viatic settlement?
Viatical settlements allow someone diagnosed with a life-threatening illness to sell their life insurance policy for cash. This person is known as the “viator.”
How Quickly Can I Get a Viatical Settlement?
Typical payout time with American Life Fund is within a few weeks. Here’s how it works:
What is viatical life?
Per the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), any individual with a chronic illness or terminal illness, defined as a condition that affects the activities of daily living, and an existing policy with an insurance company may qualify for a viatical life settlement.
How long does a viaticated policy last?
Generally speaking, the viaticated policy needs to have been in effect for a minimum of one year and have a valuation of at least $100,000. A viatical settlement purchaser may also have life expectancy requirements for each applicant, typically two to four years or less.
What do policyholders use viatical settlement funds for?
Some policyholders use the funds from their viatical settlement to seek further treatment or even experimental treatments.
How long do you have to live to get a life settlement?
Life settlements are typically given to those who are expected to live more than two to four years or whose diagnosis is debilitating but not terminal, and viatical settlements are given to those expected to live less than two to four years.
What happens to a life insurance policy when the seller dies?
Once the settlement is made , the company or individual who purchased the policy will make payments on premiums and receive the death benefit when the seller dies.
What are the advantages of viatical settlement?
The most considerable advantage of choosing a viatical settlement instead of other options is that the policyholder will acquire more income than would be granted by the policy’s cash surrender value. This can provide extra money for medical expenditures or make life more comfortable while waiting for the end.
What is viatical settlement?
Wondering what a viatical settlement is all about? This kind of settlement happens when somebody who is chronically or terminally sick sells their life insurance policy to someone else. The buyer of the policy gets the death benefit when the seller passes away. The policy seller will receive a payout that is more substantial than the cash surrender value but remains less than the full death benefit amount.
How does a life settlement work?
If you’re familiar with a life settlement, you might be wondering what makes it different from a viatical settlement. There are a few important things that differ between the two: 1 Viatical settlements are created for the chronically or terminally ill. With a life settlement, there is no requirement to be sick. 2 Life settlements only work with permanent policies like variable life insurance, universal life insurance, or whole life insurance. With a viatical settlement, this is not a requirement. 3 Most of the time, a viatical settlement will pay much more money than a typical life settlement. 4 Taxes are different for life settlements and viatical settlements. Viatical settlements aren’t subject to income tax, but some parts of a life settlement will be. The amount spent on premiums isn’t counted, but the remainder will be subject to capital gains and income taxes.
How long do you have to own a life insurance policy before it can be sold?
Keep in mind that New Mexico and Michigan regulate viatical settlements but do not do the same for standard life settlements. One of the things that varies the most is how long you have to have owned your policy before it can be sold. This is typically two years, but some states have no regulations and others can have up to a five-year waiting period.
How many states have viatical settlement laws?
Thorough viatical settlement regulations and laws are provided in Puerto Rico as well as 45 states.
Why do people take out life insurance?
However, if your recipients are independent financially, they may not require the death benefits. Your own needs may be more critical, which can lead to the need for a viatical settlement.
What Is The Difference Between a Viatical Settlement and a Life Settlement?
If you’re looking to sell your life insurance policy for a lump-sum cash payment, you can do so through either a viatical settlement or a life settlement.
Why is viatical settlement important?
Since viatical settlements are based on the speculation of death, it’s essential that potential policyholders fully comprehend the basics of viatical settlements in relation to their current situation. Due to the time value of money, the longer the life expectancy rate, the cheaper the policy will be, and the longer an individual lives, the lower the return is. Due to this, it’s highly important that you invest your time with a viatical settlements company that’s both reputable and has your best interest at heart.
What Is a Life Settlement?
A life settlement, or “senior settlement”, is a financial transaction where the owner of a life insurance policy (the seller) transfers ownership and beneficiary rights to a life settlement company (the purchaser).
Why is it important to invest time in viatical settlements?
Due to the time value of money, the longer the life expectancy rate, the cheaper the policy will be, and the longer an individual lives, the lower the return is . Due to this, it’s highly important that you invest your time with a viatical settlements company that’s both reputable and has your best interest at heart.
Why sell life insurance policy?
The benefit to selling a life insurance policy in the event of retirement or old age is that the insured will obtain significantly more money than if they were to simply surrender the policy or allow it to lapse.
Do you have to be ill to receive a viatical settlement?
In contrast, with a life settlement, you don’t necessarily need to be ill, but you typically need to be over the age of 70. Generally, viatical settlements payouts tend to be larger, due to their specialized nature. Viatical settlements are also completely free of income tax. When you receive a viatical settlement, you get to keep the whole thing.
Is a life settlement a loan?
A life settlement is not a loan, it is a one-time cash transaction that results in a full transfer of ownership in exchange for a lump sum. The money belongs entirely to the policy seller and can be spent at his or her discretion.
What is the Difference Between a Viatical Settlement and a Life Settlement?
If you’re of retirement age and have a life insurance policy in your name, knowing the difference between a life settlement and a viatical settlement can help you make the right decisions for yourself and your loved ones later on.
What is a Viatical Settlement?
With a viatical settlement, you sell your life insurance policy to a third-party (such as a viatical settlement provider). You receive a lump sum payment from the buyer—and the buyer assumes responsibility for paying your policy premiums while becoming the sole beneficiary of the policy benefits.
What Does Viatical Settlement Provider Mean?
A viatical settlement provider is a party who exchanges something of value to a person with a life insurance policy in order to obtain the right to the death benefits of the life insurance policy. It is common for a sum of cash to be exchanged to the life insurance policy holder for the rights to the death benefits.
Why do people make viatical settlements?
This could be because they suddenly develop a serous illness or because they are losing their home , or something else that is extreme in nature. Typically, the viatical settlement provider will provide an amount of money that is less than the death benefit of the insurance policy. This way, when the original policyholder dies, the settlement provider will make a profit consisting of the difference between the death benefit and the settlement amount plus any premiums paid.