Lapsing Life Insurance Policy: Options

Sometimes insurance policies that seemed like a good idea during an individual’s middle-aged years can become a burden as that person ages. There are good reasons for a policyholder to shed such an unwanted policy, but what many people don’t understand is that there are other options to lapsing a life insurance policy.

If premiums have become unwieldy, or the original beneficiary of the policy no longer needs the funds because of altered circumstances, the first reaction is often to let the policy lapse. What does lapsation entail, and why should seniors consider alternatives that could result in a better financial result?

Here are three key questions policyholders who are considering doing away with their life insurance policies should ask themselves:

Do You Need The Life Insurance Policy?

The first step, for an individual considering getting rid of an insurance policy, is to consider the cost and future benefit and make a thorough determination of whether that policy is still necessary. Significant changes in income or family structure, in particular, may diminish the efficacy of a policy, especially if the intended beneficiary no longer needs the payout.

How Are The Life Insurance Premiums Affecting You?

For seniors, particularly those on fixed incomes with rising health care costs, continuing to budget for insurance premiums might not be the best use of limited resources. Additionally, depending on the structure of the policy premiums can get more expensive as the years go on. Seniors who are discouraged by this burden are often tempted to just stop paying and let the policy lapse rather than considering a more profitable alternative.

Other Options to a Lapsing Policy?

Even if policy holders are convinced that they would be better off without a particular insurance policy, they could explore the option to sell their policy before letting it lapse. Lapsation removes the premium burden, but it doesn’t compensate the individual for the money paid out in premiums over the years. Rather than let a policy lapse, more and more seniors are investigating life settlements, which allow for the sale of a policy for cash.

Not everyone qualifies for a life settlement, but for those who do qualify, it provides a way of unloading a policy that has become a liability. Find out if you can turn your life insurance policy into asset today by scheduling a call with a Magna life settlement specialist or trying our simple life settlement calculator.

*Comments provided in this blog post are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice, recommendations or solicitations. Please consult your financial, legal or tax professional with questions related to the information presented, or for advice as to whether a life settlement is right for you.