Life Cycle Financial Planners, LLC

Tag: high net worth

  • Why Do Some People Own Permanent Life Insurance?

    Why Do Some People Own Permanent Life Insurance?

    Permanent life insurance offers the best value possible. In the world of life insurance, the lowest net cost means the best value. People who can afford higher premiums in the early years demand the best value and they will be infinitely better off, in terms of the net cost, with a permanent form of life insurance.

    Term life insurance has low entry premiums but it is only temporary insurance and it is priced accordingly.

    Because it has low entry premiums, term insurance is easy to sell. The Term-ites (term only salespeople) attempt to commoditize this product so it can be easily sold online without a professional’s help. They can be somewhat cultish about why they believe term is better, all the time, for everyone. Some life insurance companies have carved out a niche as term only carriers because term insurance certainly has its place in the market. It is often the right choice for buy-sell agreement funding, short term loans and young families with limited financial resources.

    Permanent life insurance is often referred to as whole life insurance and it offers much better value for life insurance buyers who want lifetime coverage and can afford higher premiums in the early years. Comparing the net cost of permanent life insurance to to the net cost of term insurance is the right way to measure its superior value. Using the simple definition of net cost to be the total premiums paid minus total cash value, the goal of switching from term insurance to permanent insurance is an important step to take in optimal life insurance planning.

    What is the difference between term insurance and permanent life insurance?

    Permanent life insurance is better value for anyone considering coverage for life. Term insurance is the ideal name for temporary insurance. Term premiums increase when we are forced to renew. When the temporary insurance expires, people often find themselves without coverage when it is needed most.

    People buy permanent life insurance once its superior value is understood.

    “But Dave Ramsey and Suze Orman don’t like permanent life insurance”. Neither of them are insurance professionals and neither one counsels individuals. Their target audiences are young families unable to buy anything but term coverage and we applaud these families for doing so. Dave Ramsey and Suze Orman’s job is to sell ads and one way to do that is by making indefensible claims about popular products.

    When people move out of the “paycheck to paycheck” lifestyle, they become potential permanent life insurance buyers. Since more than ninety seven percent of ALL term policies do not pay a claim, then 97 percent of ALL term premium are wasted.  High Net Worth (HNW) consumers and high income earners need permanent life insurance for many different reasons:

    Income Replacement:  If your family  or business depends on your income, regardless of your age, life insurance guarantees no family disruption due to loss of income. 

    Immediate Liquidity – Wealth Transference:  High net worth and ultra-high net worth people own life insurance because they want GUARANTEED LIQUIDITY at death and they purchase permanent insurance because it’s guaranteed for life. 

    Some others are:

    • Asset values can fluctuate significantly. 
    • Children working in a family business. Life insurance is the great equalizer for those children who do not work in the business. Without liquidity in these cases, there is great risk to a smooth succession of the business.
    • Many clients own a life insurance policy for each of their grandchildren. The insurance policy is straightforward and inexpensive.
    • Premium Financing. HNW people have the ability to finance life insurance. When it makes sense, it is a very effective tool to create tax free wealth.

    High Net Worth people own life insurance to reinforce their succession plans. In these cases, assets may be real estate, businesses and other non-liquid assets. Life insurance provides immediate, tax free liquidity. It gives the family and their advisors time to properly execute the succession plan. Too many times, without sufficient liquidity, anxiety creeps in and family members get nervous. This can lead to litigation, confusion and disruption.

    Please contact us at 561-771-4647 or email me at TB@LifeCyclePlanners.com about a free review.

    Visit us at www.facebook.com/lifecycleplanners

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whole_life_insurance l https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_insurance#Permanent_life_insurance

    best life insurance. what is term insurance?
  • Simple Tips For Successful Inheritances & Wealth Transfer

    Simple Tips For Successful Inheritances & Wealth Transfer

    Learn these simple tips for Successful Inheritances. Help your heirs hold on to their inheritances and keep your family intact.

    Giving while living is ideal but that oftentimes is not possible. Wealth transference can be complex and gut wrenching for some. Without careful planning, conditions can end up ripe for wealth destruction. Wealth will transfer, just maybe not where you intended it to go. If you’re not okay with your life’s assets enriching litigation departments of probate law firms you’ve never met, now may be a good time to enhance your current wealth transference plan. Don’t let the assets for your heirs end up being lost to professional fees.

    I see more and more cases where well-meaning inheritances are busting up families and family relationships. The attached article does a great job highlighting a few of the unintended consequences that can affect not only the rich and famous. How much would it disappoint you to learn that your children may never speak to each other again because of their inheritance. It is a reality that is occurring more often every day.

    INHERITANCE Feature-INNM0518

    Or you can click on the link at Insurance News Net to view the article online.

    Please contact me at 561-869-4500 or email me about a complementary consultation about the wealth transfer and inheritance issues that may be concerning you and your spouse.

    You can visit us at www.facebook.com/lifecycleplanners

    ted bernstein boca raton, ted bernstein insurance
  • Permanent Life Insurance, Lower Net Cost Than Term.

    Permanent Life Insurance, Lower Net Cost Than Term.

    Term Insurance or Permanent Insurance?

    Watch out for these term insurance risks .

    Do you want permanent life insurance coverage for your family or business, regardless of how long you live? Then a permanent insurance policy is right for you.

    There are important differences between term life insurance and permanent life insurance such as whole life and universal life. These differences go way beyond price. The proper way to compare life insurance is to compare the net cost of different options. The people pushing term insurance use a marketing gimmick known as “buy term and invest the difference”. The problem is:

    Nobody invests the difference!

    If you want a policy that will protect your family for life, a permanent policy is the only option. If you want a better net cost, again you want to be looking at permanent coverage. The net cost is much lower than term insurance.

    The Risks of Term, Look at the Math: A male 35 will pay $950 annually for $1,000,000 of term (for a female, a little less). The 10-year net cost of this policy is a LOSS OF $9500. Over 30 years, the policy will have a net loss of $28,500. The term policy will lapse at age 65 with no value. If this person is healthy, he has 20 more years to live, using today’s projections. If the person is unhealthy, he will be unable to get life insurance or it will be un-affordable. Millions of people over 60 today cannot afford what is available to them.

    The Advantages of Permanent Life Insurance: On the other hand, the same 35 year old can buy a permanent policy for $9525. Yes, the premium is significantly more than an equivalent term policy and this automatically rules out all the people who currently do not have the cash flow to buy a permanent policy. The $9525 premium is guaranteed to stop at age 65. The 10-year net cost of this policy is projected to be a GAIN OF $2721. The 20-year net cost is a GAIN of $97,816 and the 30 year GAIN is $343,059.

    Over 30 years, the net cost for term is a negative $28,500. The projected gain, using the current dividend scale, is a stunning $343,059. If you would you like to see a simple presentation customized for you, please complete this form and we will be in touch or feel free to call us at 561-771-4647.

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    A permanent policy will remain inforce as long as you need it to without any new medical information. The equity in the policy can be tapped at anytime and today, many permanent policies offer Accelerated Benefits for health emergencies.

    Why doesn’t every life insurance buyer own a permanent policy?

    The number one reason young people select term insurance is affordability. Many young life insurance buyers do not currently have the necessary cash flow to purchase permanent life insurance, and that forces them to purchase term. In too many cases, the term policy that was selected only for its lower cost is not replaced with a better, more appropriate permanent policy, when it is affordable. The right insurance professional should be stressing the importance of replacing the term policy as soon as possible. Term insurance is the right product only if your need for coverage is temporary. Paying premiums into a term policy is throwing away money 97% of the time because 97% of all term policies lapse before paying a claim.

    Most young people underestimate their desire to have life insurance later in life. People over 50 want insurance for life to protect their spouse, children or grandchildren.

    If you have not looked at the net cost advantages of permanent life insurance recently, you might be surprised at its low premiums and low net cost. The entire process, from quotes to underwriting, can be done online and, in many cases, there is no medical exam at all.

    Why Permanent Life Insurance?

    • The net cost of permanent life insurance is superior to term.
    • Does not expire, is there when you need it most, one policy for life.
      • Consult with an experienced insurance professional to get a customized policy.
        • DO YOU WANT YOUR HEIRS TO RECEIVE LIFE INSURANCE PROCEEDS, GUARANTEED FOR LIFE? 
          • Secondary market value. A permanent policy can be sold for cash if you do not need or want the policy after age 70. Typically, you cannot sell a term policy in the secondary market if it can’t be converted.

    The following video speaks to the virtues of permanent life insurance.

    You can visit us at www.facebook.com/lifecycleplanners

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whole_life_insurance l https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_insurance#Permanent_life_insurance

  • Jumbo Life Insurance Policies: Which one is best?

    Jumbo Life Insurance Policies: Which one is best?

    Jumbo life insurance policies typically begin with face amounts of $10,000,000 and are often purchased by high net worth and ultra-high net worth people. Some insurance companies and some life insurance professionals cater to this market which is highly specialized. 

    Jumbo life insurance buyers will work with insurance professionals to secure coverage with the lowest rates and the best underwriting class. There are considerable differences when underwriting policies for $1,000,000 and ones for $15,000,000, $50,000,000 or $100,000,000.

    A key factor in determining the policy’s premium is the underwriting class that is offered. The difference in underwriting classes can be dramatic. Double digit differentials are typical because the cost of insurance is higher as the classes reflect.

    Don’t be fooled by “loss leader” rates that initially look good during the quoting process. The quoting process is not where the battle is won and lost.

    The best preferred rates are offered to people who take no medication, have no medical history and whose families have no medical histories. Underwriting term insurance is very different than underwriting permanent insurance such as whole life, indexed universal life and guaranteed universal life. Most high net worth consumers prefer permanent life insurance because they understand that the net cost of permanent life insurance is much lower than term insurance.

    In fact, getting you the best underwriting class should be the agent’s top priority once underwriting begins. Doing this properly requires experience and expertise from a professional who is willing to push back based on knowledge about illnesses and medications. The right agent will have extensive relationships with underwriters and who can represent all companies. Working with insurance agents who represent only one insurance company, known as a captive agent, is working against the best interest of life insurance buyers.

    There are only a small group of insurance companies specializing in the large case life insurance market. Insurance companies may share underwriting results with one another, which is authorized through the application process. One way is through the MIB (the medical information bureau). The chance of future problems increases if the underwriting process is not being managed properly. The best outcomes occur when insurance professionals represent the best interests of their client by approaching the process with complete transparency and disclosure.

    What you need to know for obtaining the best rates:

    Check your known underwriting history before submitting new applications. I work with my clients to get an accurate picture of their health history and their life insurance history, including previous submissions. With this information, we create a report of how much coverage is currently inforce and how much will be replaced, if any. The total amount of inforce coverage at the end of underwriting is critical information to share with underwriters, at the beginning of the process.

    Chronicle the medical history. This helps us understand both current and past health issues which may impact underwriting decisions. We recently helped a 66 year old woman acquire a jumbo policy for succession planning purposes. She had been on lithium for 15+ years without any problems. Suddenly, she had developed a tolerance to the lithium that created some temporary issues. All her current coverage was issued on a preferred basis. Knowing the history helped the right underwriters understand it was a medication problem and nothing else. Many underwriters declined the case.

    Product Design. The underwriting criteria is different for permanent coverage than it is for term insurance and selecting the right product can be complicated. Commissions, high cash value riders and term blends should all be considered as each of these variables can impact price and net costs. 

    Premium financing and jumbo life insurance: In many cases, it is a perfect combination. Premium financing is often an ideal strategy for purchasing permanent life insurance. Like now, loan rates are significantly lower than a policy’s rate of return and a policyholder’s ROI. An in depth analysis must be done by the life insurance professional to outline the pros and cons of Premium Financing:

    Cover letters go a long way in helping underwriters understand what a prospective client is trying to accomplish with life insurance. Often, these jumbo life policies involve complex estate planning strategies. A cover letter is always beneficial. 

    Please contact me at 561-771-4647 or email me. I offer a complimentary consultation to discuss anything you wish about life insurance or annuities. I am proud of the things many clients have chosen to say about us and perhaps they will give you additional insight about how we do business.

    You can visit us at www.facebook.com/lifecycleplanners

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whole_life_insurance  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_insurance#Permanent_life_insurance