Viatical Settlement

A viatical settlement is a financial arrangement in which a terminally or chronically ill life insurance policy owner sells their life insurance policy to a third party — generally for less than face value — in order to benefit from the proceeds while they are alive.

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    Lindsey Crossmier

    Lindsey Crossmier

    Financial Writer

    Lindsey Crossmier is an accomplished writer with experience working for The Florida Review and Bookstar PR. As a financial writer, she covers Medicare, life insurance and dental insurance topics for RetireGuide. Research-based data drives her work.

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    Savannah Pittle
    Savannah Pittle, senior financial editor for RetireGuide

    Savannah Pittle

    Senior Financial Editor

    Savannah Pittle is a professional writer and content editor with over 16 years of professional experience across multiple industries. She has ghostwritten for entrepreneurs and industry leaders and been published in mediums such as The Huffington Post, Southern Living and Interior Appeal Magazine.

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    Ebony J. Howard, CPA
    Ebony J. Howard, CPA

    Ebony J. Howard, CPA

    Credentialed Tax Expert at Intuit

    Ebony J. Howard is a certified public accountant and freelance consultant with a background in accounting, personal finance, and income tax planning and preparation.  She specializes in analyzing financial information in the health care, banking and real estate sectors.

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  • Published: November 18, 2022
  • Updated: June 23, 2023
  • 6 min read time
  • This page features 4 Cited Research Articles
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APA Crossmier, L. (2023, June 23). Viatical Settlement. RetireGuide.com. Retrieved October 7, 2024, from https://www.retireguide.com/life-insurance/viatical-settlement/

MLA Crossmier, Lindsey. "Viatical Settlement." RetireGuide.com, 23 Jun 2023, https://www.retireguide.com/life-insurance/viatical-settlement/.

Chicago Crossmier, Lindsey. "Viatical Settlement." RetireGuide.com. Last modified June 23, 2023. https://www.retireguide.com/life-insurance/viatical-settlement/.

What Is a Viatical Settlement?

Although life insurance is designed to protect your dependents and loved ones from financial devastation in the event of your death, certain circumstances warrant the need for access to the policy’s value before the owner dies.

A viatical settlement is a legal, financial agreement that allows a terminally or chronically ill policyholder to sell their life insurance policy to a third-party buyer and gain access to the policy’s funds while they are still alive.

The viatical settlement buyer becomes the policy’s new owner, paying any required premiums and receiving the full policy benefit when the original insured ultimately dies.

The History of Viatical Settlements

A 1911 ruling set by the U.S. Supreme Court first made viatical settlements possible. But the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s galvanized the practice when many life insurance policyholders needed money for medical treatment while still alive.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) first adopted the Living Benefits Model Act in 1993 and has modified the Act extensively since.

How Do Viatical Settlements Work?

The original policyholder, called the viator, sells their life insurance policy to a third party for less than the market value of the policy but more than the policy’s cash surrender value.

The viator will typically receive 50-70% of the policy’s face value as a lump-sum payment, usually within weeks. When the insured dies, the death benefit goes to the third-party buyer instead of to the viator’s original beneficiaries.

Viatical settlements, like other insurance products, are regulated at the state level. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) provides model regulations designed to inform state laws. According to the Life Insurance Settlement Association (LISA), 43 states and Puerto Rico have their own protective regulations in place.

Who Is Eligible for a Viatical Settlement?

State regulations define different requirements for eligibility. In most states, the viator must have a current life insurance policy with a face value of $100,000 or higher and have held it for a minimum of two years. Some states require the policy to be held for at least five years, so be sure to check your state’s individual life insurance regulations.

In addition, the viator must be terminally or chronically ill.

Terminally Ill vs. Chronically Ill Settlements

For the purposes of a viatical settlement, terminally ill means the viator has a life expectancy of 24 months or less as certified by a physician.

Chronically ill generally means the viator cannot perform the day-to-day tasks of life without help. Some states include those with cognitive impairments requiring supervision as chronically ill.

Because each state has its own rules and guidelines surrounding the definitions of these terms, individual research on a state-by-state basis is important when evaluating viatical settlement eligibility.

Who Is the Buyer in a Viatical Settlement?

The buyer in a viatical settlement generally falls into one of three categories: viatical settlement companies, who specialize in viatical purchases; viatical settlement brokers, who work in conjunction with buyers and sellers to draw contracts; or private investment companies or individuals. Each of these parties will have different policy minimums and different investment horizons.

What Determines Your Settlement Payout?

Settlement payouts generally fall between 50-70% of the policy’s face value, but the type and face value of the viator’s life insurance policy will significantly influence the payout they receive. Each third-party buyer has its own payout procedures and requirements for eligibility.

Most permanent or whole life insurance policies are eligible for viatical payouts. Some term life policies might also qualify, though potentially at a lower rate.

The buying company also considers the viator’s age, diagnosis and prognosis when determining a payout.

Pros and Cons of Viatical Settlements

Deciding to sell your life insurance policy is a serious decision with both financial and emotional implications. Considering the advantages and disadvantages in terms of your circumstances and the weight of your financial needs is important.

Pros and Cons of Viatical Settlements
Pros
  • The viator gains immediate access to capital they can use for any reason. Common uses include treatment or medication, family care, housing costs and travel expenses. There are no conditions for the use of viatical settlement funds.
  • Because the third-party buyer pays future premiums, ‌the insured reduces their regular expenses.
  • Because they are considered an advance of the life insurance benefit, viatical settlement payouts are tax free in most cases.
Cons
  • The viator receives only a percentage of the policy’s face value.
  • The policy’s original beneficiaries will receive no death benefit.
  • Creditors can make claims against a lump-sum viatical settlement payout.
  • A viatical settlement payout might make the viator ineligible for public assistance programs they would otherwise qualify for.

Viatical Settlements vs. Life Settlements

To be considered a viatical settlement, the policy seller can be any age but must be terminally ill, with a life expectancy of less than two years, or chronically ill, meaning they are unable to perform basic day-to-day activities without help. A viator can sell a term, whole life, universal, joint or group policy.

When a healthy senior wants to sell their life insurance policy, on the other hand, the agreement is called a life settlement. Life settlements are typically an option for those over 65.

Viatical Settlement vs. Life Settlement

When Should You Consider a Viatical Settlement?

Individuals may consider a viatical settlement to obtain the funds needed for experimental treatments, to cover medication costs or to finance end-of-life care. Some viators might need to make structural accommodations to make their living space more accessible. Others might want to share money or experiences with family and friends while they can enjoy them. No matter the reason, the option exists to provide access to funds for the chronically and terminally ill.

Although it’s a highly personal choice, choosing a viatical settlement should follow consultation with your life insurer, estate lawyer or another trusted financial advisor. It is also wise to discuss the idea with family and with the original beneficiaries who may be affected.

The NAIC provides a pamphlet to address the initial questions and concerns you may have.

Alternatives to Viatical Settlements

A viatical settlement is not the right choice for every individual in every instance. But if it can make a viator’s last days more comfortable and worry-free, it may be an appropriate option.

Here are some alternatives if a viatical settlement isn’t an option for you:
Accelerated Death Benefits
Adding an accelerated death benefit (ADB) rider allows a life insurance policyholder to access a portion of the policy’s death benefit should they be diagnosed with a serious or terminal illness.
Cash Value Life Insurance
If a lump sum is needed, the policyholder may be able to withdraw a portion of the cash value of the policy.
Policy Loans
Alternatively, the policyholder can take out a loan from their insurance company using the cash value of their policy as collateral.
Last Modified: June 23, 2023

4 Cited Research Articles

  1. National Association of Insurance Commissioners. (2022). State Insurance Departments. Retrieved from https://content.naic.org/state-insurance-departments
  2. Life Insurance Settlement Association. (2021, June 9). Life Settlement Regulation – Map of Regulatory Law. Retrieved from https://www.lisa.org/regulations_overview
  3. National Association of Insurance Commissioners. (n.d.). Viatical Settlements Model Regulation. Retrieved from https://content.naic.org/sites/default/files/inline-files/MDL-698.pdf
  4. National Association of Insurance Commissioners. (n.d.). Selling Your Life Insurance Policy. Retrieved from https://content.naic.org/sites/default/files/publications-consumer-life-settlement.pdf