More than a Safety Net: The Financial Advantages of a Life Insurance Policy

FMT provides comprehensive home and property insurance to homeowners throughout Tennessee. While discussing your insurance needs, ask your independent agent about life insurance.

If you believe that life insurance is nothing more than a necessary evil, an unwanted expense with negative connotations, then it’s time to have a nice long talk with your insurance agent. A life insurance policy is a safety net, an investment in your family’s financial well-being, but it’s much more than that. It’s also a financial asset, a source of revenue and retirement income and a means of protecting your wealth that goes well beyond protection. A life insurance policy can also be a hedge against potentially crippling medical and care expenses, so it’s wise to be insured… for lots of good reasons.

A Tax-Free Investment

When it comes to life insurance, the Income Tax Act is your friend. That’s because it allows premiums paid into whole and universal life insurance, both of which are considered exempt, to accumulate as tax-sheltered cash or savings. This can be a nice investment option if you’re looking for new ways to protect your income from taxation. Additionally, your policy benefits and accumulated savings can be paid out to beneficiaries or your estate tax-free.

Sell It

Many people are unaware that they have the option to sell a life insurance policy once they reach the age of 65. This is an important point to consider because your health insurance may not cover the cost of healthcare and long-term care. Selling a policy can also free up badly needed revenue for retirement living expenses. It may be wise to consider a long-term care policy as well to make sure to fill the coverage gaps since you’ll likely face out-of-pocket expenses. Just bear in mind you’re apt to pay less for a long-term care policy if you buy in your mid-50s to early 60s.

Wealth Protection

A life insurance policy can also help preserve wealth if your beneficiaries are unable to cover your debt obligations after your death. In such a situation, survivors often have no recourse but to sell property or business assets to pay leftover debt and, in extreme situations, they may be forced to do so at a discounted rate. The insurance benefits that go directly to your survivors can be used for liquidity to prevent the loss of such assets. This is especially important considering that when you die, the capital gains accumulated on unsheltered assets automatically kick in, which means your family could end up holding the bag for an estate tax bill owed to Uncle Sam.

A Source of Income

An insurance policy with cash value can be used as an income supplement or to provide liquidity in the face of unexpected expenses. This can be done in several ways. One way is to use a policy as collateral for a loan from your bank or other financial organization. The nice thing about this options is that the money is tax-free, though you remain responsible for the loan payments as you would in any other financial borrowing situation. You can also borrow directly from your insurance company via your policy. The funds you borrow are tax-free as long as the amount you borrow does not exceed the amount computed by adding all your premiums and subtracted the net cost of the policy. Essentially, this amounts to borrowing against your death benefit. Or, you could simply make a cash withdrawal from your policy, though the amount you withdraw will likely be subtracted from your death benefit.

If you’re unaware of the many financial and tax advantages of a life insurance policy, consult with an agent or financial planner to strategize how you can best make use of such an asset. It gives you a degree of flexibility and tax-exempt protection that can often be difficult to find.

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How Baby Boomers Can Save for the Future While Enjoying Life Today

Hard times are unavoidable in this life. As the old saying goes, we all face our share of troubles, such as death, dying, and taxes. As unfortunate as that knowledge might be, the good news is that our fear of the inevitable doesn’t have to spell an end of the ability to enjoy ourselves.

Baby Boomers are so focused on being frugal that they are forgetting to enjoy their Golden Years. The recession made a dent in the financial wealth of many Boomers, creating higher mortgage debts than previous generations have had to deal with. This has led to many retirees having to cancel their plans to move to the beach and simply stay put in their family home instead. Meanwhile, many people are postponing retirement altogether and continuing to work.

Sure, there is certainly something to be said for living frugally. However, despite reports that frugality can contribute to happiness and optimism among aging generations, these difficult financial decisions can also cause one’s golden years to feel a little less bright. Therefore, it’s important to find a balance between preparing for the worst and living a full and enjoyable life. Some people spend so much time saving for a rainy day that they begin to feel unfulfilled, like life is slipping by without them being able to truly enjoy it.

Tips for Living Your Best Life at Any Age

 If any of this sounds familiar, here are some of some tips on how to be frugal while still enjoying yourself and living your best life at any age.

Rethink the Vacation

Remember in the good old days when going for a joyride was a great way to spend an afternoon? That day can be today, too. Who said a weekend trip had to involve a flight or an RV? Who said a vacation had to include a cruise to an exotic destination? Think outside the box for some affordable joy and nostalgia. You might reinvent one of your favorite trips from your youth. Or, you could consider taking a car tripinstead of a cruise. If you have a credit card, see if your purchases help you earn travel points toward free trips. There are many ways to save money while still making time for travel and vacations.

Invest in Your Health

As we age, one of the main concerns is our health. Many seniors are worried about their health, and it’s no wonder why. Recent research has estimated that one in three American seniors will experience a disability that requires long-term care. The uncertain future of health insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid are only adding to the stress, with a majority of seniors saying they are “nervous about the future of their health care.”

If you’re one of the many seniors who don’t have health insurance coverage, the statistics surrounding senior health can sound grim at best. Of course, it’s completely understandable that you would think ahead about your long-term healthand how to save up for any unexpected emergencies or medical bills. In addition to insurance coverage, there are also some options that you might consider for funding your own private, long-term health care as you age.

For instance, a Medicaid life settlement might work as a viable option. In fact, many states have recently passed laws protecting seniors. Under the new laws, seniors who are eligible for Medicaid no longer must surrender or lapse their policies in order to enter a Medicaid life settlement, making it a feasible way to finance medical care later in life.

Enjoy Your Golden Years

As you can see, there are many ways to save money during retirement while also enjoying the most wonderful years of your life. What are you waiting for? It’s time to live it up. By mindfully watching your spending habits while also incorporating some of the expert tips listed above, you can make the most of your golden years while still saving money for a rainy day.

Jim McKinley is a retired banker with a passion for helping others make the most of their hard-earned money. It is this passion that inspired him to start Money With Jim| Moneywithjim.org | [email protected]