Accessing Cash Values from Permanent Life Insurance Policies

KNOWLEDGE EXPECTED OF: CFP® Professionals

Highest Knowledge Level: Understanding


Knowledge Levels and Associated Verbs


Awareness
The state of being aware that something exists / to have familiarity with a particular activity or subject
Understanding
To comprehend the general relationship of particulars / to have an expertise with how something works
Application
Ability to put information to use / to use knowledge for relevant, practical purposes
Evaluation
To judge or conclude by utilizing data / a systematic determination of something’s worth or significance
Define
To state exactly the meaning of
Identify
To be aware of / to recognize and correctly name / to locate an appropriate resource
Explain
To make clear the meaning of / to describe something in more detail or reveal relevant facts or ideas related to it
Determine
To ascertain / to come to a decision, such as by investigation or reasoning
Compare
To note the similarities and differences between two or more things
Estimate
To determine an approximate value for
Calculate
To find the value using mathematics
Convert
To change from one form or purpose to another
Evaluate
To reach a conclusion or make a through careful study
Interpret
To give the meaning of / to construe or understand / to translate orally

Hold cursor over or click on each term to read its definition.


Additional Knowledge Expected of CFP Professionals
  • Identify methods whereby cash values may be accessed from a permanent insurance policy, such as:
    • Policy loan
    • Partial or full surrender of policy
    • Assignment for collateral 
  • Explain for whom accessing cash values from a permanent insurance policy may be beneficial.  
  • Explain advantages and disadvantages of using an insurance policy loan.  
  • Identify types of insurance policies that may be used to obtain a policy loan, such as:
    • Whole life
    • Universal life
    • Impaired term life 
  • Explain factors to consider when using a policy loan to access cash values from a life insurance policy, such as: 
    • Impact on death benefit upon death of the insured
    • Impact on cash surrender value if policy surrendered
    • Impact on use of non-forfeiture options
    • Interest obligations
    • Payment options
    • Payment requirements
    • Cost of borrowing
    • Tax deductibility of interest 
  • Explain advantages and disadvantages of assigning the cash surrender value of a life insurance policy as collateral for a loan. 
  • Explain advantages and disadvantages of partially or fully surrendering an insurance policy to access the cash surrender value of the policy. 
  • Identify types of insurance policies for which the cash surrender value may be assigned as collateral for a loan, such as:
    • Term1
    • Whole life
    • Universal life 
  • Explain factors to consider when assigning the cash surrender value of a life insurance policy as collateral for a loan. 
    • Impact on death benefit upon death of the insured
    • Impact on cash surrender value if policy surrendered
    • Impact on use of non-forfeiture options
    • Interest obligations
    • Payment options
    • Payment requirements
    • Cost of borrowing
    • Tax deductibility of interest 
  • Explain potential outcomes if the loan balance exceeds the maximum allowable percentage of the cash surrender value that may be borrowed against.
    • Policyholder is required to provide additional security to third party financial institution
    • Policyholder surrenders policy to cover loan amount
    • Policyholder faces tax implication on mortality gain of policy if surrendered 
  • Explain the possible ways that the loan balance may exceed the maximum allowable percentage of the cash surrender value that may be borrowed against. 
  • Identify that a tax liability may exist when accessing cash values from a permanent life insurance policy.

REFERENCES


1 While very rare, term policies that have cash surrender value may be assigned as collateral to a loan.