The Benefits of Donating a Life Insurance Policy to Charity

Life insurance policies cannot only be left to an individual beneficiary, but can be donated to charity. Along with the satisfaction of knowing that you are leaving money to a worthy cause, donating your policy will also have certain tax benefits.

Donating your life insurance policy can be accomplished in 2 ways. The donor will either gift ownership of an existing policy to a charity, or the charity will take out a policy on the donor’s life. In both scenarios the charity is the owner of the policy.

If an existing policy is donated, the cash surrender value of the policy minus any policy loans outstanding plus any accumulated dividends or interest is treated as the fair market value of that policy.  This is the amount for which a tax receipt can be issued.  Payment of the premiums due on the policy by the donor, which is owned by the charity are considered charitable donations.  The charity can issue an annual tax receipt for these payments, whether they are paid by the donor directly or paid to the charity with instructions that the money is used to pay the premiums.

Where the premiums are paid by the charity, or by a donor on behalf of the charity, these payments are not considered to be a charitable expense and do not count towards meeting its disbursement quota.  Investment income is not counted as part of income for disbursement quota purposes and therefore becomes very valuable to the charity.

If a donor takes out a policy and names his/her estate as beneficiary the donor can then direct the death benefits to go to one or more charities of his/her choice.  While there is no tax relief for the payment of premiums, the individual will be eligible for a charitable donation tax credit on the proceeds distributed to the charity on their terminal return.  If a donor takes out a policy and names the charity as the beneficiary, the donor does not qualify for a charitable donation tax credit for premiums paid.  The individual may, however, claim a charitable donation tax credit on their terminal return for the death benefit paid to the charity.

Finally, use permanent life insurance, and not term life. Term life is temporary insurance, and as such is not well suited for charitable gifting.
 

No, You're Not Too Young

Life insurance is not a topic that people want to think about. Everyone would ideally like to put off this issue for "another year", "when I’m older and need it", or "when I get around to it."

However, purthe ideal time to purchase coverage is when you are young and healthy. Rates will be higher if you purchase your policy after health issues arise.  Policy rates tend to get more expensive with age, so purchasing life coverage at a younger age can be financially beneficial. Remember, you can't buy life insurance with money only, you buy it with your health!

Life insurance is an essential consideration when purchasing a home or borrowing money for business ventures. 

By purchasing your coverage at a younger age, you also have the benefit of choosing benefits that are best suited to you. Different types of insurance offer differing advantages and disadvantages. Take your time evaluating your needs, and projected needs for your future and then select the option that fits your life.

Whole life insurance policies are a viable option for people who are young and in good health. With a whole life policy the premiums are stretched out over a long period of time, minimizing the increasing cost. These premiums can either be spread out over your lifetime, or until a set-upon certain age. The earnings from a whole life insurance policy are tax-deferred, and the death benefit never decreases. These policies  have a cash value and can be used for wealth management and estate planning.

Universal life policies provide the purchaser with the option of being able to reduce or increase the death benefit amount. A great advantage to this type of policy is that the cash value tends to increase in a non-linear fashion, depending on how the purchaser invests his/her money.

Term life insurance is a temporary form of insurance, which covers the purchaser for a limited time span, usually 10 or 20 years, and may be renewable up until a certain age.

Term life insurance can be an attractive option when the insurer wants coverage for a specific debt for a specific time frame (i.e. mortgage). Although there is no cash value, the premiums are lower than for whole life insurance. Some policies allow for the option of converting a term life policy into a whole life policy. Premiums for term life policies will increase at 5, 10, or 20 year intervals with the age of the insured person. 

Just remember that the earlier life insurance is purchased, the more options are available to the consumer. Life insurance does not only provide death benefits, but also help you arrange for your long term financial needs and goals.
     

New Smoke-Free Ontario Act

The Smoke-Free Ontario Act came into effect on May 31, 2006. The new law now bans smoking in all enclosed public places and work places, including Designated Smoking Rooms.  Tobacco use is the province's number one preventable cause of death and/or disease. The Ministry of Health estimates that roughly 16,000 Ontarians die each year from tobacco related causes.

The new legislation is designed not only to protect non-smokers from second hand smoke, but to encourage current tobacco users to finally kick the habit. By limiting where smoking is permitted, the government hopes that current smokers will finally get the message that it's time for the province to quit smoking.

For those who are trying to quit, here a few tips to consider:

• Set a quit date.
• Change your environment where you may be triggered to light up.
• Ask family and friends for support and encouragement.
• Drink a lot of water and other fluids to help flush toxins.
• Talk to your family doctor about effective smoking cessation medications and products.
• Remember that withdrawal symptoms are temporary, don't give up!

For more help in kicking the habit, these resources have been made available:

• 1-800-QUIT-NOW
• 1-888-513-5333
• http://www.smokershelpline.ca

Along with the health benefits of becoming a non-smoker, quitting can also affect your life insurance premiums (especially term life). Depending on the carrier, upon 12 months of quitting smoking, you can apply for an amendment that will give you preferred non-smoking rates. Not only will you save your health by quitting smoking, you'll also save money!

For those people who aren't ready yet to quit smoking, HealthQuotes.ca offers guaranteed issue health insurance. Guaranteed issue health insurance does not require that a medical questionnaire be filled out, since acceptance is not dependent on your current state of health. The following individual health insurance plans are guaranteed issue:

• FlexCare ComboPlus Starter Plan.
• FlexCare DentalPlus Basic and Enhanced Plans.
• Basic Blue Choice (for Ontario residents only).
• FollowMe (employee benefits conversion insurance).

It is a good idea to evaluate your life insurange coverage once a year.

Changes in your lifestyle, family, and income can affect the coverage you need.

Once a year, re-read your policy to determine whether your current coverage is adequate to meet all your needs. You should consult your insurance agent if any of the following have occurred or will be occurring:

1. Change in marital status.
2. The birth or expected birth of a child.
3. Significant increase or decrease in income.
4. Employment status.
5. If you plan on becoming self-employed.
6. Any move outside your current province or country.

Please call our toll free number 1-866-369-4474 to discuss your insurance needs with one of our qualified representatives.

This article specifically discusses wealth management from the perspective of cottage owners, especially those who want to keep a cottage in the family.

When you pass away assets transferred to your children can result in a capital gains tax, which has to be paid before your children can get the inherited property.

In particular there is a major difference between a cottage and a principal residence, in that the principal residence can be sold tax-free, while the transfer of a family cottage is not tax exempt. Also, if the estate owes money (e.g. tax) then the cottage may need to be sold to pay the money owing.

You should strongly consider selling the cottage to your children while you have the chance. This sets a limit on the tax liability, and the cottage does not have to be sold upon your passing (if the estate owes money). In addition this will avoid probate fees.

NOTE: do not attempt to decrease the capital gain by selling the cottage for a very cheap price. The CCRA calculates the capital gain based on a fair market value.

Consider spreading out the payments for at least 5 years if you take the mortgage back from your kids. Also, you can make the mortgage interest-free, and forgive the left-over balance in your will so that when you pass away your children will own the cottage without owing any debt.

Another thing to consider is using permanent life insurance to help manage your wealth and estate (obviously this would include any cottages). Creditor protection and tax benefits are just a couple of advantages to permanent life insurance!