In Asia, the subject of mortality is rarely broached as many deem it taboo, with conversations around the topic labelled as a “bringer of bad luck”. However, is it important to start the wealth and succession planning process early, especially in the case of Ultra High Net Worth Individuals (UHNWI) who have significantly demanding family and business needs, to ensure that surviving loved ones will be well looked after.
An increasing number of UNHWIs consider life insurance to be an integral component of succession planning as they recognise the risk of unexpected emergencies or adverse events occurring. What exactly does life insurance entail and how does it work?
What is Life Insurance?
To understand life insurance in the context of UHNW families, it is helpful to think of it as planting a tree today for the loved ones and families’ tomorrow. This tree needs to be regularly watered (insurance premiums) and will bear fruit (insurance payouts) to support loved ones in the event of a family member passing on.
In practice, life insurance is a contract between the insurer and the policyholder in which the insurer guarantees to pay a sum of money to one or more named beneficiaries when the policyholder passes, in exchange for premiums they pay during their lifetime.
Why Life Insurance?
A key reason behind the case for life insurance is that it is the only asset class that provides a payout upon the policyholder’s passing, providing them the peace of mind that the next generation will be taken care of.
These payouts could be used for a variety of purposes, including:
- Funding education needs of the next generation such as tertiary education abroad
- A source of retirement income for a spouse or loved ones
- Providing surviving loved ones a way to bring their lifestyle forward
- Servicing existing obligations such as debt, unpaid medical bills, etc.
- Addressing tax planning needs such as inheritance tax
- Providing liquidity for the family business during times of transition
Alternatively, life insurance benefits can be paid into a trust, which serves as an effective, efficient, and confidential method to distribute their assets to named beneficiaries. A trust also serves as a wealth protection tool, as assets are ringfenced from creditors, lawsuits and mismanagement. The assets are also only distributed according to specific terms outlined in the trust document by the wealth owner, thereby maintaining control over how and when funds are disbursed.
Aside from policy benefits and payouts, another upside of life insurance policies is its complementary role in an investment and risk management strategy. Unlike other market-driven investment products, insurance is a generally non-cyclical asset. A traditional investment portfolio consisting of only equities is subject to both specific and systematic risks. When traditional whole life insurance is added to a portfolio, systematic risk is reduced as the policy’s cash value is not tied to market performance. Instead, its value grows at its own, separate rate. While the cash returns may not offer the most exciting return in a bull market, they can prove to be a prudent investment decision during market downturns.
Lastly, because death benefits of life insurance policies are paid in cash, they provide a guaranteed source of liquid income that can be paid out either in a lump sum or through regular payout intervals to dependents.
Types of Life Insurance for UHNWIs
As the needs of each UHNWI are unique, these must be carefully assessed to determine the appropriate type of insurance coverage for the individual. Below is a summary of the main types of insurance purchased by UHNWIs:
- Whole-of-Life Insurance
Provides guaranteed coverage for the entirety of the insured’s life. This insurance type also has a cash accumulation component – also known as Whole-of-Life Savings – that focuses on helping the insured save money for the future along with providing lifelong coverage.
- Term Life Insurance
Although similar to Whole-of-Life Insurance with respect to coverage and cash accumulation, Term Life Insurance offers these for a specific number of years (i.e. the term length), with the most common term lengths ranging from 10 and 30 years.
- Universal Life Insurance (ULI)
Universal Life Insurance provides savings and protection benefits throughout the insured’s life so long as premiums are paid and the accumulated cash value in the policy exceeds the maintenance cost of the policy. Other variations in the market include Traditional Indexed Life, Indexed Universal Life and Variable Universal Life.
- Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI)
PPLI is a highly customised life insurance for UHNWI that combines the benefits of traditional life insurance e.g., death benefits, and with a high degree of investment flexibility allowing policyholders to invest in (allocate premiums) to a range of assets including alternative investments such as hedge funds, private equity and real estate. It is typically used for specialised wealth structuring and estate planning that enhances returns while maintaining confidentiality.
Protecting Loved Ones in the Face of Adversities
Life insurance is an integral aspect in wealth planning for UHNWIs. To reap optimal benefits of the tool, it is imperative to start the conversation around wealth planning and life insurance early to ensure that loved ones are sufficiently protected in unpredictable situations.
At Golden Equator Wealth, we work with experienced UHNW insurance and trust providers to tailor holistic wealth preservation solutions that complement your existing investment and legacy planning strategy.
For an in-depth discussion and assessment regarding your unique life insurance needs, contact us for a non-obligatory consultation with our Family Office Advisors at [email protected].
Sources:
https://pdf.hubbis.com/pdf/guide-to-hnw-life-insurance-2024.pdf
https://www.theasset.com/article/41826/even-the-ultra-rich-need-life-insurance
