When you delve into the realm of insurance, you’ll encounter participating (par) policies that extend a mix of assured benefits and potential bonuses. On the flip side, non-participating (non-par) policies are characterized by their provision of steadfast, guaranteed benefits. Understanding the mechanics of each policy type is crucial.

Essential Insights:

• Opting for a par policy means you’re entitled to a slice of the company’s profits through bonuses or cash dividends, enhancing the policy’s value.
• It’s important to note that these financial perks are subject to declaration; hence, they are not guaranteed from the outset.

Differences Between Participating and Non-Participating Policies

 A participating policy, commonly known as a par policy, is an insurance plan that entitles policyholders to a share of the insurance company’s profit from its par fund. This comes in addition to any guaranteed benefits that the policyholder is entitled to receive. The assured sum is a secure benefit, disbursed upon the policy’s maturity, the insured’s death, or in the event of total and permanent disability, should the policy include such coverage.

The additional, non-guaranteed perks of a par policy typically take the form of bonuses and cash dividends, which are contingent upon the par fund’s investment performance, the volume of claims filed against the fund, and the fund’s incurred expenses. These variables influence the size and frequency of the non-guaranteed benefits that the policyholder may receive.

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A non-participating policy, often referred to as a non-par policy, does not grant the policyholder a share in the insurance company’s profits. The core advantage of such policies is the certainty of the sum assured, which is a guaranteed payout upon the policy’s maturity or the policyholder’s death, as stipulated in the policy’s terms. These policies do not typically provide discretionary benefits beyond the agreed-upon sum.

In the case of participating policies, your premiums are amalgamated with those of other policyholders and collectively invested by the insurance company. The par fund, which holds these combined premiums, is actively managed and diversified across various asset classes such as government and corporate bonds, equities, real estate, and cash reserves. The insurer is responsible for adjusting the investment mix of the fund over time to optimize returns while managing risk.

Quick Insight:
For a clearer understanding of a par fund’s approach, check out its investment strategy provided in the product summary. This summary will give you a snapshot of the fund’s general investment mix and allocation patterns. It’s a valuable resource to gauge the potential risks and returns associated with the policy.

Risks Associated with Participating (Par) Policies

Participating policyholders are financially tied to the performance of the par fund and share in its risks, which can impact their returns:

Type of Risk	Implications for the Policyholder
Investment Risks	If the par fund’s investments underperform, the returns will be lower than expected, affecting the fund’s performance and, subsequently, the policyholder’s potential bonuses.
Insurance Risks	Should the fund experience more claims than anticipated, such as from deaths or disabilities, the additional outflow could impact the fund’s capacity to pay out bonuses.
Expense Risks	Costs exceeding expectations in managing the par fund can diminish the surplus, which may reduce the bonuses or dividends available for policyholders.

Each type of risk can directly affect the financial health of the par fund, which in turn influences the bonuses or cash dividends that are declared and paid to the policyholder.

Types of Non-Guaranteed Bonuses for Participating Policies

Type of Bonus	Description and Payment Conditions
Reversionary Bonuses	Regularly declared (often annually) and once announced, they become part of the policy’s guaranteed benefits, adding to the sum assured. Typically, they’re fully payable upon a claim or at policy maturity. If the policy is surrendered prematurely, only a portion of these bonuses is paid out.
Cash Dividends	Offered in some par policies as non-guaranteed benefits, these do not increase the sum assured. Declared as cash, they can be used to increase the sum assured indirectly (paid-up additions), reduce future premiums, or be reinvested with the insurer.
Terminal Bonuses	May be given upon policy surrender, claim, or maturity, and are awarded in addition to any reversionary bonuses.

Declaration of Bonuses

• Non-guaranteed bonuses are generally evaluated and declared on an annual basis, often enhancing the sum assured.
• Policyholders are informed when bonuses are declared, and if there are changes to bonus rates, insurers will update the policyholders on the potential revised benefits.
• In times of poor fund performance with a continuing negative outlook, insurers may reduce future non-guaranteed bonuses.

Important Reminder

The projected bonuses and cash dividends can differ significantly between policies. It is advisable to thoroughly read and compare product summaries when considering different policies.Determining Bonuses for Participating Policies

The allocation of bonuses for participating policies is influenced by:

• Performance: This encompasses how well the par fund’s investments perform and the expected financial climate ahead.
• Expenses: The disbursement for claims and the myriad expenses the fund incurs, including costs related to investment, management, distribution, taxes, and other operational outlays.
• Smoothing Policy: Insurers aim to stabilize non-guaranteed bonuses year over year, which may involve reserving some bonuses during profitable years to ensure there’s a buffer during leaner times. This approach means bonus amounts don’t always match the immediate volatility of the markets.

In the bonus determination process, insurers are bound by fairness, ensuring all participating policyholders receive equitable treatment and that the par fund maintains sufficient reserves to support declared bonuses without jeopardizing its or the company’s financial stability.

The insurer’s leadership, based on an actuary’s counsel, must sanction all bonuses. Once sanctioned, the non-guaranteed reversionary bonuses for that year become fixed.

Tip: After the declaration, reversionary bonuses are irreversible and cannot be diminished or withdrawn by the insurer in the event of a claim.

Terminal Bonuses

These differ from reversionary bonuses in that they are computed only at the time of policy maturity, a claim, or surrender. If the par fund’s performance is subpar at these junctures, terminal bonuses awarded might be minimal or nonexistent.

Protections for Participating Policyholders

Insurance companies are obligated to institute several measures to safeguard the interests of participating policyholders:

• Profit Distribution Limits: There’s a cap on the profits that shareholders can receive, restricted to one-ninth of the bonuses allocated to par policyholders. In essence, for every nine dollars par policyholders receive, only one dollar can go to the company’s shareholders.
• Asset Shortfall Coverage: Should there be a deficiency in the assets necessary to cover guaranteed benefits, the company’s shareholders are required to compensate for the gap. Therefore, even in the event of underperformance by the par fund, the insurer is still responsible for delivering on the promised guaranteed benefits.
• Board Oversight: Companies offering par policies must have a well-defined internal policy detailing the management of the par fund, including the bonus determination and distribution methodologies. This policy must not only receive board approval but should also be subject to periodic review to ensure strict compliance by the insurer.

Monitoring Your Participating Policy’s Progress

Upon purchasing a participating policy, you’ll be kept in the loop with an Annual Bonus Update. This document outlines:

• Par Fund Performance: An overview of the fund’s performance and expectations for the future.
• Declared Bonuses: Any bonuses added to your policy for the year.

Should there be any changes in the bonus amounts, you’ll receive a revised forecast showing:

• Endowment Policies: The projected total value at maturity.
• Whole Life Policies: The updated total surrender value.

You have the right to request a current policy illustration that predicts future non-guaranteed benefits, reflecting the insurer’s latest projections for the par fund.

Surrendering Your Policy

Life insurance is meant for the long haul, and stepping away early often comes with steep financial implications. The surrender value—which could be less than the sum of premiums paid—reflects this cost.

In the initial years, typically the first three, there’s little to no cash value as upfront expenses, like commissions and financial advisor fees, are recovered.

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For Participating Policies

Cash value for these policies usually accumulates after a set period. This value, which you receive upon surrendering the policy, will include a share of the declared bonuses and dividends. Bear in mind, the surrender value may vary based on the par fund’s performance at the time of surrender and will be reduced by any relevant charges and debts to the insurer.

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For Non-Participating Policies

Some non-par policies might not offer any cash value upon surrender. If they do, it’s essential to understand how much you’ll get, as it could be lower than the total premiums paid. If there’s no cash value, you might only get back a portion of the unused premiums.

Staying informed through Annual Bonus Updates allows you to witness your policy’s growth and adjust your financial strategy accordingly. While early surrender can come with costs, understanding the potential and the process ensures that you’re making the best choices for your long-term financial health. With patience and informed choices, your policy can be a substantial pillar in your financial portfolio, offering peace of mind and stability for the future.

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Embark on your journey to financial security today. Connect with our expert financial advisors who are ready to assist you in maximizing your investments and safeguarding your future. Whether you’re evaluating policy performance or considering surrendering a policy, our advisors will provide personalized guidance to align with your financial vision.

Contact us now for a comprehensive financial plan tailored just for you.