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Tim Fuller, President of SRS Inc.

Tim Fuller

President, SRS Inc.

Tim Fuller is President of SRS Inc., a full-service IMO (Independent Marketing Organization) and BGA (Brokerage General Agency) that has connected independent financial professionals with life, annuity, disability income, and long-term care solutions from 60+ carrier partners for more than 50 years. Tim and the SRS team specialize in impaired-risk underwriting, advanced case design, and helping advisors place the cases other IMOs turn away.

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Group LTD Offsets: How Social Security Can Reduce Employer Disability Benefits

Professional working confidently at her desk, representing disability income protection

Employees often assume their group disability benefit and any Social Security disability benefit will add together. In most group plans, they don’t. The group plan pays less when Social Security pays anything.

Key takeaways

  • Most group LTD plans include offsets: benefits are reduced by Social Security disability and other income sources.
  • Group benefits are usually taxable when the employer pays the premium, and many plans exclude bonuses and commissions.
  • Individual disability insurance generally has no Social Security offset and pays tax-free benefits when premiums are paid with after-tax dollars.

In a typical group LTD plan, every dollar of Social Security disability reduces the group benefit. The total doesn’t go up.

How offsets work

Group LTD plans typically promise a percentage of salary, often 60%, from all sources combined. If the employee qualifies for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), workers’ compensation, or other disability income, the group plan subtracts those amounts. Many plans also estimate SSDI and reduce benefits until the employee proves they applied.

Three more things employees don’t know

  • Most group benefits are taxable. Employer-paid benefits can leave employees with roughly half their regular pay after tax.
  • Variable pay often isn’t covered. Employees who rely on overtime, commissions, or bonuses may find those excluded.
  • High earners hit the cap. Monthly maximums limit benefits for executives and business owners.

These findings echo research by The American College on employer disability benefits. See why 60% group coverage can feel like a 58% pay cut.

How individual coverage fills the gap

Individual disability insurance generally isn’t reduced by Social Security benefits, can cover variable income, is portable if the client changes jobs, and pays benefits free of income tax when premiums are paid personally. Layering it on group coverage restores meaningful replacement.

Frequently asked questions

Does Social Security disability reduce group LTD benefits?

In most group plans, yes. The group benefit is reduced by the amount of Social Security disability the person receives.

Does individual disability insurance have a Social Security offset?

Generally no for the base benefit, although some optional riders coordinate with Social Security.

Why is group disability coverage often not enough?

Offsets, taxes, benefit caps, and exclusions for bonuses or commissions can all reduce what employees actually receive.

50+ Years in Business60+ Top-Rated Carriers★★★★★ Rated by Advisors

Reviewed by Tim Fuller on 2026-09-25

Tim Fuller, President of SRS Inc.

Tim Fuller

President, SRS Inc.

Tim leads SRS Inc., a full-service IMO (Independent Marketing Organization) and BGA (Brokerage General Agency), connecting independent financial professionals with life, annuity, disability income, and long-term care solutions from 60+ carrier partners.

Connect on LinkedIn →

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Older Universal Life Policies at Risk of Lapse: When to Review

Happy family of four laughing together on the couch, representing life insurance protection

Many universal life policies still in force today were designed around interest rate assumptions far higher than what those policies have actually credited. Clients often don’t realize their coverage may be heading toward lapse. A proactive review can protect the death benefit — and your relationship.

Key takeaways

  • Current-assumption UL policies depend on credited interest and cost-of-insurance charges, so lower-than-illustrated crediting can quietly shorten how long coverage lasts.
  • An in-force illustration at current and guaranteed assumptions is the best way to see whether a policy is on track.
  • Options range from increasing premium or reducing the face amount to exchanging into a policy with stronger guarantees, depending on health and goals.

LIMRA research has found that 21% of consumers had no idea what type of coverage they had bought — many owners of older UL policies don’t know it can lapse.

Why older UL policies can drift off course

Universal life was built on flexibility: the owner pays premiums into an account, the carrier credits interest, and monthly cost-of-insurance and expense charges come out. Premiums were often set at the minimum needed to keep the policy in force under the interest rate illustrated at the time of sale.

When actual crediting falls below that illustrated rate for many years — and when cost-of-insurance charges rise with age — the cash value can erode faster than expected. A policy that looked guaranteed to age 100 may now be projected to lapse in the client’s 80s, precisely when replacing coverage is hardest.

Warning signs that call for a review

  • The policy was issued many years ago on a current-assumption (non-guaranteed) basis
  • Premiums have been paid at the originally illustrated minimum, or skipped
  • Cash value has been flat or declining on annual statements
  • The client has taken loans or withdrawals
  • The carrier has announced cost-of-insurance changes
  • The client can’t say how long the coverage is expected to last

Research from LIMRA has found that more than 60% of life insurance shoppers are proactive, often prompted by a desire to review coverage. Many clients will welcome the call.

How to run the review

Request an in-force illustration from the carrier showing projected values at both current and guaranteed assumptions, using the premium the client is actually paying. Then answer three questions:

  1. At current assumptions, when does the policy lapse?
  2. What level premium would carry it to the client’s target age?
  3. Is the original need still the right need today?

If the client’s health is good, new underwriting may open better options. Our field underwriting guide can help you gauge where a client may qualify before you apply.

Options when a policy is underfunded

  • Increase premium to restore the projected duration
  • Reduce the face amount to fit the existing funding
  • Exchange into a guaranteed UL or other product with stronger guarantees, potentially through a tax-free 1035 exchange
  • Add long-term care or chronic illness benefits where a modern policy can address additional needs

Any replacement should be evaluated carefully against surrender charges, new contestability and suicide periods, and the client’s current insurability. Our team can help you run the comparisons.

Frequently asked questions

Can a universal life policy lapse even if premiums were paid?

Yes. If the premium paid was based on an illustrated interest rate that wasn’t achieved, or if cost-of-insurance charges increased, the cash value can run out and the policy can lapse despite regular payments.

What is an in-force illustration?

It is a current projection from the carrier showing how an existing policy is expected to perform going forward, at both current and guaranteed assumptions, based on the premiums you specify.

Is a 1035 exchange a good fix for an underfunded UL policy?

It can be, if the client is insurable and a new policy provides stronger guarantees at an acceptable cost. It should be compared against increasing premium or reducing the face amount, considering surrender charges and new contestability.

50+ Years in Business60+ Top-Rated Carriers★★★★★ Rated by Advisors

Reviewed by Tim Fuller on 2026-09-25

Tim Fuller, President of SRS Inc.

Tim Fuller

President, SRS Inc.

Tim leads SRS Inc., a full-service IMO (Independent Marketing Organization) and BGA (Brokerage General Agency), connecting independent financial professionals with life, annuity, disability income, and long-term care solutions from 60+ carrier partners.

Connect on LinkedIn →

We’re Here to Help

Have a question about what you just read, or a case you’re working on? Tell us a bit about what you need, and a member of the SRS team will follow up with you personally — no obligation, no hassle.

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3 Questions That Show Clients Why They Need Long-Term Care Insurance

Adult daughter and her aging mother sharing a warm moment while discussing long-term care planning

Clients rarely buy long-term care insurance because of a statistic. They buy it when they see what a care event would mean for them and their family. Three questions help them get there on their own.

Key takeaways

  • Asking “What’s your plan?” reveals that most clients have never thought about where or how they’d receive care.
  • Asking “Who do you know?” brings up real experiences that make the need personal.
  • Asking “How will you pay?” shows that health insurance doesn’t cover most long-term care, and savings may have to.

Health insurance and Medicare don’t pay for most long-term custodial care. Many clients don’t know that until you ask how they’d pay.

1. What’s your plan?

Most clients haven’t considered what happens when they need help with everyday tasks. Where would they live? Who would help them? Would they stay at home? These questions turn an abstract risk into a planning gap they can see.

2. Who do you know?

Ask whether they know someone who has needed long-term care, or has provided it. Clients who have watched the emotional, physical, and financial toll on a family usually don’t want the same for theirs. Their own stories are more persuasive than anything you could say. More on using storytelling in LTC sales.

3. How will you pay?

Many clients assume health insurance or Medicare will cover it. Neither pays for most extended custodial care. Without a plan, the cost comes from retirement savings or forced asset sales. A long-term care policy helps ensure funds are there, so they can choose the care they want without draining their savings.

After the questions

Once the need is clear, move to design: benefit amount, benefit period, and whether a traditional, hybrid, or rider-based product fits best. Our LTC team can help you run options.

Frequently asked questions

Does Medicare pay for long-term care?

Medicare generally doesn’t cover long-term custodial care, such as help with bathing or dressing. It covers limited skilled care after a hospital stay.

What questions should I ask a client about long-term care?

Start with what their plan is, whether they know someone who needed care, and how they would pay for it.

Why don’t statistics sell long-term care insurance?

Most people don’t see themselves in the numbers. Personal questions and real stories make the need concrete.

50+ Years in Business60+ Top-Rated Carriers★★★★★ Rated by Advisors

Reviewed by Tim Fuller on 2026-09-25

Tim Fuller, President of SRS Inc.

Tim Fuller

President, SRS Inc.

Tim leads SRS Inc., a full-service IMO (Independent Marketing Organization) and BGA (Brokerage General Agency), connecting independent financial professionals with life, annuity, disability income, and long-term care solutions from 60+ carrier partners.

Connect on LinkedIn →

We’re Here to Help

Have a question about what you just read, or a case you’re working on? Tell us a bit about what you need, and a member of the SRS team will follow up with you personally — no obligation, no hassle.

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Please let us know what's on your mind. Have a question for us? Ask away.

Can Your Clients Afford a 58% Pay Cut? The Truth About Group Disability Coverage

Professional working confidently at her desk, representing disability income protection

Most employees with group disability coverage believe they’re protected. Few know how much their plan would actually pay, or that the benefit is probably taxable.

Key takeaways

  • Typical group LTD covers 60% of base salary, but employer-paid benefits are taxable to the employee.
  • After taxes, the benefit can be as little as about 42% of base income, a 58% pay cut.
  • Individual disability insurance on top of group coverage can bring replacement back to around 80% of pre-disability income.

A 60% group benefit, taxed, can shrink to about 42% of base pay. That’s a 58% pay cut when the family needs income most.

The reality of group coverage

A typical group long-term disability plan replaces 60% of base salary. When the employer pays the premium, benefits are taxable, so the after-tax benefit can be as low as about 42% of regular pay. For highly compensated employees, it’s often less: many plans cap the monthly benefit, and many exclude bonuses, commissions, and incentive pay.

Filling the gap with individual coverage

An individual disability policy layered on top of group LTD can restore total replacement to roughly 80% of pre-disability earnings. Individual benefits bought with after-tax premiums are generally received tax-free. Some carriers offer supplemental coverage on a simplified basis, with no exam or tax returns, up to set limits, and discounts (for example, 20% or more with unisex rates) when three or more employees of the same employer buy.

Turning “I’m covered at work” into a conversation

When clients say they’re covered through work, ask to see what their plan would actually pay, whether it’s taxable, whether bonuses are covered, and whether there’s a cap. Group benefits can also be reduced by Social Security disability payments; see how group LTD offsets work. For high earners, see closing the income gap above $150,000.

Frequently asked questions

Are group disability benefits taxable?

If the employer pays the premium, benefits are generally taxable to the employee.

How much does group long-term disability pay?

Typically 60% of base salary, often with a monthly cap, and frequently excluding bonuses and commissions.

Can I buy individual disability insurance if I have group coverage?

Yes. Supplemental individual DI is designed to layer on top of group coverage, often up to about 80% total replacement.

50+ Years in Business60+ Top-Rated Carriers★★★★★ Rated by Advisors

Reviewed by Tim Fuller on 2026-09-25

Tim Fuller, President of SRS Inc.

Tim Fuller

President, SRS Inc.

Tim leads SRS Inc., a full-service IMO (Independent Marketing Organization) and BGA (Brokerage General Agency), connecting independent financial professionals with life, annuity, disability income, and long-term care solutions from 60+ carrier partners.

Connect on LinkedIn →

We’re Here to Help

Have a question about what you just read, or a case you’re working on? Tell us a bit about what you need, and a member of the SRS team will follow up with you personally — no obligation, no hassle.

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Using Indexed UL Alongside a 401(k) to Help Clients Retire on Time

Active retired couple walking their dog on a coastal trail, representing retirement planning

Many clients plan to retire at 65, counting on a 401(k) to carry them. But a market decline in the years just before retirement can push that date back. Indexed universal life, used alongside a 401(k), can add a layer of downside protection and tax-advantaged flexibility.

Key takeaways

  • A 401(k) is exposed to market volatility, and distributions are taxed as ordinary income.
  • A common strategy: contribute enough to capture the full employer match, then direct additional savings to a properly funded IUL policy.
  • IUL offers an index-crediting floor, tax-advantaged access to cash value through loans and withdrawals, and a death benefit — but caps, participation rates and charges vary and change.

If a client’s investments are down in the years just before retirement, they may have to work longer and hope their allocations turn around.

The sequence-of-returns problem for 401(k)-dependent clients

For clients whose primary retirement asset is a 401(k), timing matters. A downturn shortly before or after retirement can force them to delay retirement or draw down a depressed account. And because 401(k) distributions are taxed as ordinary income, every dollar withdrawn is worth less than it appears.

If the 401(k) is one piece of a diversified plan, this may not be a major concern. But if it’s the plan, adding a non-correlated, tax-advantaged bucket can help.

The “above the match” strategy

When an employer matches contributions, it almost always makes sense to contribute enough to capture the full match. Savings beyond that point can be directed into an Indexed UL policy designed for accumulation.

Because index crediting has a floor (commonly 0%), credited interest won’t be negative in a down year — though policy charges continue to be deducted, so cash value can still decline if crediting is low. Upside is limited by caps and participation rates, which vary by product and are subject to change. Illustrate using current rates and reasonable assumptions.

Income and protection in one plan

A properly funded IUL can provide supplemental retirement income through policy loans and withdrawals, which are generally income-tax-free if the policy is not a modified endowment contract and remains in force. Understanding the loan options is critical; our article on IUL policy loans for retirement distributions explains the trade-offs.

If the client dies before retirement, the beneficiary receives an income-tax-free death benefit — protection a 401(k) balance alone can’t provide in the early years.

Who this fits

  • Clients contributing to a 401(k) without an employer match
  • Clients contributing beyond the match who want tax diversification
  • Clients who also need permanent life insurance protection
  • Clients with the discipline and cash flow to fund the policy consistently for many years

Contact our life team to see how much supplemental income a properly designed IUL could help generate for your client.

Frequently asked questions

Can an IUL policy lose value?

Index crediting typically has a floor, often 0%, so credited interest won’t be negative. However, cost-of-insurance and other charges are still deducted, so cash value can decline in years when crediting is low.

Is IUL a replacement for a 401(k)?

No. For most clients it works best as a complement — capturing the full employer match first, then using IUL for additional savings, tax diversification and death benefit protection.

Are IUL retirement distributions tax-free?

Policy loans and withdrawals up to basis are generally income-tax-free if the policy is not a modified endowment contract and stays in force. A lapse with loans outstanding can trigger taxes.

50+ Years in Business60+ Top-Rated Carriers★★★★★ Rated by Advisors

Reviewed by Tim Fuller on 2026-09-25

Tim Fuller, President of SRS Inc.

Tim Fuller

President, SRS Inc.

Tim leads SRS Inc., a full-service IMO (Independent Marketing Organization) and BGA (Brokerage General Agency), connecting independent financial professionals with life, annuity, disability income, and long-term care solutions from 60+ carrier partners.

Connect on LinkedIn →

We’re Here to Help

Have a question about what you just read, or a case you’re working on? Tell us a bit about what you need, and a member of the SRS team will follow up with you personally — no obligation, no hassle.

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Cigars, Pilots, Divers, and Family History: One Carrier’s Underwriting Strengths

Underwriter reviewing medical and financial data with a client during risk assessment

Some carriers stand out for how they treat common lifestyle factors and mild conditions. Here’s a snapshot of one A+ carrier’s underwriting strengths that can help shape better offers.

Key takeaways

  • Occasional cigar users (two a month or less) with a negative urine test can qualify for Preferred Plus through Standard Plus non-tobacco.
  • Family history rules are lenient: not applied at 60+, deaths only, and not for opposite-sex gender-specific cancers.
  • Airline pilots can qualify for all Preferred classes, and certified divers under 100 feet may qualify for Preferred.

Two cigars a month and a negative nicotine test? That can still be Preferred Plus non-tobacco at this carrier.

Tobacco and marijuana

  • Occasional cigar use (two or fewer per month) with a negative urinalysis: Preferred Plus, Preferred, or Standard Plus non-tobacco
  • Occasional marijuana use: Preferred or Standard Plus non-tobacco possible. See marijuana underwriting.

Family history

  • Not applied for applicants 60 and older (for Preferred Plus, Preferred, and Standard Plus)
  • Considers deaths only, not diagnoses
  • Doesn’t apply opposite-sex gender-specific cancers
  • Family deaths from diabetes can still qualify for Preferred Plus through Standard Plus

See family history rules for older applicants.

Common conditions

  • Mild asthma: may be eligible for Preferred
  • Mild sleep apnea with verified CPAP use: may be eligible for Preferred
  • Treatment for cholesterol or hypertension doesn’t exclude Preferred classes
  • Cholesterol up to 300 with favorable ratios: 5.0 or less for Preferred Plus, 6.0 for Preferred, 7.0 for Standard Plus

Aviation and avocations

  • Commercial airline pilots: all Preferred classes
  • Certain private pilots with IFR or ATP ratings, 50–250 hours a year and 1,000+ total hours: Preferred and Standard Plus
  • Certified scuba divers diving under 100 feet: Preferred classes may be available

Guidelines change; confirm current rules before quoting.

Frequently asked questions

Can pilots get Preferred life insurance rates?

At some carriers, commercial airline pilots qualify for all Preferred classes, and experienced private pilots may qualify for Preferred.

Does scuba diving affect life insurance?

It can, but some carriers offer Preferred to certified divers who stay under certain depths.

Do occasional cigars count as tobacco use for life insurance?

At some carriers, occasional use with a negative nicotine test can qualify for non-tobacco rates.

50+ Years in Business60+ Top-Rated Carriers★★★★★ Rated by Advisors

Reviewed by Tim Fuller on 2026-09-25

Tim Fuller, President of SRS Inc.

Tim Fuller

President, SRS Inc.

Tim leads SRS Inc., a full-service IMO (Independent Marketing Organization) and BGA (Brokerage General Agency), connecting independent financial professionals with life, annuity, disability income, and long-term care solutions from 60+ carrier partners.

Connect on LinkedIn →

We’re Here to Help

Have a question about what you just read, or a case you’re working on? Tell us a bit about what you need, and a member of the SRS team will follow up with you personally — no obligation, no hassle.

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Starting the Long-Term Care Conversation With Clients in Their 40s and 50s

Adult daughter and her aging mother sharing a warm moment while discussing long-term care planning

Clients in their 40s and 50s are in a unique position. Many are watching their own parents need care, and they’re still young and healthy enough to get good coverage for themselves. The right questions connect those two facts.

Key takeaways

  • Clients in their 40s and 50s often have firsthand experience with a parent’s or relative’s care needs.
  • Start with their experience, then turn the same questions toward their own future.
  • Planning at this age means lower premiums and a much better chance of qualifying.

“You’ve seen what your mom’s care has meant for your family. What would you want to be different when it’s your turn?”

Start with what they’ve seen

  • Have you had a family member or friend who needed long-term care?
  • How and where was that care provided?
  • How did it affect the family, physically and emotionally?
  • How was the cost handled?

Then turn it to their future

  • Have you thought about what a care need would mean for your assets and your family?
  • Where would you want to receive care?
  • Could you absorb the cost of care from savings?
  • How involved would you want your family to be?

Why this age group is the sweet spot

Premiums are lower and underwriting is easier in the 40s and 50s than in the 60s. Clients also have time to build a plan instead of reacting to a crisis. See selling LTC to clients aged 45–55 and the cost of waiting.

From conversation to plan

Once clients see the impact on their loved ones, product details become a natural next step rather than a sales pitch. Our LTC team can help you design options for any budget.

Frequently asked questions

Should I buy long-term care insurance in my 40s?

It can make sense, especially for those with a family history of care needs. Premiums are lower and qualifying is easier than later in life.

How do I start a long-term care conversation with a client?

Ask about their experience with a family member who needed care, then ask how they’d want their own situation to be handled.

What is the best age to plan for long-term care?

Many advisors recommend starting the conversation by age 50.

50+ Years in Business60+ Top-Rated Carriers★★★★★ Rated by Advisors

Reviewed by Tim Fuller on 2026-09-25

Tim Fuller, President of SRS Inc.

Tim Fuller

President, SRS Inc.

Tim leads SRS Inc., a full-service IMO (Independent Marketing Organization) and BGA (Brokerage General Agency), connecting independent financial professionals with life, annuity, disability income, and long-term care solutions from 60+ carrier partners.

Connect on LinkedIn →

We’re Here to Help

Have a question about what you just read, or a case you’re working on? Tell us a bit about what you need, and a member of the SRS team will follow up with you personally — no obligation, no hassle.

Name(Required)
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Please let us know what's on your mind. Have a question for us? Ask away.

Disability Coverage for Professional Athletes: Critical Injury, Loss of Value, and Draft Protection

Professional working confidently at her desk, representing disability income protection

Professional athletes face injury risk every time they train, practice, and compete. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has listed athletes among the few occupations with more than 1,000 injuries per 10,000 workers. For them, one injury can mean a lost season, a smaller contract, or the end of a career.

Key takeaways

  • Athlete contracts vary widely in how much is guaranteed, so income protection needs differ by sport and player.
  • Specialty coverage can pay for major injuries even when the athlete eventually returns to play.
  • Loss of value and draft protection policies insure future earnings, not just current income.

A projected first-round pick who is injured and drops to the third round can lose millions. Loss of value coverage insures that gap.

Critical injury or illness

Pays a predetermined lump sum for major injuries, such as a torn ACL, Achilles, or patellar tendon, even if the athlete returns the next season. The benefit helps cover lost income during recovery.

Roster bonus coverage

Some NFL contracts pay per-game bonuses for being on the active game-day roster. Specialty coverage can pay a set per-game benefit when a player on the full roster or injured reserve misses the game-day roster because of accidental injury or illness.

Loss of value

Not every injury ends a career, but it can reduce ability and market value. Loss of value coverage insures the difference, for example when a projected first-round pick is injured before the draft and selected in the third round. Veterans can also use it before re-signing.

Draft protection

Prospects risk everything before they can sign a professional contract. Draft protection coverage pays if an injury or illness destroys or reduces their draft value.

Tailored placements

Each plan is built around the athlete’s sport, contract, and projected value, which is easier when working with many specialty markets. Availability and terms change, so contact us for current options. See real placements for an NFL draft pick and an MLB player.

Frequently asked questions

Can professional athletes get disability insurance?

Yes, through specialty markets that offer permanent total disability, critical injury, loss of value, and draft protection coverage.

What is loss of value insurance?

Coverage that pays if an injury or illness reduces an athlete’s future contract value, such as dropping in the draft.

What is draft protection insurance?

Coverage for amateur athletes that pays if an injury or illness reduces or eliminates their draft prospects.

50+ Years in Business60+ Top-Rated Carriers★★★★★ Rated by Advisors

Reviewed by Tim Fuller on 2026-09-25

Tim Fuller, President of SRS Inc.

Tim Fuller

President, SRS Inc.

Tim leads SRS Inc., a full-service IMO (Independent Marketing Organization) and BGA (Brokerage General Agency), connecting independent financial professionals with life, annuity, disability income, and long-term care solutions from 60+ carrier partners.

Connect on LinkedIn →

We’re Here to Help

Have a question about what you just read, or a case you’re working on? Tell us a bit about what you need, and a member of the SRS team will follow up with you personally — no obligation, no hassle.

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The Permanent $15 Million Estate Tax Exemption: What It Means for Life Insurance Planning

Advisor and client reviewing an advanced markets estate planning strategy in a private office

For years, estate planning conversations centered on a deadline: the doubled estate tax exemption was set to be cut in half on January 1, 2026. That deadline is gone. The 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act replaced it with a permanent, higher exemption, and that changes how advisors should talk about estate liquidity.

Key takeaways

  • From January 1, 2026, the federal estate, gift, and generation-skipping exemption is $15 million per person ($30 million for married couples), indexed for inflation after 2026.
  • The exemption no longer has a scheduled sunset, though Congress can always change the law again.
  • Clients with estates above the exemption, estates likely to grow past it, or exposure to state estate taxes still need a liquidity plan.

$15 million per person, $30 million per couple, indexed for inflation and with no scheduled sunset — starting January 1, 2026.

What changed

Under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the exemption roughly doubled but was scheduled to fall back by about half at the start of 2026. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed in July 2025, instead set the exemption at $15 million per person from 2026, indexed for inflation in later years, with no sunset date. The top federal estate tax rate remains 40%.

What still applies for married couples

  • Two exemptions: a married couple can shelter up to $30 million combined.
  • Portability: a surviving spouse can use the deceased spouse’s unused exemption, but only if an estate tax return is filed at the first death, even when no tax is owed.
  • Second-death planning: with the unlimited marital deduction, estate tax is usually deferred to the second death, which is why survivorship life insurance is typically the most cost-efficient way to fund it.

Who still needs estate liquidity planning

  • Clients whose estates exceed, or are likely to grow past, the exemption.
  • Clients in states with their own estate or inheritance tax. Roughly a dozen states plus D.C. levy estate tax, some with exemptions far below the federal level.
  • Owners of illiquid assets, such as a business or real estate, who need cash for taxes, equalization among heirs, or buyouts.
  • Clients who want protection against future law changes. “Permanent” means no scheduled expiration, not that Congress can’t revisit it.

Where life insurance fits

Life insurance owned by an irrevocable trust can provide tax-free liquidity outside the taxable estate, exactly when it’s needed. For couples, request a survivorship illustration sized to the projected liability; joint life expectancy makes the coverage far less expensive than insuring each spouse separately. If the older generation can’t qualify, see how generational split-dollar can keep the plan alive. For a broader look, read why life insurance is still an estate planning tool.

Frequently asked questions

What is the estate tax exemption in 2026?

$15 million per person, or $30 million for a married couple, under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. It’s indexed for inflation after 2026.

Did the estate tax exemption sunset in 2026?

No. The 2025 law replaced the scheduled 2026 reduction with a permanent $15 million exemption, with no sunset date.

Do clients under $15 million still need estate planning insurance?

Some do, especially those in states with their own estate taxes, those with illiquid assets, and those whose estates are likely to grow past the exemption.

50+ Years in Business60+ Top-Rated Carriers★★★★★ Rated by Advisors

Reviewed by Tim Fuller on 2026-09-25

Tim Fuller, President of SRS Inc.

Tim Fuller

President, SRS Inc.

Tim leads SRS Inc., a full-service IMO (Independent Marketing Organization) and BGA (Brokerage General Agency), connecting independent financial professionals with life, annuity, disability income, and long-term care solutions from 60+ carrier partners.

Connect on LinkedIn →

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Have a question about what you just read, or a case you’re working on? Tell us a bit about what you need, and a member of the SRS team will follow up with you personally — no obligation, no hassle.

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LTC Riders vs. Chronic Illness Riders: The Nuances Advisors Need to Know

Advisor supporting a couple as they review living needs benefits paperwork together

As more life carriers add living benefit riders, the differences between them matter more. Two riders that sound alike can pay very differently at claim time, and understanding the details now prevents problems later.

Key takeaways

  • Chronic illness riders generally require certification that the condition is likely permanent; LTC riders can pay for temporary or permanent claims.
  • Some carriers require catch-up premiums if a temporary LTC claim ends, which can be costly.
  • Know whether a rider charges up front or at claim, whether the benefit amount is known in advance, and whether payments are indemnity or reimbursement.

A temporary LTC claim can end with a bill: some carriers require catch-up premiums for months premiums were waived.

Chronic illness vs. LTC riders

Carriers file accelerated benefit riders as either chronic illness riders (IRC 101(g)) or LTC riders (IRC 7702B). Chronic illness riders generally require a physician to certify the condition is likely to last the rest of the insured’s life. LTC riders can typically be used for either temporary or permanent claims. See a chronic illness rider case study.

Premium waivers and catch-up premiums

Premiums are often waived during an LTC rider claim, though some carriers still require scheduled premiums. For temporary claims, some carriers require a catch-up of waived premiums if the insured recovers, which can be costly after a long claim. One workaround is a shortened premium-paying period, so the policy is paid up before claims are likely.

Costs and benefit amounts

Some chronic illness riders have no charge until they’re used, and some carriers can’t state the benefit amount until a claim is filed, because it’s calculated as a discount at that time. Clients should understand this before buying.

How benefits are paid

  • Chronic illness riders: the main question is usually payment frequency, such as monthly or annual.
  • LTC riders: indemnity riders pay the full benefit once the client qualifies, regardless of expenses; reimbursement riders pay only actual qualified care costs and require coordination with the carrier.

Ownership also matters; see trust-owned policies with LTC riders.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an LTC rider and a chronic illness rider?

LTC riders (7702B) can pay for temporary or permanent needs and often have ongoing charges; chronic illness riders (101(g)) usually require a permanent condition and often charge at claim.

What is a catch-up premium on an LTC rider?

Some carriers require payment of premiums waived during a temporary LTC claim if the insured recovers.

What is the difference between indemnity and reimbursement LTC riders?

Indemnity pays the full benefit once qualified; reimbursement pays only actual qualified care expenses.

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Reviewed by Tim Fuller on 2026-09-25

Tim Fuller, President of SRS Inc.

Tim Fuller

President, SRS Inc.

Tim leads SRS Inc., a full-service IMO (Independent Marketing Organization) and BGA (Brokerage General Agency), connecting independent financial professionals with life, annuity, disability income, and long-term care solutions from 60+ carrier partners.

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