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    Life settlement resources.

    Plain answers to the questions people ask most, organized by topic. Every answer has its own page, so you can read, share or come back to it.

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    Eight topics. Every question answered.

    The basics

    What a life settlement is, and how it compares with your other options.

    5 answers

    Who qualifies

    Age, coverage, policy types and how health plays in.

    4 answers

    Value and offers

    What buyers weigh, estimates versus offers, and comparing them.

    4 answers

    The process

    From your first appraisal to records, offers and payment.

    8 answers

    Taxes and money

    Taxes, fees, payment and the benefits you may rely on.

    8 answers

    Family and estate

    Your beneficiaries, family and the plans you have made.

    3 answers

    Privacy and safety

    Your records, licensed buyers and protections by state.

    3 answers

    For advisors

    Help a client consider every option before a policy ends.

    7 answers
    Most asked

    Where most people start.

    01

    Can a term life insurance policy qualify for a settlement?

    Yes, a term life insurance policy can sometimes qualify for a life settlement, but only under certain conditions. In most cases, the policy must be convertible, meaning it can be converted into a permanent policy—such as universal life—without requiring a new medical exam.

    02

    Is the money from a life settlement taxable?

    Often, part of it. What you paid in premiums usually comes back tax-free. The amount above that is generally taxed, in two different ways.

    03

    How long does the process usually take from application to closing?

    A completed sale typically takes 60–90 days from application to payment. We move as quickly as possible, but records, buyer reviews and the transfer affect timing.

    04

    How much can I expect to receive for my policy?

    Offers vary by policy, age, health and premiums. A life settlement can pay up to 9x the cash surrender value*, but an estimate is not a guaranteed offer.

    05

    What happens to my beneficiaries once I sell my policy?

    Once a life insurance policy is sold through a life settlement, the original beneficiaries are removed from the policy and no longer receive the death benefit. Ownership of the policy transfers to the buyer, who also becomes the new beneficiary and assumes responsibility for maintaining the policy.

    06

    What is a life settlement?

    A life settlement is the sale of an existing life insurance policy to a licensed buyer in exchange for an immediate cash payment. Instead of keeping the policy and continuing to pay premiums—or surrendering it back to the insurance company for a small amount—the policyholder transfers ownership to a buyer who takes over the policy.

    07

    Who is eligible to sell their life insurance policy?

    Eligibility to sell a life insurance policy through Settle depends on several factors, including the policyholder’s age, health, policy type, and the structure of the coverage.

    08

    Are there any fees?

    Your Settle appraisal is free, and there is no obligation to sell. Settle is paid by provider partners if a sale closes, not by you.

    Latest articles

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    Can You Sell a Term Life Insurance Policy? The Complete 2026 Guide
    guide · 10 min read

    Can You Sell a Term Life Insurance Policy? The Complete 2026 Guide

    Yes — many term life policies can be sold, even without cash value. Learn the exact criteria buyers use, how term policies are valued, and how to get the strongest offer.

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