A Segregated Fund is a unique investment product offered by insurance companies that blends the growth potential of mutual funds with the estate settling benefits of life insurance. These funds are professionally managed and invested in a variety of asset classes, but unlike traditional mutual funds, they come with insurance guarantees that protect a portion—or all—of your original investment at maturity or upon death. This makes Segregated Funds particularly attractive for individuals seeking both investment growth and financial security.
Since these contracts are held by an insurance carrier, Segregated Funds allow you to name a beneficiary directly, which means the proceeds can bypass the estate, avoid probate fees, and maintain privacy. These features make them especially useful for estate planning, charitable giving, and protecting loved ones from delays or complications during estate settlement.
Key Features and Benefits
- Capital Protection
Segregated Funds offer maturity and death benefit guarantees—typically 75% to 100% of the original investment—providing peace of mind even in volatile markets. - Beneficiary Designation
You can name a person or a charity as the beneficiary, allowing the funds to pass directly to them without going through probate. This simplifies the estate process and can reduce legal costs. - Tax Benefits
When a charity is named as the beneficiary, your estate may be eligible for charitable donation tax credits, which can help offset taxes owed and maximize the impact of your gift. - Privacy
Unlike assets that pass through a will, Segregated Fund proceeds are paid directly to the beneficiary, keeping your financial affairs private and confidential. - Flexibility
Choose from a wide range of investment options to suit your risk tolerance, time horizon, and financial goals. Whether you’re seeking growth, income, or capital preservation, there are funds to suit your needs.
Ideal Uses for Segregated Funds
- Estate Planning
Segregated Funds are a powerful tool for ensuring your assets are distributed efficiently and privately. They can help minimize probate fees and delays, and provide guaranteed value to your beneficiaries. - Charitable Giving
By naming a charity as the beneficiary, you can leave a lasting legacy while potentially reducing the tax burden on your estate. This is a simple and effective way to support causes you care about. - Retirement Planning
For retirees, Segregated Funds offer a balance of growth and protection, helping to preserve capital while still participating in market gains. - Business Succession
Business owners can use Segregated Funds to fund buy-sell agreements or provide liquidity for estate taxes, ensuring a smooth transition of ownership. - Creditor Protection
In certain cases, Segregated Funds may offer protection from creditors, which can be beneficial for professionals and business owners concerned about liability. - Executor Fees
The role of your executor is a large responsibility and can be very time consuming. Your executor may take 2-5% of your estate as a fee to provide executor services. This fee will be taxable to your Executor. Alternately, you can name your executor as the beneficiary of a Segregated Fund to ensure they are compensated fairly for their efforts and receive the benefit tax free. There are times when family dynamics make it uncomfortable to take an Executor Fee, this will ensure they are not put in an uncomfortable situation and get fairly compensated. - Legacy settlement Options
Allow you to structure the distribution of your Segregated Investment Assets to people and causes you care about, in a manner that reflects your wishes and the specific needs of each beneficiary. - Incapacity Planning
Segregated funds allow you or your Power of Attorney to make future deposits to your account and take advantage of the existing beneficiary designations and payout structures. This allows you to maintain control over your estate planning needs.
Conclusion
By proactively planning your estate and utilizing options like the legacy settlement and segregated funds, you can significantly reduce the emotional and financial burdens on your loved ones. This ensures your assets are distributed exactly as you wish, providing an inexpensive, swift, and private distribution of assets. Contact us today to discuss how insurance-based investment products might be advantageous for your estate planning needs. We aim to ensure a seamless transition of assets and provide you with peace of mind.