Endowment Policy Buying Tips

Endowment Policy Buying Tips
by Robert Prime

Endowment is a combination of life insurance and investment growth saving plans. It is a premium based package that is valid for a specified period. The premium paid by the policy holder into the endowment is invested by policy office in the stock market. On the maturity of the endowment the policy holder is paid the agreed amount along with bonuses. In case the policy holder dies in mid-term then the insurance amount is paid to his beneficiary. Endowment policies are also used for repaying the mortgages but in case of endowment mortgage the monthly premium will also include the interest on the loan.

• Evaluate your needs
  

There are various types of endowment policies namely non-profit Endowment Policy, Traditional With Profits Endowment, Low Cost Endowment Policy, Unit Linked Endowment Policy, and Traded Endowment Policy. Each has its own pros and cons as their workings and methods of growth are different from each other. It is advisable that the policy holder should evaluate his financial needs and consults a professional before buying an Endowment Policy. Educate yourself to understand the features of each type of insurance policy and then select the policy that benefits you personally and suits your needs.

• Check the reputation of the insurance company
  

Make sure you select the top endowment company for buying an endowment policy. The reputation and previous records should be checked thoroughly before making the final decision to buy an endowment. Find out the company's market standing. Don't trust your agent blindly and verify the facts yourself. Go for company with credible ratings given by a credible agency.

• Evaluate the Front-End Loading
  

The set up cost, administration charges and commission payments are usually higher in the early years and are hidden within the monthly premiums. These initial costs are known as front end loading. Therefore, before you choose an endowment find out the charges and past performance of the fund.

• Check the Endowment Mortgage Fee
  

In case of endowment mortgage, calculate the mortgage fees carefully and try to evaluate the mortgage package before buying an endowment policy. At times, the lender charges additional front loan or processing fee, so carefully plan the investment to avoid defaulting.

• Endowment Selling and Surrendering Options
  

A good alternative to surrendering is endowment policy selling. In this, the policy holder can sell the policy in TEP market and fetch a fair value of the policy. The main advantage here is that the policy holder usually gets much more than the surrender value offered by the insurance company.

Endowment: Where Should You Be Investing Your Money?

Endowment: Where Should You Be Investing Your Money?
by Charles Newman

Investing money is supposedly a safe discipline, to put a few pennies away for times of need, possibly to make retirement a little more comfortable. However many have recently found, that our financial investments are far from secure and a constant worry. With the UK financial situation shaken up, where is the best place to keep your hard earned savings safe and sound?

Share prices from around the world seem to have been massively affected by recessions faced in the major global economies. Unfortunately savvy investors who invested in the UK and overseas have been hit both times, with the US and Japanese markets also performing badly. Successful traders buy when shares are low and sell when they are high. Some would argue now is the time to buy, however this is a risky approach since there are no guarantees and nothing to stop share prices crashing further.

Property investment a few years ago looked as safe as houses, yet this year house prices have consistently fallen, proving that even the safest, well established investment methods can still be rocked to their foundations. Mortgages have followed suit with the financial recession, meaning consumers are finding it increasingly difficult to get finance to snap up the supposedly cheap houses on the market presently. Again could be a seen as a great time to invest in property if you do have sufficient funds.

Pension schemes have not had the best track record and there seems to be a trend showing public opinion swaying away from investing years of savings in pension schemes and looking elsewhere. A recent example was on 12 September 2007, Northern Rock asked the Bank of England, as lender of last resort in the United Kingdom, for a liquidity support facility due to problems in raising funds in the money market to replace maturing money market borrowings. Overnight customers panicked and stores had queues of customers the following day desperately trying to withdraw their savings. In one incident, police were called to the branch in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire when two joint account holders barricaded the bank manager in her office after she refused to let them withdraw £1 million from their account.

So where should you invest your savings to maximise return and minimise risk? Well the simply answer is no one knows. I believe the best tip is based on an old saying, dont keep all your eggs in one basket. Spreading out your savings could be the best way to safeguard your savings. It is possible to invest 7200 GBP each tax year is ISAs, 30000 GBP in guaranteed premium bonds with national savings and investments. If you still have more money to invest why not think of alternative investment opportunities, for example: endowment policies.

Endowment Mortgage: What can you complain about?

Endowment Mortgage: What can you complain about?

You may have grounds for complaint if your adviser did not:

• tell you how your money would be invested and explain the risks involved;
  
• explain that an endowment policy is a long–term commitment that often gives a poor return if you cash it in early;
  
• check you were comfortable with the risks of your money being linked to investment performance, including the stockmarket;
  
• check there was a reasonable expectation you would be able to keep up payments until the end of the term; or
  
• explain any fees and charges and how they would affect the return on your savings. If you bought your endowment policy between 29 April 1988 and 31 December 1994, you should have been given ‘product particulars’. These are various details about your policy, including charges and surrender values for the first five years. If you bought your policy on or after 1 January 1995, you should have been given a key features document. This gives details of fees and charges and how they affect your savings over the longer term.
  

You may also be able to complain if:

• your endowment policy finishes after you retire and the adviser did not check that you were likely to be able to carry on paying the premiums after you retired;
  
• you were advised to cancel one endowment policy and take out another;
  
• your endowment policy runs on after your mortgage loan is due to finish; or
  
• you were given a guarantee that the endowment policy would pay off the mortgage loan (though this is likely to be rare).

Endowments: Selling Endowment Policies

Endowments: Selling Endowment Policies
by Gord Collins

Many homeowners in the UK during the 80's and 90's purchased endowment policies. They were sometimes called mortgage endowment policies. These policies were a form of insurance and investment savings that would cover the final cost of the home mortgage when it came due. The policy holder would make monthly payments and these payments were to cover their mortgage and provide for some savings.

Despite intentions or promises, investments can vary in end value, and these policies did not come with a guarantee that they would pay out enough to repay the mortgage at the end of the policy term. What's occurring now is the endowments have a shortfall and cannot pay the owners mortgage payments. In some cases, endowment holders are reporting shortfalls of tens of thousands of pounds.

That has resulted in a lot of stress and disappointment for the policy holders. Many in a state of frustration are surrendering them to the issuing life companies for much less than their value. Life companies include Norwich Union, London Life, Scottish Widows, Prudential Life and many others.

Selling on the Secondary Market
Finance companies have appeared who help find buyers for these policies. Endowment policies can be traded, bought or sold on the open market. A few of the endowment policy trading firms have access to extensive numbers of potential buyers who are looking for the right type of policies to purchase. That means sellers can access buyers who are more interested in their particular policy and that results in a higher price.

Left to their own devices, endowment policy holders don't have access to the right services. Without a strong base of potential buyers, they're not likely going to receive the full value of their policy.

What is a Traded Endowment Policy?
Traded endowment policies or TEPs are policies which the original policyholder has sold and that includes the assignment of all future benefits. Endowment policies are long-term and fairly rigid in design. Many policy holders realized that the endowment policies do not meet their changing financial circumstances and goals. They can borrow against the value of the policy as it is considered a viable asset by banks and finance companies. They can also unload the endowment policy by selling them.

Only about a third of all endowment policies reach full term, (e.g., 25 years). Many are or were cancelled within a few years of their conception. That leaves about a third that may reach full term.

Traded Endowment Claims
Endowment policies were sold as a savings instrument that would help to cover long term home mortgages. Many didn't and won't and that has resulted in a lot of legal or mis-selling claims and the assurance companies who issued them. Financial services firms are offering to help with the process of policy holders selling their policies. To avoid scams and ripoffs in the UK, you should not sell your policy via any firm that does not adhere to the dictates of the Financial Services Authority's Mortgage Endowment Department.

There are numerous companies brokering or selling endowments and policyholders are recommended to ensure these companies are governed by the FSA in the UK.

Endowment Policies: Selling It The Easy Way

Endowment Policies: Selling It The Easy Way
by Monique Holtman

Even if you are expert when it comes to selling endowment policies, chances are that everyone is going to want a helping hand when they set out to do this. For this reason many people enlist the help of a company that specializes in selling endowment policies. Whether it's because you simply want to ensure that you get the best possible price for your policy or if it's because you don't know the first thing about them, you are going to feel more secure knowing that you have professionals helping you out.

One of the biggest advantages of using a company that specializes in selling endowment policies is the fact that they have inside knowledge of the market that you would never be able to attain. This means that they will be able to get the best possible price for you policy and will also be using good, reputable companies.

If you are a very busy person then it is unlikely that you are going to have time to phone around various different companies in order to try and find out the best price for your policy. Therefore using a company that specializes in endowment policies means that they do all the hard work for you and all you have to do is sit back and wait for the quote they give you.

Few people realize that there are hidden costs involved in selling endowment policies. However, any good company that you use to do this for you should include all the legal and administration costs of selling your policy. This means that you don't have to worry about any hidden costs or surprise bills when you have sold your policy.

When looking for companies that sell endowment policies it is important to use one that is authorized and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. If you do this you can guarantee that they will be governed by the highest standards of ethics and business practice which means that you are going to get a good service.

All members of staff who work for these companies will have had a lot of experience when it comes to selling endowment policies. They are bound to know more than you regarding the topic as this is their job and therefore they will be able to offer you good advice and help you to get the most out of selling your policy when it comes to doing so.

Should You Sell Your Endowment Policy?

Should You Sell Your Endowment Policy?
by Suzanne Ames

Where and who do you recommend selling an endowment policy to other than the company to whom I have it with? Would I get more value from the surrender value choosing this option?

Answer

The market for second-hand endowments has grown considerably as a result of changing lifestyles and disillusionment over poor returns. Endowment policyholders have always had the option of surrendering their policy to the life assurance firm that issued it if they do not wish to hold the policy to the end of its term.

One alternative is to make the policy "paid-up" - this means you make no more contributions to the policy but leave it to maturity with the contributions you have already made.

However, if you have a with-profits endowment policy you have further options as well in the second-hand market. A number of firms offer facilities where you may sell your policy or auction it.

Why would you do this? Quite simply, because, in many cases, you may be able to get a better return than the surrender value quoted by your life assurer. Unfortunately, there is currently no market for unit-linked policies.

Of course, there is no guarantee that you will receive more for your policy by selling it rather than accepting the surrender value but uplifts of 5-15% depending on the size of policy and the length of time to maturity have been achieved.

Do remember, however, that if you do decide to dispose of your endowment policy you will also be saying goodbye to the life insurance element as well. If you still require the life cover, you will need to replace this.

So, why would anyone want to buy a second-hand endowment policy? Buyers are hoping that the growth in their 'investment' will come in the form of the terminal bonus. This is an amount paid by the life company at the end of the term. It is not guaranteed, but is designed to reflect the performance of the underlying assets within the investment since inception.

Some life companies command higher prices than others, mainly due to their record of bonus payments. At the time of writing, Scottish Amicable, Scottish Provident, Norwich Union and Clerical Medical policies are all viewed attractively in the open market. Policies that are at least £5,000 in value and have at least five years away from the end date are also most desirable.

In order to get a quote for the second-hand value of your policy, you will need to go through an intermediary such as a independent financial adviser.

Endowment Policy - Another Forgotten Option

Endowment Policy - Another Forgotten Option
by Michael Challiner

These complicated financial products combine life insurance and investment growth in one package. They were most commonly used as a way of repaying a mortgage and were most popular with homebuyers in the eighties and nineties.

The reason so many people bought them was because home loan firms and middlemen such as estate agents earned large commissions for selling. The charges tend to be 'front-loaded' meaning most of it is paid up front and therefore, for several years you will receive little if anything back if you have to stop paying the premiums.

In theory, these policies can grow to more than you need to repay your mortgage, giving you a bonus to spend on anything you like. In practice, this has rarely happened in recent years and of the 8.5 million endowments in 2004, 6.8 million were not expected to clear the mortgage they were originally intended to pay off.

With an endowment mortgage, you do not repay any of the capital you borrow during the term of the loan. Alternatively, the endowment policy should grow to produce a lump sum which is large enough to repay the loan in full at the end of the pre-agreed period of, normally, 25 years.

The monthly payments consist of interest on your mortgage loan and the premium for the endowment. Within the package you also pay for life insurance which will repay the loan should you die. However, there is no guarantee your endowment will pay off your mortgage.

When the time comes to making a decision on stopping an endowment and surrendering it, it is important to check your policy and make sure there is some value in doing so.

Early redemption can result in making less than you would have if it carried on for its full term. However, if you need the money, this could be our only solution.

Continuing to pay money into a poorly performing investment could be throwing away hard earned cash.

As well as surrendering it back to the company from whom it was bought from, policyholders also have the option of selling to a third party.

This can also have the added benefit of getting more for your policy than you would if it were sold back to the original issuer.

Different companies will have different requirements when it comes to them buying your endowment.

Usually they would require it to be with-profits or a with-profits whole life policy and have been running for a minimum number of years (the number of depending on the company).

Some will also require a surrender value of at least £1,500. If your policy does not meet the criteria, they will not be able to handle your sale. This would mean the only other option available is what the policy issuer will offer.

The Association of Policy Market Makers (APMM) is the industry body for firms specialising in the buying and selling of endowments. An independent financial advisor could also be helpful in comparing offers and helping you get the most for your policy.

There will be a fee for the work, but it could save you time and energy and also help you achieve the best possible price.

Don’t forget how important your endowment policy is. Like with an investment, you should not suddenly cancel the policy without doing the appropriate research and taking the adequate financial advice.

If you stop payments on a policy, you may lose any life assurance cover that was offered to you. This is an important consideration for your dependents if you are then taken ill or were to die without having set up an alternative method of paying off the policy.

On average around half of the total payout on an endowment if you don’t sell will come on the very last day. This is the so-called terminal bonus and it is not guaranteed. Stop paying in before then and you are likely to lose this. Instead, you will get the benefit of only the annual bonuses added to your policy.

The Endowment Mortgage Scandal in UK

The Endowment Mortgage Scandal in UK - Millions Left with Shortfalls May be Entitled to Compensation
by Martin Nolan

During the 1980’s and 90’s a new concept of property mortgaging arrived in the UK. Endowment mortgages became extremely popular with homebuyers who wanted a secure but affordable method of repaying their mortgage debt. Most large financial organisations were happy to offer these products and they were sold by large banks, building societies and high street brokers.

The general concept of an endowment mortgage was that the customer would make regular installments into an investment fund managed by the endowment provider (the big financial organisations). The investment would eventually generate enough money to pay off the mortgage debt in full and usually the customer would be left with an extra amount or bonus at the end. In addition to this the customer would also have the benefit of life insurance for the duration of the investment period with cover provided up to the value of the endowment maturity value. The overall financial package of a combined insurance and savings product linked to lower mortgage payments, was almost too good to be true. As a result there are currently around ten million active endowment policies in the UK.

Like most things that seem too good to be true, endowment mortgage policies have sadly proven to be extremely disappointing for the vast majority of customers. These investment products are closely linked to the worlds stock markets but with the recent 5 year global recession and sharp downturn experienced by most countries, the anticipated return on investment is proving to be far less than the endowment providers anticipated.

It is estimated that 80% of all existing endowment products will fail to meet the projected target amount and some will have considerable shortfalls. This means that potentially as many as 8 million people in the UK will fail to reap any bonuses from their plans but worst of all may completely fail to pay off their mortgage debt by the time their plan matures.

It was not long before the consumer groups began asking serious questions about the credibility of endowment policies and the regulatory body in the UK Financial Services Authority (FSA) was forced to act following complaints about widespread misselling.

It has since become apparent that millions of endowment policies were mis-sold in that the individuals or organisations conducting the sale, failed to follow the rules and notify the customer of certain key features relating to the advantages and disadvantages of the endowment products. Far too much emphasis was placed on the benefits of the products with little or no discussion about the risks involved with potentially erratic investments that were linked to the stock market. The message was that the plan simply could not fail and this was a flawed and misleading sales pitch.

The FSA have devised a scheme that allows endowment policyholders to make a formal complaint about possible misselling. The rules allow for such a complaint to be made once a “warning” letter has been received from the endowment provider indicating that the plan will more than likely fail to meet the projected target amount (this is known as a policy shortfall). If the complaint is upheld, the endowment provider or the salesman / selling organization must make an offer of compensation to the customer. The average compensation award is thought to be in the region of £5000. Whilst it is possible for customers to complain personally, the FSA process is regrettably complex and many customers will need assistance from “professional claims handlers” in order to pursue their complaint effectively. Many endowment providers corrupt the process by using technical jargon and complex rules. They have also introduced “Time barring” arguments which have been allowed by the FSA. The rule here is that you have generally three years from the date of your first warning letter to make your complaint. This serves to confuse customers and many complaints that are pursued direct without professional assistance will simply fail. The majority of customers do not even bother to complain because of the complexities involved.

Summary: Thanks to consumer groups and professional claims handling bodies the UK’s endowment misselling scandal is gathering a head of steam and victims are now more aware of the issues.

The important aspects for customers to remember are:

• You only have a limited amount of time to complain – 3 years from the date of your first letter from the endowment provider warning about a possible shortfall.

• You must complain now to ensure that any shortfall in the projected target value of your policy is recouped. You may not recover the full shortfall amount but your compensation will go some way to bridging the gap.

• You must also seek financial advice on your mortgage situation because if a shortfall has been highlighted, the endowment plan you have is NOT going to meet your mortgage debt on maturity

If you currently have an endowment mortgage policy you must act now to ensure that you and your family’s future remains secure. Be aware of the issues, be aware of the need to correct the misselling that you have been the victim of and most importantly be aware that only YOU can change the position that you now find yourself in.

For more information on making endowment compensation claims contact The Claims Connection managed by Winston Solicitors a regulated UK law firm.

Endowment Insurance Explained

Endowment Insurance Explained
by Joe Stewart

Similar to Term life insurance, Endowment insurance is also designed to cover the insured person for a specific period of time, however, that's what the similarities end. Endowment is more similar to Whole Life insurance except that an Endowment policy matures faster than Whole Life does.

An Endowment policy lasts for a specific period of time, for example, a 20 Year Endowment or an Endowment at 60 years. All that this means is that the policy will be paid off in that time frame. In a 20-year Endowment all of your premiums would be paid off in 20 years. In an endowment at 60 you only pay life insurance premiums until you're 60 years old, at which time your policy would be paid up in full. This makes Endowment much more expensive than regular Whole life insurance because you're taking an entire lifetime of premiums and compacting them into a short period of time. The shorter the period, the higher your premiums will be.

Endowment policies build cash value much faster than Whole Life policies do because you're paying your premiums out in a shorter period of time. During the period of coverage the insurance company will pay the beneficiary of the policy the face value in the event of the death of the person insured. If that person does not die during the specified period of the Endowment, then the owner of the policy will receive the face value when the policy reaches maturity. The cash value and face value will both equal the same amount when the policy matures.

The main purpose of owning an Endowment policy is so you can acquire a rapid buildup of funds over a short period of time. These funds can be used for any purpose needed. Endowment policies are not nearly as popular as they used to be.

Joe Stewart is a webmaster and former life and health insurance agent.

The Cure For Outdated Endowment Policy: Repayment Remortgages

The Cure For Outdated Endowment Policy: Repayment Remortgages
by Amanda Thompson

If bulls and the bears of the stock market have no effect on your mortgage plan then you must apply for endowment to repayment remortgage. An endowment mortgage is a financial product offered mainly in the UK. Endowment mortgage comprise of an interest only loan secured on your mortgage and an investment in the stock market. As against an ordinary repayment mortgage, the customer pays only the interest on the capital. The balance goes into the endowment fund. This stock oriented mortgage policy was workable in the context of stock boom of the 1980s and 1990s. At the end of the mortgage term, it seemed plausible that the investment would pay off the capital. But present day market status is unreliable and fails to make endowment mortgage a much sorted out plan. In recent years it is appropriate to revolutionize your endowment mortgage to repayment remortgage.

Remortgage is highly misunderstood for over the time we grow too comfortable in our mortgage policy. Holders of endowment mortgage are urged take up repayment remortgage so as to forestall the risk of being in huge debts once your mortgage matures. This you might shun as a possibility. But it is a very functional possibility. Why remortgage? If that is your query! Then you need to read more about your endowment mortgage. Repayment remortgage is very essential because endowment remortgage suffers from two major problems – shortfall and mis-selling.

Most consumers did not realize that their endowment mortgage could not reach its desired target. The risk of shortfall in endowment mortgage is a very strong vote in favour of repayment mortgage. Endowment policy is not an appropriate mortgage for everyone. So, if you have been sold an endowment mortgage without making you aware of the risk involved then perhaps you have been mis-sold their endowment policy. Any of these condition calls for fast action in favour of repayment remortgage.

The trends in the stock market are unanticipated. You never know when the wind changes the direction and you might not be able to repay your mortgage. This could mean capitulation of your endowment policy. Before this effects your credit status get a repayment remortgage. Mortgage is secured loan keeps your property as a compensation of the loan. Under no circumstances you can risk the possession of your property by giving consent to an incompatible mortgage deal. Remortgage to a repayment mortgage is definitely a much more dependable option. The monthly payment of repayment remortgage pays both the loan amount and the interest. As long as you don’t falter with making your repayments at remortgage, you will be able to forfeit your remortgage completely by the end of the loan term.

The remuneration with repayment remortgage is bounteous. The wavering of the stock market will no longer amount to your cause of concern. You will continue to enjoy all the benefits of your policy with a repayment remortgage. Endowment mortgage frequently fails to accumulate any funds and prove to be expensive than a repayment remortgage. The major disadvantage with endowment mortgage is that if you stop paying for your premium in the early years, the cash in value of endowment policy is very low. Selling the policy would mean loosing all the money that you have paid in form of premium. This makes endowment mortgage a very inflexible mortgage. By selecting a repayment remortgage over endowment mortgage you will have enough money and would not have to rely on other sources. By opting for repayment remortgage your claim for endowment compensation will not be exacted.

For all the twenty to twenty five years of your mortgage, you can’t keep on checking the stock market news in a hope that it may illustrate an affirmative after effect. You have exhausted enough money like that. Your money deserves a convalescent capitalization. You ought to have a repayment remortgage. Security, that your mortgage will be paid off, is the primary achievement of repayment remortgage which is not offered by endowment mortgage. Living in constant fear is not a recompense that will avoid you from trading your endowment policy for repayment remortgage. Indubitably, your monthly outgoings with repayment remortgage will the higher but there will be contentment which is our constant endeavour in every enterprise.

Amanda Thompson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from CPIT and has completed her master’s in Business Administration from IGNOU. She is as cautious about her finances as any person reading this is. She works for the personal loan web site www.chanceforloans.co.uk

Introduction to Endowment Life Insurance Policies

Introduction to Endowment Life Insurance Policies
by Barry Waxler

Endowment Life Insurance Policies pay the full cash amount to your beneficiary should you happen to die unexpectedly. The good news is that they pay the full cash amount to you if you should happen to live.

The Endowment Life Insurance Policy was developed as a method of combining two different and important functions of sound personal financial management. The two functions are savings and risk management. Both functions are considered essential elements of a good financial plan, so it was rather natural to find a way to combine them.

The Endowment Life Insurance Policy works by requiring a rather larger than normal premium payment. This premium payment can be paid in many different ways including a single lump sum payment although it is normally paid much the same as a regular insurance premium. The premium payments are invested and during the duration of the policy continue to build cash value. The cash value continues to grow until a specified maturity date when the entire cash value is paid to the policy holder.

If the policy holder should happen to die during the life of the policy, the final value of the endowment, or the target value that would have been paid at maturity, is paid as a death benefit to the policy holder’s beneficiary. This makes Endowment Life Insurance Policies savings accounts that double as Life Insurance.

It is possible in certain Endowment Life Insurance Policies to exercise control over the investment choices. It is also possible to withdraw funds from the policy before the maturity date. Of course, the early withdrawals, called surrender values, may be much less than the true value of the policy should it be held to maturity. However, it is still possible to take the surrender value if economic necessity requires it. Another option is to sell the Endowment Policy to a third party.

There is a market for Endowment Life Insurance Policies. The market is made possible by the fact that surrender values are often so much less than the maturity values. The purchaser pays a bit more than the surrender value and assumes the premium payments and beneficiary rights of the policy. The purchaser’s investment will be recouped when the Endowment reaches maturity. Endowment Life Insurance Policies suffered a decline during the 1970’s and 1980’s as other forms of savings and investment became more popular and profitable. Today, the interest rates have made them attractive again and worth investigating as an Insurance option.

What is Endowment Insurance?

What is Endowment Insurance?
by Steve Sterling

In Life Insurance, by Dan McGill, 1967 Edition, we read, “from the standpoint of structure, it may be said that an endowment policy is a combination of pure or level term insurance and a pure endowment. The same description may be applied to a whole life policy, which is simply a combination of term insurance for a period extending to age one hundred and a pure endowment for the same term.”

Barron’s Dictionary of Insurance Terms by Harry W. Rubin, third edition, 1991 defines PURE ENDOWMENT as “Life insurance policy under which its face value is payable only if the insured survives to the end of the stated endowment period.”

The Handbook of Insurance by Clyde J. Crobough, 1931, speaks of the attributes of endowment insurance: “Some of the special merits of the endowment policy may be summarized briefly: 1. Is a method of compulsory saving. 2. Combines protection and investment. 3. Helps to create funds for special objectives which the policyholder may use.”

Endowment life insurance policies have been rarely used in the last ten years. Prior to this, they were popular as a savings mechanism at many life insurance companies. Today, annuities and or universal life have replaced endowments as a popular concept. However currently, endowment life insurance policies seem to be making a comeback. More and more insurers have been offering these policies to satisfy various life insurance and income tax needs. The advantage of an endowment life insurance policy over a tax-deferred annuity is that upon passing to the beneficiary, income tax on the interest earned will have to be paid on the annuity but not on endowment life insurance policy.

Dale M. Krause is a National Medicaid Crisis Planning Specialist with Krause Financial Services, Inc. Mr. Krause’s educational credentials include a B.S. degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Wisconsin; a J.D. degree from Thomas Cooley Law School, of Lansing, Michigan; and, an LL.M. in Taxation from DePaul College of Law, of Chicago, Illinois.

Mr. Krause is also a member of the Wisconsin and Michigan Bars, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Inc., Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups, Institute of Elder Planning Studies, International Association For Financial Planning, The Financial Planning Association, Society of Financial Service Professionals, Fidelity Advisor Council, and is a licensed insurance agent and stockbroker. Mr. Krause is a regular speaker at continuing legal education forums throughout the United States. Dale M. Krause, J.D., LL.M. KRAUSE FINANCIAL SERVICES 1120 Red Wing Trail, De Pere, WI 54115 Telephone: (866) 605-7437 Fax: (866) 605-7438 E-mail: dalekrause@insurance-endowment.com Website: www.insurance-endowment.com

Are You Missing Out On Endowment Shortfall Compensation?

Are You Missing Out On Endowment Shortfall Compensation?
by Keith Lunt

Millions of pounds of compensation have been paid out by insurance companies. Are you entitled to a share? Could a claim now help to get your mortgage repayments back on track for the future? But you must act quickly - insurance companies are only allowing claims for a limited time.

If you took out an endowment insurance policy with an interest only mortgage after April 1988, it is highly likely you were one of the millions of victims of Endowment Misselling.

It is possible that you have received a letter from your endowment company warning you that your endowment investment is not on track to pay off your mortgage and advising you to find alternative means to pay off your mortgage. This is called a "Red Letter" and from the date this is sent you only have three years to claim compensation.

If you were told the policy would certainly pay off your mortgage or were promised an extra lump sum at the end of the mortgage or have had to make extra contributions to keep it on track, then it's likely that you could successfully claim.

Endowment policies should have been sold to customers willing to accept the risks involved with them. If you are normally a careful or cautious investor then a less riskier repayment mortgage would possibly have been better for you. There always was a risk that your endowment would not cover the mortgage, but had you known about that risk at the time would you have still taken out a policy?

If the answer is "no", then you should not have bee sold the policy - you are a victim of misselling. Instead of an interest only mortgage, you should have been offered a standard repayment mortgage.

Finding out whether a claim is worthwhile progressing is quite painless - just contact a suitable solicitor. Many have tools on their websites that will quickly allow you to determine whether a claim might succeed and this, as well as talking to the solicitor is normally free.

If you might have a claim the solicitor will help you through the paperwork and deal with the insurance company for you. They will also check your compensation and make sure that the offer is correct.

If you want to know whether you can claim, look at www.endowment-claim.org.uk. It only takes a minute to find out the answer or you can just leave your contact details and someone will call you back.

Keith Lunt runs several financial sites including www.endowment-claim.org.uk.

What You Need To Know About Endowments and Endowment Shortfalls

What You Need To Know About Endowments and Endowment Shortfalls
by David Miles

Endowments and endowment mortgages have received a lot of bad press in recent years, amid concerns over falling policy values and accusations of endowment miss-selling.

This article attempts to answer some of the questions and concerns you may have about the way endowments work, what's happening to them, and what you can do to ensure your mortgage is paid off at the end of the term if you have an endowment mortgage.

What is an endowment mortgage?

There are two basic types of mortgage. The first is a repayment mortgage, where you make one monthly payment to the lender which is part interest and part repayment of the original capital.

Then there are interest-only mortgages, where your monthly payment to the lender is just the interest on the original loan and the mortgage debt remains unchanged. You then make separate payments into an investment scheme (such as an endowment), with the idea being that at the end of the mortgage term this investment will have grown sufficiently to repay the mortgage.

An online mortgage calculator can give you an idea of the difference in payments to your lender between an interest-only mortgage and a repayment mortgage.

Interest-only endowment mortgages were very popular in the 1980s and 1990s and were often chosen in the belief that the endowment would end up being large enough to clear the mortgage and still leave a tidy sum of money left over as a bonus.

How do endowments work?

An endowment is a long-term savings policy, typically running for ten to twenty-five years. An endowment plan has what is known as a "sum assured" value. If the policyholder dies during the life of the endowment, it pays out the sum assured. In the case of endowments linked to mortgages, the sum assured is equal to the size of the mortgage. The payout in the event of the death of the policyholder is guaranteed but, if the policyholder survives, the final value of the endowment at the end of its term is not guaranteed.

Endowments can be unit linked, which means that you buy units in a fund, or they can be "with profits".

How does money grow in a with profits endowment?

There are two ways in which a with profits endowment can increase in value. Firstly, the insurance company may add a bonus to your policy each year. This is known as a reversionary bonus and is usually a percentage of the amount of profit made by the fund over the previous years.

The amount added in this way may only be a small amount. However, once added, these bonuses cannot be taken away - hence the name reversionary bonus - and will belong to you when the policy matures.

Then there is the terminal bonus. This is a separate sum of money which the insurance company can add to your endowment policy when it matures. These terminal bonuses are discretionary and may not be applied at all.

What are the advantages of with profits endowments?

The idea of a with profits endowment is to smooth out fluctuations in the stockmarket.

With a non-with profits endowment, your investment is linked 100% to the stockmarket. Therefore, there is always the possibility that the investment value could fall just at the time when you need the money.

By using with profits endowments, insurance companies get round this problem by giving you a slightly smaller percentage of any fund growth as an annual bonus and try to smooth out future annual bonus declarations.

The point of this is to try to ensure that, no matter what happens to the returns of the fund, you are guaranteed a certain minimum amount when then endowment policy matures.

Why don't you get the entire year's gains as a bonus?

On the one hand, the insurance companies and their fund managers want you to have as much security as possible - hence the reversionary bonuses which cannot be taken away at a later date.

On the other hand, they are also trying to maximise long-term growth by investing your money in stocks and shares, property, gilts, and cash. All of these involve a degree of risk.

What is the problem with endowments?

Anyone taking out an endowment policy, whether on a with profits or unit linked basis, has to be given a written illustration by the insurance company of how much the policy might be worth at maturity. When providing these illustrations, insurers have to make an assumption as to the rate of growth per annum that will apply to the money you are paying into the endowment. This assumed rate is known as the projected rate, and there is no guarantee that this rate will be met in reality.

Until a few years ago, the projections were usually based on a mid-range growth rate of 7.5% per annum. In the early 1980s, the assumed growth rates used in the illustrations were even higher. Therefore, the monthly endowment premiums were low by today's standards, because they were set to reflect these high projected growth rates.

Interest rates and other economic factors, such as stock market growth and interest rates, are much lower now than they were in the 1980s and 1990s, so it has now been necessary to reduce projected rates of growth for people taking out a new endowment policy today. As a result, the monthly premiums for a new endowment policy today will be higher than they were in previous decades.

How does this affect existing policyholders?

Because actual growth rates have been lower than the projected 7.5% rate, an endowment policy taken out in the 1980s or 1990s may now not be worth enough at maturity to pay off the interest-only mortgage to which it is linked.

Insurance companies are therefore assessing the state of people's policies and contacting them to advise what action they should take now to avoid a potential shortfall at the end of their mortgage.

How will I be affected?

In most cases, if you took out a with-profits endowment in the mid-1980s or earlier, the fund should be sufficient at maturity to pay off the mortgage. This is because the money in your endowment policy will have benefited from the higher rates of interest and better stock market growth of the 1980s.

But, the shorter the length of time your endowment has been running, the greater the potential for a shortfall at maturity.

It is impossible to predict exactly how large this shortfall may be, as so much depends on future fund performance between now and the time when your endowment matures. Insurance companies are trying to assess the issue by looking at how much has been accumulated in your fund so far and making more conservative estimates about future growth.

What can I do now?

There are a number of options:

• 1. You can increase payments into your existing endowment policy (subject to Inland Revenue rules), or take out additional endowment policy with the same insurer or a different insurer. However, you may decide you don't want to be tied into another endowment.

• 2. You can ask to extend the term of your endowment policy, subject to your mortgage lender agreeing. This is probably not a good idea if it means your policy would continue beyond your retirement age.
  

• 3. You can set up an additional investment, such as an individual savings account (ISA). An ISA may be cheaper and can offer a wide range of investment choices to suit your attitude to risk.
  

• 4. You can ask your mortgage lender to switch part of your mortgage (equivalent to the projected shortfall on your endowment) to a repayment mortgage. You can get an idea of the costs of the new repayment part of your mortgage by using an online mortgage calculator.
  

• 5. You can use any other spare lump sum to pay off part of your mortgage. You will need to check first to see if this would make you liable for any early redemption penalties from your lender.
  

Which is the best option?

Everyone's situation is different, and everyone has their own particular preferences. If you are unsure what to do, you should take professional mortgage advice to help you review your options and come to a decision as to what to do.

Should I just cash in my endowment?

This would almost certainly be a mistake. Many endowment policies are structured such that the management charges are highest in the early years. If you surrender the policy early on, the amount you get back may well be less than the amount you have paid in up until now.

Also, you need to bear in mind that a large proportion of the final value of a with profits endowment depends on its terminal bonus. The size of this bonus will not be known until the policy matures.

So, the best strategy is normally to keep the endowment in place. If you need to cut down on your monthly outgoings, you can leave a policy "paid up" (although you may incur penalties for doing this). This means that you do not pay any more money into the endowment, but leave it to mature on the original date for a lower amount. If you do this, you will need to make sure you still have sufficient life cover to protect your mortgage.

It is possible to sell endowment policies on the second-hand endowment market. The amount you get will depend on the policy and how long it has left to run. Again, this is an area where you would be well-advised to talk to a professional before taking any action.

David Miles is the editor of a number of personal finance websites including UK Mortgages & Remortgages and The Cash Clinic - a UK Personal Finance Portal.

Please note that this article is for general guidance only and does not constitute financial advice. You should seek professional advice with respect to your own specific circumstances.

Mortgage endowments: What is the problem?

Mortgage endowments: What is the problem?

Because of stock market conditions, many endowment policies taken out in the 1980s and 1990s are unlikely to pay out the amounts originally estimated. So if you’re using your endowment policy to pay off a mortgage, it may not pay out enough to do so.

If you have an endowment policy, you should have received regular letters over the last few years telling you whether your policy is on track to repay your mortgage. These are called reprojection letters.

They tell you:

• whether your policy is still on track to pay out the amount needed to repay your mortgage at the end of the term;
  
• the amount of projected shortfall, if any;
  
• the options open to you; and
  
• what further action you need to take.
  

If you haven't received a reprojection letter, contact your policy provider and ask for one. If you have received a reprojection letter, make sure you read it and take action if you need to.

If there is a high or significant risk that your policy is not on track to repay your mortgage (so the reprojection letter is either red or amber), this section tells you what you can do about it.

Mortgage: Do You Have An Endowment Policy?

Mortgage: Do You Have An Endowment Policy?
by David Carter

Do you have an endowment policy that you hope will eventually pay off your mortgage? If you do there is a very good chance that it might not be sufficient to repay your mortgage at the end of its natural term. If you have been reading the financial press you may already know this.

And if you have recently received a Red Letter from your endowment mortgage lender then you will already certainly know! So what do you do now? You must act promptly to ensure you can meet the potential shortfall when your endowment matures.

That's the really bad news, but the good news is that it is not too late to do something major about it, but you need to act quickly.

You may be unhappy with the way your policy was sold to you in the first place, and you would be in good company if you were, as hundreds of thousands of people have been and are taking steps against their endowment company. If this applies to you too, you do have a right to make a complaint, providing that you do something about it and complain within three years of receiving your first Red Letter. If you don't complain within that time, then your complaint may be rejected out of hand, no matter how justified your case may be, hence the urgency.

So who should you complain to? In Great Britain you need to complain to the company or person (perhaps a financial advisor) who sold you the policy in the first place and this may well be different from the company that actually issued the endowment policy. Explain your situation and tell them that you wish to make a formal complaint. They should then give you an official complaints procedure that you should follow.

In Britain you can also discuss the matter with the Citizen's Advice Bureau and you can visit their website at www.citizensadvice.org.uk or you can try the Financial Services Authority, their web site is www.fas.gov.uk/consumer.

Unlike the Citizen's Advice Bureau the FSA cannot give you one-to-one personal advice, but as the official regulator of all financial services companies within the United Kingdom, they will provide you with detailed fact sheets explaining how to tackle the problem, and a great deal of other information too.

If you reside outside the United Kingdom and suspect you have the same problem, the first thing you must do is to check if the endowment policy you have will be sufficient to cover your mortgage when it matures. If you find that it isn't, then make sure that you do something about it now before it is too late, and thus ensure that you don't have a serious problem somewhere further down the line.

David Carter’s latest published work is SPLAM! Successful Property Letting And Management. Splam! Contains over 240 pages of hints and tips on how to start your own property business on a limited budget, and how to successfully let residential property. You can view actual extracts of the book at http://www.splam.co.uk and order a download or hard copy at this site. He also runs a holiday cottage website where you can access over 7,000 cottages, apartments and villas worldwide at http://www.pebblebeachmedia.co.uk.

Mortgage: The Mortgage Types And Repayment Options

Mortgage: The Mortgage Types And Repayment Options
by James Copper

Unfortunately in recent years mortgages have become increasingly complex and wrapped up in technical jargon. Borrowers now need to consider at least two things, the type of mortgage loan they want and how they are going to repay it. Have a look at your options below.

• Types Of Mortgages
  

Variable Rate Mortgage

Rates on these loans fluctuate in line with general interest rates but because they are at the lenders discretion they dont necessarily move as far, or as fast. Discounts are usually offered to new borrowers in the early years.

Tracker Mortgage

Rates on tracker loans are normally linked directly to movements in the Bank of England base rate. The link may be for a limited period rather than the life of the mortgage.

Cashback Mortgage

When these loans are granted, cash payments are given to borrowers to spend how they like. They are typically between 6 per cent and 8 per cent of the loan.

Fixed Rate Mortgage

Rates of interest on these loans are guaranteed not to change for a specified period, typically the first three to five years of the mortgage.

Capped Rate Mortgage

With this type of loan, the interest rate is guaranteed not to exceed a fixed level during the capped-rate period. The advantage is that it can go down if rates are cut.

• Repayment Methods
  

Repayment Mortgage

Also known as capital and interest mortgages because part of the monthly payments gradually pays off the loan while the remainder covers the interest on the amount outstanding.

Offset Mortgage

These loans are taken out in conjunction with a current account or savings account. Regular mortgage repayments are required but at the same time the cash in the other accounts helps to reduce the loan, thereby saving interest. This can help to speed up repayment of the mortgage.

Interest Only Mortgage

As its name implies, the borrower pays the interest only on the loan during the mortgage term so the capital remains outstanding. Payments may also be made into a savings scheme, such as an Individual Savings Account, to repay the capital at the end of the term. Sometimes the loan is repaid out of the sale proceeds of the property.

Endowment Mortgage

This is where an interest-only loan is combined with a life assurance with-profits policy intended to pay out a sufficient sum to clear the mortgage at the end of the term. But endowment policy payouts are not guaranteed and many are currently expected to produce shortfalls.

• What You Need To Look Out For
  

Arrangement Fees

Most lenders nowadays charge you for the work involved in setting up a mortgage or to reserve a loan at a particular rate. The amounts can vary considerably between lenders. Paying more doesnt always get you a better deal.

High Lending Charge

If you are borrowing more than 90 per cent of the property value, check to see whether you will be charged an extra fee. This is to protect the lender in case you fail to keep up the payments, but not all of them make this charge.

Insurance

Some lenders will offer you a lower mortgage rate if you buy their home insurance products. They will also encourage you to take out their mortgage payment protection policy. It is usually better to shop around for the cheapest insurance deal.

Early Redemption Penalties

With mortgage special offers, fixed rate deals, etc, you will normally be charged a penalty if you pay off your loan within the offer period. In particular, try to avoid those loans with redemption penalties that extend beyond the end of the offer period as you will be stuck on the lenders standard variable rate.

Initial Disclosure Documents And Key Facts Illustration

Initial disclosure documents (IDDs) spell out mortgage advisers services, such as whether they can recommend products from one company only, or are free to sell mortgages from all lenders. Key facts illustrations (KFIs) are given to borrowers when they apply for or are recommended a mortgage. These outline the mortgages cost over its term, repayments, fees and an interest rate expressed as an annual percentage rate (APR).

Annual Percentage Rate

The APR tells prospective customers the interest rate over the life of the mortgage. This factors in any initial offer rate and then the lenders standard variable rate to which the mortgage reverts, as well as the impact of fees. The APR in the key facts document does not reflect that many mortgage borrowers switch to better deals than the lenders standard variable rate (SVR) after their initial offer expires. Neither does it include the potential costs on leaving the mortgage, such as administration fees and early repayment charges.

Standard Variable Rate

Because house prices are at a record high many people (probably including yourself) are now thinking of their mortgages in the long term as well as the upfront rate. For this reason it is worth knowing what current customers are paying. It is highly unlikely that when you come to the end of your fixed or discount rate period you will be on the same SVR as current customers. But you can use the information to see how the lender compares against others in the market.

James Copper enjoys writing on all areas of personal finance. He works for Any Loans who specialise in the Adverse Credit Remortgage and Adverse Credit Loans.

Mortgage: Understanding different mortgage types

Mortgage: Understanding different mortgage types

Mortgages should be straightforward - you borrow money to buy a house and pay interest on the loan.

But after a few enquiries, you soon realise that it's not so simple after all.

In a hugely competitive market, building societies and banks are continually updating and extending their range of mortgages. The list is already extensive enough to baffle all but the most determined.

The most important points are how you pay back the capital you borrow and how you pay the interest on it.

Paying back the capital

You can either pay a little at a time as you go (repayment mortgage) or pay it all off at the end (Interest only or endowment mortgages).

Repayment mortgages - Each monthly payment pays off a little of the underlying debt, as well as interest on the loan. At the end of the term the mortgage is cleared.

This is widely considered to be the most easy to understand and least risky mortgage type. But remember if you do not keep up with repayments the lender can repossess the property.

Interest only mortgages - With this type of mortgage, you pay-off the interest on the loan but not the capital. At the end of the mortgage term you are expected to repay the capital, how you fund this is your business.

Interest only mortgages have grown in popularity in recent years amongst buy-to-let investors and first-time buyers in particular because, put simply, they are cheaper than a repayment mortgage.

However, some experts are concerned that many people taking out an interest only mortgage are not giving enough thought as to how they will repay the capital.

Endowment Mortgages - You use an endowment policy to provide life insurance and save funds to repay the loan at the end of the term (usually 20-25 years).

If the investment performs badly, you could face a shortfall on your loan at the end of the repayment period. In the 1980s endowments were very popular and heavily marketed by lenders.

However, many people were not told of the investment risk. This was mis-selling and lenders faced huge claims for compensation.

As a result, endowment mortgages have declined sharply in popularity. Relatively few endowments are sold today but there are still millions of policies yet to mature.

Paying the interest

You have to pay interest on any debt, and mortgages are no different. They differ only in the range of options offered.

Variable rates - This means you pay the going rate on your loan. The mortgage rate changes every time interest rates change or, as in most cases, the overall effect of any interest rate changes is calculated once a year and payments are altered accordingly. Whatever kind of mortgage you start with, it is likely to change to variable rates at some point.

Fixed rates - The interest rate is fixed for the period agreed - often two to five years. These are ideal for budgeting or if you think rates might increase. You do not benefit if rates fall, and will face penalties if you try to quit.

Very low rates may tempt you, but they can be used to trap you into paying over the odds at a future date. Check how long you will have to stay with the lender before you can switch without penalty.

Capped rates - These are fixed, but if rates fall you pay the lower rate. Such deals can be a good for budgeting.

Cash back deals - This is when lenders offer money back if you take out a particular product. However, nothing comes free in life and cashback mortgages may be weighed down with hefty penalty charges if you later want to switch lender.

Discounted rates - Under this type of mortgage the borrower is offered a discount off the lender's variable rate. The rate paid will fluctuate in line with changes in the variable rate. The discount applies over a set term.

Key facts documents

Mortgage providers are now legally bound to present customers with a key facts document.

The Financial Services Authority (FSA), which regulates mortgages, says the key facts document should deliver clear, simple and user-friendly information to consumers about the mortgage offer.

The key facts document sets out the total cost of the loan - not just the headline interest rate - including any up-front fees.

Mortgage fees have been rising of late as providers reduce their headline annual percentage rates to attract new business.

Each new mortgage customer has to confirm that they have received the key facts before putting pen to paper.

Ten Key Questions
The government suggests mortgage customers should ask these 10 questions.

• How much can I afford to borrow?
  
• How can I tell which mortgage rate is best?
  
• What is the best type of mortgage for me?
  
• How should I repay it?
  
• Can I make lump sum payments?
  
• Are there any redemption penalties?
  
• Does this mortgage come with insurance?
  
• What other charges will I have to pay?
  
• What happens if I can't pay?
  
• What about the small print?

Mortgage: A Beginners' Guide to Mortgage (UK)

Mortgage: A Beginners' Guide to Mortgage (UK)
By Ann Gibson

The decision to mortgage house does not in any way show that you are not emotionally attached to your house. On the other hand, it was your concern for the house that restrained you from selling it. As compared to the sale of house, mortgage is a much better option. You continue holding the house and living there for as many years as you want.

The only problem however is that the loan provider has kept lien on home to himself, and keeps using it as a stick to exhibit what can be the consequences of being irregular on the mortgage repayments. In the worst of circumstances, when the borrower has not repaid the mortgage, the loan provider has the right to repossess home.

What can the borrower do in such circumstances? There is not much to do once the loan provider has made up his mind to repossess home. Recovering home from the loan provider in such cases will be much more costly.

A more effective solution to the problem would be to go by the rules. Continue paying as much has been decided between you and the loan provider, and try to be disciplined in repayments.

This isn’t as difficult a solution as most of us will think. The following illustration would make things clearer. For a person who earns a monthly income of ₤100, it will be difficult to pay ₤30 at a time. However, when he is required to pay ₤1 over a period of 30 months, it will be relatively easier. The monthly installment method of repaying mortgages uses the same concept. The borrower will be required to pay a monthly installment every month. This goes towards amortising the mortgage balance over the specified term.

There are other methods for paying off the mortgage too. Among the alternative methods, interest only mortgage repayment is the most important. An interest only mortgage repayment method allows borrower to pay only interest on the mortgage. Thus, at the end of the term the balance remaining unpaid is the amount actually taken. How the balance of the mortgage will be repaid at the end of the term will further categorise mortgages into pension mortgage and endowment mortgage.

Pension mortgage employs the pension for disbursing the unpaid mortgage balance. Normally 25% of the pension is available tax-free to every borrower. Pension is the result of contribution of the employer and the employees over the work life of the borrower. Thus, utilizing pension for repaying mortgage will not be much burdensome to the borrower.

Endowment method of paying off mortgages will utilize the amount saved by borrower in an endowment policy over a period. Since, the endowment policy will be invested in shares and stocks; there are chances of the endowment fund growing profitably. Similarly, there are chances of the endowment fund not faring properly and resulting in loss to the borrower.

Mortgages are commonly classified into three, depending on the borrower and the purpose for which it is being used. A first time buyer mortgage is for the borrowers who are buying house for the first time. Mortgage terms may differ for this kind of borrowers in order to incorporate the relative weakness of their finances. These borrowers become eligible for discounted rates of interest.

Another classification of mortgages is buy to let mortgage. Buy to let mortgage, as the name suggests will be for borrowers who already have a home and they want to use the new home for letting out on hire. A distinct feature of this type of mortgage is that the borrower will pay monthly installment through the rental received.

Finally, there are council right to buy mortgages. Council right to buy mortgage are for the people who have been living as council tenants. They have got an opportunity to buy the council home. Because of the lack of personal resources, they use the council right to buy mortgage.

Because of the home serving as collateral, interest rate is at an all time low on mortgages. Always seek a mortgage from prestigious loan providers in the UK. The quality of the mortgage deals arranged by them is excellent. Also, there is no fear of several additions to the mortgage in the form of extra fees.

We have always stressed on the need for good decision making on mortgages. Good decision making ensures that mortgage is safely repaid and the worst fear of losing home on repossession never comes true.

Loan borrowing is like once in a life time decision and much is at stake. It is indeed not a good thing that many people are misguided into taking loans that are not appropriate to their financial situation. This leads to many allied misgivings. As a financial consultant the only driving force of Ann Gibson is to provide proper knowledge. Because knowledge in respect to loan borrowing is power and exudes financial benefits.He works for mortgage web site cheapest mortgage uk.To find a cheapest mortgage,adverse credit mortgage, residential Mortgage that best suits your need please visit http://www.cheapestmortgageuk.co.uk

What to do with an endowment policy you no longer want

What to do with an endowment policy you no longer want

The question of whether or not you should cash in an endowment policy depends very much on your individual circumstances: for example, whether you are confident that you can repay your mortgage by other means - perhaps by trading down your property. Or perhaps you feel the money could be put to better use - either in other forms of investments or simply to pay for a world cruise.

An important point to remember is that if you surrender the policy, you will lose the life insurance cover, which could be quite costly to replace as you get older or if you are ill.

If you do decide in favour of cashing in your policy, the first step is to ask the insurance company for a surrender value. As well as giving you this information, it is obliged to tell you that there is a second-hand market available on which you may be able to sell your policy.

Selling on your policy might provide you with a sizeable premium above the surrender value, which is normally set at a low level because the insurance company is anxious to retain your money.

Once you have obtained the surrender value, the next step is to contact one - or several - of the companies dealing in second-hand policies. The Tep market has grown enormously in the past 20 years or so. Originally there was only one company that auctioned life policies, but during the 1980s a large number of private market makers were formed to buy and sell endowment policies directly, without going through the auction system.

During the stock market depression, demand for second-hand policies - as for most other investments - dropped to a low level, and the prices offered were often not much above - or even below - the surrender values.

In recent years, though, the Tep market has been transformed by a surge in demand, mainly from institutional investors and especially in Europe, where with-profit funds are not generally available. It is estimated that the market has a current annual turnover of £500m a year.

Institutions are attracted by having a "safe" core investment for their funds, with the prospect of a steady return, while private investors are drawn by the prospect of acquiring a ready-made investment with the bulk of the charges having already been paid in the early years. A Tep is a savings plan with a "lock in" value made up of the sum assured plus the accrued annual reversionary bonuses, which cannot be taken away. So there is little or no risk of losing money.

If you are lucky enough to pay less than the "lock in" value then you are guaranteed a profit. In most cases, investors are likely to pay a premium to the "lock in" value in the hope that over the years there will be sustained return over and above the premiums which are paid by the new owner of the policy.

Private investors can cover school and university fees - or provide additional retirement income - by buying several Teps maturing over a period of years. These can be cashed in using the investor's annual capital gains allowance, allowing the proceeds to be received tax-free.

One problem in terms of long-term planning is that if the original policyholder dies, the policy matures immediately. However, in most cases, the policy simply runs to maturity at a known date.

There are six main companies who are members of the Association of Policy Market Makers, which is regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and has code of conduct. They account for something like 95% of the total Tep market. There are also some smaller market makers not regulated by the FSA, who trade through independent financial advisers for compliance purposes.

Market makers claim that current demand for Teps considerably exceeds supply. They are confident that the expected huge flow of Standard Life policies can easily be absorbed, although a really large volume of extra sellers might result in a drop in the premium paid above the surrender value.

Currently, the average premium paid is between 5% and 15% above the surrender value, although it could be a lot higher for the "right" kind of policies: namely, those which are in most demand. Don't be fooled by any of the extravagant claims of premiums over 30%: that is most unusual.

The ratio of premium to surrender value varies considerably according to the size of the accumulated "lock in" value, the length of the policy until maturity, and the status of the insurance company. Normally, market makers insist that the policy has a surrender value of at least £3,000 and has been running for a period of five years. The highest premiums are paid for policies with 10 to 15 years to run before maturity.

Some market makers will only buy policies if they have a matching buyer. Others like to build up large portfolios of policies, providing a choice for potential buyers. All of them may turn their noses up at policies from insurance companies who are financially weak and may fail to provide a decent return. However, that is not the case with Standard Life, whose policies in the past have often earned an extra premium on the secondhand market.

It is definitely worth looking around for competitive offers because some market makers may have lots of potential buyers prepared to pay higher prices. Names of the different market makers can be easily obtained via the internet. You can obtain competitive price offers to get an idea of how much your policy is worth compared with the benchmark surrender value, and you do not have to commit yourself to sell.