lump sum payment http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for lump sum payment Copyright 2008 Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:13:21 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/lump+sum+payment What Are Balloon Payments And What They Mean For The Real Estate Investor? http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-are-balloon-payments-and-what-they-mean-for-the-real-estate-investor http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-are-balloon-payments-and-what-they-mean-for-the-real-estate-investor#comments Fri, 02 May 2008 00:21:24 +0000 real estate investorballoon paymentballoon loanballoon paymentsinvestor moneymortgage lenderspayment mortgage http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-are-balloon-payments-and-what-they-mean-for-the-real-estate-investor mortgage lenders offer what is called a loan, and this loan is a little different than the typical mortgage loan. These loans require one or more in addition to the regular monthly payments. A balloon payment is a large lump sum that is due all at once, whether there is one balloon payment made at the end of the or several balloon payments that are spaced out over set intervals of time. These loans are normally used for mortgages, but can be used for auto or personal loans as well.

There are a few disadvantages to a balloon loan, one of the most obvious being the large lump sum that is due at once. For a who can not budget or does not sell the property when expected, then the balloon payment may become a problem. Some loans may allow for the balloon payment to be converted into a more traditional loan, but this should be verified with the lender before investing in the real estate if there is any doubt about the ability to make the balloon payment. If this option is not allowed by the lender and you can not make the balloon payment then it is possible you could lose the investment property to the balloon loan provider.

There are several advantages to using a balloon payment loan when investing in real estate. One of these advantages is that there is normally a substantially smaller down payment required for these loans than a standard loan. Another great advantage of a balloon payment loan is a lower monthly payment each month in compensation for the large balloon payment due. There is also a lower interest rate that is fixed for the life of the loan. For a real estate investor this means less money out of pocket to start and again each month, and this money can be wisely invested instead. For an investor who plans to sell the property before the balloon payment is due at the end, a balloon may save thousands of dollars in interest and monthly payments for the investor. Money saved is the same as money earned, and your savings can be invested to make an even better return on your investment. It is not a good idea to invest money saved by using a balloon payment mortgage in any high risk venture, however, until after the balloon payment is paid off to avoid any chance of a loan default by not making the required balloon payment.

Whether you use a balloon payment mortgage or not is something that you should consider very carefully before deciding. The rewards for a real estate investor who takes out a balloon payment mortgage can be very good, but the risks can cost the entire investment if you do not have the capital to make the balloon payment. You should only use a balloon payment loan if you know that there is going to be a large lump sum available to make the big payment, or if you are a good investor who can put aside small amounts each month so that the capital is there when the big payment becomes due.

Copyright =A9 2007 Joel Teo. All rights reserved. (You may publish this article in its entirety with the following author's information with live links only.) Joel Teo writes on various financial topics including Las Vegas Real Estate. Learn more about Las Vegas Real Estate Investing at http://www.realestateinvestment101.info ]]> Whole Life Insurance http://www.artwoo.com/article/whole-life-insurance http://www.artwoo.com/article/whole-life-insurance#comments Sat, 15 Apr 2006 09:50:05 +0000 term life insurancelump sum paymentcgtinheritance taxinsurance coverpeace of mindterminate http://www.artwoo.com/article/whole-life-insurance lump sum payment is guaranteed upon death of the insured life, regardless of what age death occurs at. This means that unlike where a lump sum payment upon death is only guaranteed to a certain age, whole life policies can be relied upon to make a lump sum payment that is free from any age restrictions. What's more, whole life policies can even be configured so life age continues after payments of whole life premiums stop.

The advantages of whole life insurance

Without a doubt whole life insurance is the most comprehensive type of life insurance available. If you want the that your family and dependants are financially secure once you leave this earth - and you want that peace of mind GUARANTEED - then a whole life policy will rise to the challenge. Some life insurance companies will even allow you to link a critical illness policy to your whole life insurance, enabling you and your family to receive the benefit of your whole life lump sum before you die.

Whole life insurance offers a host of other advantages too...

Tax exemption: The lump sum paid out upon death is exempt from income tax and also from capital gains tax (). If the whole life policy is legally placed in trust then your family / dependants will have no to pay either.

Inflation linked: Whole life policies can be index linked to inflation. This means that the sum insured will not devalue over time.

Continuous insurance cover: It is possible to arrange your whole life cover to be fully paid-up by a certain age limit, after which life insurance cover continues until death without any further payment contributions being needed. This means that you can arrange to insurance payments when you retire or before, easing the burden on your personal cash flow in later years. Naturally, the earlier you terminate payments then the higher the monthly life insurance premium will be.

The disadvantages of whole life insurance

Does whole life insurance sound too good to be true? If it does then you'll want to know the catch...and the catch is the cost! Whole life policies are not cheap, in fact they are the most expensive form of life insurance available. Even a young healthy individual who does not smoke should expect to pay several times more than the premium amount on a standard term life insurance policy. For the less healthy individual, the premiums will be even higher.

Furthermore, most life insurance companies require whole life applicants to undergo a medical before the life insurance is underwritten. Whole life policyholders may also be subject to premium reviews at regular intervals throughout the life of the policy. Gary Tallon is an established http://www.powerinsurance.com author and is currently working with http://www.unitedlife.co.uk/cheap-uk-life-insurance.html companies. ]]> What Is A Flexible Mortgage? http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-a-flexible-mortgage http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-a-flexible-mortgage#comments Thu, 01 Nov 2007 18:24:59 +0000 mortgage interest ratemortgage termflexible mortgagemortgage paymentlump sum paymentlump sum paymentssavings account http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-a-flexible-mortgage flexible mortgage is a secured loan, which can be paid back in differing amounts while providing access to the housing equity (within pre-agreed limits).

There are five key features with a flexible mortgage: the ability to pay the mortgage off early through overpayments or s, the ability to borrow money back by withdrawing lump sums, making underpayments, and having payment holidays. A flexible mortgage gives you more control than with a traditional type of mortgage, and the overpayment feature can significantly save money on your mortgage, for example:

Example 1: =A3140,000 mortgage, interest rate 6%, 25 years.

Monthly was =A3902 and increased by =A350 to =A3952 =96 the overall cost saved would be =A316,193 and the adjusted mortgage term would be 22.2 years.

Example 2: =A3100,000 mortgage, interest rate 7%, mortgage term 30 years.

Monthly mortgage payment was =A3665 and increased by =A350 to =A3715 =96 the overall cost saved would be =A331,193 and the adjusted mortgage term would be 24.2 years

can also make a significant difference to your mortgage. For example, =A3150,000 mortgage, interest rate 7%, mortgage term 25 years =96 if you made a =A310,000 lump sum payment after 5 years of having the mortgage, the interest saved would be =A326,576.81 and the time saved would be 2 years and 10 months. If you made the =A310,000 lump sum payment after 1 year of having the mortgage, the interest saved would be =A336,949.05 and the time saved would be 3 years and 8 months (all figures are approximate).

Two additional reasons for making overpayments on your debt with a flexible mortgage are:

Save interest =96 the interest charged on your mortgage is normally higher than the average . Consequently, it is better to pay off your mortgage with an interest rate of 6.9%, than putting your money into a savings account with an interest rate of 4.3%.

Reduce the capital debt =96 all the extra payments reduce the capital debt rather than just paying the interest on your flexible mortgage; in the beginning, up to 95% of your monthly mortgage payments goes on paying the interest and only a small amount of your monthly payment is paid on the capital debt.

A flexible mortgage can be tailored to a borrower's lifestyle and needs as there are different types of flexible mortgages in the market place. Some flexible mortgages can be quite restrictive with no underpayment facility and limited access to overpayments, whereas another type of flexible mortgage can give enormous scope for borrowers' to deposit and withdraw sums of any amount at any time.

A flexible mortgage has a higher interest rate than a conventional mortgage, but the key selling point for a flexible mortgage is the longer-term savings on interest that can be made by making overpayments and lump sum payments to get ahead in the repayment schedule, thus paying off the mortgage early. In a recent survey of borrowers' who had a flexible mortgage: 32% had used the overpayment facility, and 90% who had overpaid would do so again. 51% who had not made overpayments were planning to do so in the future. 69% of borrowers' who had made overpayments had been doing so for more than six months, and 87% intended to continue overpaying until the mortgage was paid off. Most overpayers looked upon overpayments as a long-term plan for clearing their mortgage debt and saving money in the long run.

Although the flexible mortgage is a fairly new type of mortgage on the market, it is becoming an increasingly popular choice for borrowers', and lenders predict that the flexible mortgage will become more accommodating for borrowers'. For more information, visit http://www.offsetmortgagecentre.co.uk ]]> Getting Money From A Reverse Mortgage http://www.artwoo.com/article/getting-money-from-a-reverse-mortgage http://www.artwoo.com/article/getting-money-from-a-reverse-mortgage#comments Sat, 21 Oct 2006 04:27:03 +0000 reverse mortgagelump sumhome improvementstom atkinsmoneyoccasional contributorfinance journal http://www.artwoo.com/article/getting-money-from-a-reverse-mortgage reverse mortgage allows homeowners over the age of 62 to cash in on the equity of their home.The homeowner can use these funds in anyway they want.Some have used the for extended term care or .Homeowners usually run into very little difficulty in securing these funds.The funds are practically free because with the exception of the fees, more than likely, the mortgages will not be paid back over the course of the homeowner's life.

There are several payment options to choose when receiving funds from a reverse mortgage. In most cases you can choose one or more of them based on your needs.

* Getting your money in a : Most often the money from a reverse mortgage is paid in a lump sum. You will receive one payment which equals the value of your home.

* Getting a specific amount paid over the course of a number of years: With this option the homeowner will receive payments over a specific course of time, 10 years for example. This could be a great help in managing funds over a period of time.

* Getting a specific amount paid to the homeowner every month until they die or permanently move out of their home: Receiving monthly payments gives the homeowner a sense of security in knowing that their money will not run out before they die.

* Getting a line of credit. Funds can be provided as a line of credit and be paid back to the lender. A specific amount could be taken out to make repairs or to pay a bill as the funds are needed.

Getting the right type of terms for your needs is totally up to you.Give thought to what your needs are, how much funding is required and how soon you will need the funds. Some homeowners have gotten a lump sum and transferred it into a savings account until needed. The funds are yours and you can do whatever you want to with it with no restrictions. is a staff writer at http://www.finance-journal.com and is an to several other websites, including http://www.debt-journal.com. ]]> Advice For Choosing Your Life Insurance Payments http://www.artwoo.com/article/advice-for-choosing-your-life-insurance-payments http://www.artwoo.com/article/advice-for-choosing-your-life-insurance-payments#comments Tue, 14 Nov 2006 04:27:04 +0000 life insurance policylife insurance agentlife insurance companieslife insurance policiesannuallyinevitable deathpayment option http://www.artwoo.com/article/advice-for-choosing-your-life-insurance-payments life insurance policy isn't required. Other than not wanting to think about , many people choose not to purchase a life insurance policy because they don't want to take on the extra payments for something they will not immediately use. Electric bills, for example, are less painful to pay every month. You use electricity every day. , on the other hand, are usually only used in case of a financial emergency or the death of the policyholder.

However, most offer the ability to make life insurance policy payments four different ways -- monthly, quarterly, semi-, and annually -- and your will be more than happy to offer advice about each .

Monthly

Sometimes making monthly payments on your life insurance policy is the best choice, simply because you have the money right then. However, if you pay monthly, you may actually end up paying more than you would if you paid quarterly, semi-annually, or annually, because many life insurance companies offer discounts for other payment options.

Quarterly

Quarterly payments are sometimes the most convenient option, because they allow you to save for a few months before sending payment.

Semi-annually

Semi-annual payments aren't quite as large as annual payments, yet they do offer the ability to save and pay twice a year.

Annually

Making annual payments on your life insurance policy in the form of one lump sum may leave a lump in your throat, but depending on the life insurance company, you may actually save money this way.

Whether you're considering purchasing a life insurance policy, or already have one, talk with your life insurance agent about life insurance policy payment options. While you may think one payment option is best for you, the advice your life insurance agent gives you may help you see that another payment option is actually better. http://www.ezquoteguide.com/home/ http://www.ezquoteguide.com/car/ http://www.myquoteguide.com/Term-Policy.shtml ]]> The Ins And Outs Of Loan Comparisons http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-ins-and-outs-of-loan-comparisons http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-ins-and-outs-of-loan-comparisons#comments Mon, 04 Jun 2007 03:34:55 +0000 best buycredit insurancenecessarily mean thatloan comparisoncredit life insurancecrucialcredit property insurance http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-ins-and-outs-of-loan-comparisons loan comparison for the there are several features to compare. The four most often overlooked, and perhaps the four most , are the terms of the loan, the youll need to take out for the loan, and whether there is a balloon payment and / or prepayment penalty included. Lets take a look at each of these four and see how they can impact your loan comparison.

Credit insurance is much like taking out life insurance with your creditor as beneficiary. What credit insurance does is ensure that if you should die, become disabled, lose your job or in any other way become unable to pay your loan the lender will be paid.

A loan comparison should not only include the cost of credit insurance but the type of insurance included and required. You might consider , credit disability insurance, or credit unemployment insurance, or a combination of one or more of these options. The credit insurance might pay your loan for its whole term or it might be designed as a short term recovery option.

You can buy credit insurance from your lending institution as a fee that is added on to each of your monthly loan payments, as a lump sum fee that is added to the total amount of the loan. In any loan comparison keep in mind that that lump sum fee will incur additional interest charges as well. Most of the time, however, the insured can cancel any of these credit insurance options at any point during the life of the loan.

No loan comparison should exclude a study of credit insurance. The determination that you need any of these insurance options, however, doesnt you should include them in your loan.

You might already have some of this protection in place with other policies or you just might find a better deal elsewhere. This is especially true if you talk to the carrier that is now insuring you for life, insurance, auto or any other type. Often when you package the various type of insurance your carrier discounts heavily.

Of course, no matter whom you pay the cost ultimately must be considered in any loan comparison. Just because it doesnt get paid to the lender or as part of your monthly loan payment doesnt mean that the coverage added elsewhere isnt the result of the loan.

The term of your loan is a crucial point when doing a loan comparison. The longer the time period you spend paying back your loan the more interest you will pay. The flip side of that is that if you take on a higher monthly payment to reduce the term of the loan you could end up unable to make the payments on a timely basis. If this happens the late fees could eat up the savings involved in signing for a shorter term.

In a balloon payment you generally make smaller monthly payments up until the end of the loan when you make one huge payment to finalize. While lower payments are great, there are plenty of folks who find that, despite their best efforts, they cant come up with the money for the balloon payment. When you do a loan comparison its best to avoid a balloon payment. James Copper manages Any Loans - http://www.any-loans.co.uk ]]> Mortgage Insurance - Your Friend Or Foe?? http://www.artwoo.com/article/mortgage-insurance-your-friend-or-foe http://www.artwoo.com/article/mortgage-insurance-your-friend-or-foe#comments Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:01:30 +0000 mortgage insurancetime home buyersfirst time home buyersneck of the woodstime home buyerfirst time home buyermortgage payment http://www.artwoo.com/article/mortgage-insurance-your-friend-or-foe mortgage insurance, even while getting 100-125% financing on their home. Now a lot of them are facing foreclosure and wished they had digged deeper to find out the pro's and con's of Mortgage Insurance. However, with the collapse of the subprime industry, anyone purchasing or refinance that are borrowing 80% Loan-to-Value are higher, don't have a choice and are required to get Mortgage Insurance.

What is the purpose of Mortgage Insurance? Simply put, this type of insurance will pay the lender back in the even the home owner defaults on the mortgage.

Now let's look at the benefits that mortgage insurance has to offer for the borrower. Mortgage insurance allow First s that don't have or don't want to put down a large 20% down payment but instead 3-5% down payment, while at the same time reducing the risk for the lender. Now that's a big chunk of change to keep in the borrower's pocket, which can be used towards closing cost, remodeling house, or an emergency fund etc. The average home price in my in Florida is about $200,000. So that means a would need to have at least $40,000 as a down payment, if they were considering buying a home and lets not forget there is closing cost associated with the loan, but I will leave that topic for another article.

Mortgage insurance is usually about 7% of the monthly payment, which also makes it an affordable option. Most lenders are flexible and allow the borrower a few different payment options such as, either adding it to your monthly , which seems to be the most common, or paying it in a lump sum which would be included in your closing cost at the time of closing and also the option to have it financed into the loan. I am seeing this last option of having the mortgage insurance financed into the loan become more popular recently, as it offers more tax benefits.

Now let's look at each option in greater detail.

- Monthly Mortgage Insurance Payment Option- You will pay this insurance premium each month, when you receive you monthly mortgage statement, it will have the following break down. Principal and Interest amount, tax, insurance, and mortgage insurance. You will be required to keep this insurance premium on the loan until the loan reaches a 78% loan to value and you have paid the loan on time for the last 12 month.

- The Lump Sum Option- this allow the borrowers to pay the full premium for the duration of the loan instead of monthly, and also some lenders now allow for this lump sum premium to be financed into the loan.

- Lender Paid Mortgage Insurance -- Typically what you will find in this situation is that the lender will charge a higher interest rate and in return cover the cost of the mortgage insurance premium. The benefits of this option are that this type of loan will come with lower out of pocket closing cost and great tax advantages.

Mortgage Insurance when properly understood is more a friend that a foe, and I see it everyday as south Florida home owners who face foreclosure, wished they had mortgage insurance on their side.

Mortgage Insurance has opened the doors for many cash strapped renters and has helped them realize the dream of home ownership. When choosing a mortgage whether it's for a purchase or refinance, it is important to work with a mortgage expert that can explain the different options that will benefit you the home owner.Marlon Baugh is a nationally-known mortgage expert. Since 2003, he has specialized in mortgage loans for people with Bankruptcies, Foreclosure or with other credit issues, as well as Commercial Mortgages. If you would like a Free Copy or to get instant access to the remainder of this Insider Mortgage Report, please visit http://www.specializedfinancialsolutions.com/own-a-home.htm or Call 954-678-5796]]> What Are The Different Mortgage Loan Options? http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-are-the-different-mortgage-loan-options http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-are-the-different-mortgage-loan-options#comments Sat, 14 Oct 2006 12:27:09 +0000 fixed rate loanadjustable rate loansfixed mortgage ratevice versamortgage loan optionspopular mortgageadjustable rate mortgage http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-are-the-different-mortgage-loan-options mortgage loan options.

Fixed mortgage loans

loans are the most popular type of home loan. With this type of loan you will know upfront what your monthly payment will be for the life of your loan.

The 30 year is probably the most common loan selected by home buyers because the loan is spread over a longer span of time which reduces the monthly payment required each month. However, it increases the amount you have to pay over time due to interest as opposed to a shorter term loan.

The 15 year fixed rate loan allows you to pay off your home if fifteen years and is a popular choice for home buyers that can afford a higher monthly payment. You will only pay half the interest you would otherwise pay with a 30 year loan.

Biweekly loans are usually tied in with a 30 year fixed rate loan. Payments are made every two weeks instead of monthly. This lowers the amount of interest you have to pay and means your home will be paid off a few years sooner.



The can be tricky for those that don't understand how it works or are on a tight budget. The amount you pay each month depends on the current interest rate. Therefore it is possible your payments will increase as time goes on.

Convertible loans

This type of loan allows you to switch from a fixed rate loan to an adjustable loan or . This gives you flexibility in the years ahead to switch your loan type to get the lowest interest rates and lowest house payments.

Interest only loan

If you work on commission or receive a big bonus each year as part of your salary, you may be interested in an interest only loan. With this type of loan, you just make the interest payments each month until you get your bonus, and then you make a lump sum payment on your mortgage.

Balloon loan

A balloon loan is a fixed rate loan that has small monthly payments which span around seven years. Then at the end of seven years you must pay off the loan in a lump sum payment or refinance the loan.

Reverse mortgage

A reverse mortgage is for those with a lot of equity built up in their home. The loan requires no mouthy payment, however the loan needs to be paid off if you sell your house.

FHA mortgage

This type of mortgage loan is a good match for first time home buyers and those with little money for a down payment. FHA loans require a smaller down payment than conventional loans and the monthly payments are also less.

Veterans loan

Veterans loans are only for those who have served in the armed forces and their survivors. No down payment is required for this type of loan.

You can see there are quite a few choices to mull over. The best idea is to consult with your realtor, financial advisor, or other professional to help guide you through the types of loans available and how to choose the one best for you. Tom Atkins is a staff writer at http://www.realestate-digest.com and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including http://www.debt-journal.com. ]]> Debt Consolidation Loan For A Home Owner - 3 http://www.artwoo.com/article/debt-consolidation-loan-for-a-home-owner-3 http://www.artwoo.com/article/debt-consolidation-loan-for-a-home-owner-3#comments Mon, 22 May 2006 00:32:07 +0000 home equity loansmortgagehome equity loan ratesdebt consolidationhome equity line of creditequity loan ratesheloc http://www.artwoo.com/article/debt-consolidation-loan-for-a-home-owner-3 debt consolidation. Here are three loans to consider:

Second

A second mortgage is, essentially, another mortgage on a home that already carries a mortgage loan. The second mortgage takes a backseat to the first one, so it's a bit riskier for lenders. Because of this additional risk, second mortgages usually carry shorter terms and higher interest rates. However, you can use the money you borrow from a second mortgage to consolidate your debt into one payment. And even though the interest rate is typically higher than your first mortgage, it's usually still lower than the average credit card or personal loan rate.

Home Equity Loan

A home equity loan borrows a lump sum of money from the equity in your house--the value of your home minus the amount you currently owe on it. For example, if your house is valued at $250,000, and you currently owe $200,000 on your mortgage, you have $50,000 in equity that you can borrow. That means you can get a lump sum totaling $50,000, which you can then use to pay off other debts. In general, tend to be low, and in many cases they are tax deductible.

Home Equity Line-of-Credit

A --also known as --is a type of revolving loan. Like a Home Equity Loan, you are borrowing from the equity in your home. However, unlike a Home Equity Loan, you don't get a lump sum of cash. Instead, as a line of credit, you can draw on it any time for any amount (up to your limited maximum). HELOCs, in general, tend to have lower interest rates than .

Although borrowing a second mortgage or using the equity in your home can be a simple and low-cost way to consolidate your debt, it's important to remember that, in all these cases, your home is the collateral for the loan. So before you borrow against your home, be certain you will be able to make your monthly payments. Try using http://www.abcloanguide.com for a list of Recommended Debt Consolidation Companies online. Their recommended companies are reputable and competitive in their rates. ]]> Finding The Appropriate Life Insurance Cover http://www.artwoo.com/article/finding-the-appropriate-life-insurance-cover http://www.artwoo.com/article/finding-the-appropriate-life-insurance-cover#comments Wed, 20 Feb 2008 19:19:59 +0000 mortgage life insurancelevel term assuranceterm life insurancedecreasing term life insurancespecialist brokerlife policiesinsurance providers http://www.artwoo.com/article/finding-the-appropriate-life-insurance-cover specialist broker when seeking life insurance cover. With access to a wide range of , a broker can easily search the marketplace and find the best deal for you.

The type of life insurance cover required depends on its purpose. If you need a policy as protection for a mortgage, then Decreasing could fulfil your needs. This pays a lump sum should you die during the lifetime of the policy. The lump sum reduces by set instalments, reaching a zero value by the end of the policy's lifespan, reflecting the decreasing amount of the mortgage.

Life insurance cover to provide financial support for your loved ones after your death would probably best be served by . This also pays a lump sum (the value of the sum does not change) upon death of the policyholder within the duration of the policy.



Choosing the amount of cover can be perplexing, at the most basic level, it needs to cover the total of your debts less any existing . To provide an income for your loved ones after your death, then enough money needs to be in the policy after the debts have been cleared, to be invested. Ideally, these investments should yield an annual return of roughly two thirds of your present income. A rough guide for a policy cover would be a maximum of twenty times your current annual net salary, plus the total of any loans including the mortgage.

Once the amount and type of life insurance cover has been determined then invariably our search is driven by the price of the premium. Cheaper premiums can be achieved by simply choosing a provider on price, many insurance companies sell the same policy but at very different prices. However, if your budget is not restricted then including certain additional extras maybe worthwhile for greater protection and peace of mind.

The basic level of life insurance cover would only make a payment in the event of the policyholder's death within the duration of the policy. It would not make a payment should the policyholder have an accident or suffer long-term sickness. Increasing the level of your policy to include critical illness cover would mean that a payment of an agreed amount would be made upon the diagnosis of the serious illness. The inclusion of a benefit called Waiver of Premium, might also be desirable, as this would ensure that the premiums would continued to be paid in the event illness or an accident. Both of these extra items of cover would of course increase the price of your premium. David Thomson is Chief Executive of BestDealInsurance (http://www.bestdealinsurance.co.uk) an independent specialist broker dedicated to providing their clients with the best deal on their home, motor and life insurance. ]]> Tips For First Time Homebuyers http://www.artwoo.com/article/tips-for-first-time-homebuyers http://www.artwoo.com/article/tips-for-first-time-homebuyers#comments Sun, 13 Jan 2008 09:25:01 +0000 paycheck to paychecktime home buyerfirst time home buyerfirst mortgagemortgage paymentmortgage lendermortgage loan http://www.artwoo.com/article/tips-for-first-time-homebuyers paycheck to paycheck. But even taking this into consideration, buying a home is the best investment of your money that you can make for you and your family's future. In this day and age, most people are paying rent and all of the utilities anyway- so why not own your own home?

Once you are at a point that you feel you are ready to take that leap into home ownership, getting approved for the loan is the next big step. It is key to be sure that you do all of your research and not just take the loan that you are approved for.

Before you even apply for a , sit down and figure out your budget so that when you apply, you know the amount of the that you can afford. Just because you are approved for a certain amount does not mean you can afford that amount!

The bank or should then be able to tell you what your price range for a home would be, based on the amount you can afford to pay for your mortgage payment.

Another thing that you will need to ask about is taxes. Taxes vary from location to location. Your taxes can be paid in one lump sum or they can be included into your mortgage. Including your taxes into your mortgage is highly recommended and sometimes required of first 's which could be to your advantage because you won't need to worry about coming up with a lump sum of money at one time. On that note though, it is very important that if you are going to build your taxes into your mortgage that you know how much that will increase your payment and if you are going to be able to afford that. If it makes your mortgage too much, you may want to consider lowering your price range of the homes that you will look at. Many people may be unaware of the fact that you can apply to multiple banks and mortgage loan businesses within ten days and it will only effect your credit score one time. Be sure to get a Good Faith Estimate from all of the establishments that you apply with and take them home and read EVERYTHING. Once you do that, you can then go with the one that offers you the best deal (ie, low fees, lowest interest rate, etc.)

Once you have your loan approved, it is time to shop for a house! Obtaining a Realtor is a good idea because they are professional's who know what they are doing and will be able to steer you in the right direction. They will also take all of your requirements you will need for your home and conduct searches for you and set up the showings for you also. Remember, they work for you. If they don't sell you a house they do not get paid so they will be more than willing to do what they can to meet your needs - especially in this volatile market with the housing market down, which is called a "buyer's market." This is to your advantage because housing prices are at an all time low. So you may be able to get more house for your money. This article has been provided courtesy of Destroy Debt, http://www.destroydebt.com . ]]> Life Insurance Settlement - How Beneficiaries Get Paid http://www.artwoo.com/article/life-insurance-settlement-how-beneficiaries-get-paid http://www.artwoo.com/article/life-insurance-settlement-how-beneficiaries-get-paid#comments Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:08:20 +0000 northwestern mutual life insurancenorthwestern mutual life insurance companynorthwestern mutual financial networknorthwestern mutual lifelife insurance companymutual life insurancemutual life insurance company http://www.artwoo.com/article/life-insurance-settlement-how-beneficiaries-get-paid life insurance company at that point.

To make certain that I don't miss anything I confirm everything with the claims department of the company before I go on the appointment. I then advise them that I will call from the beneficiaries home or place of business to to make certain all will goes well. As long as all the requirements are met the proceeds will be paid in a very short period of time. Most of my time on the field I was with the Insurance Company, now . Because they are so thorough at the time of application for the policy when the time comes to pay it takes about one week.

There are several choices an insured has when it comes to the payment of proceeds.

One Lump Sum

More often than not the proceeds of the policy is paid in one lump sum. If the policy is small that is fine. When the policy is for a large amount I don't recommend payment in this manner. It is much better to provide an income rather than a lump sum. Income can be paid in many different ways. There are many options.

Interest Income Option

Putting a large sum of money into the hands of one who is not used to handling large sums can result in waste. As a result the intentions of the insured goes for naught. His or her plan is not achieved. The beneficiary of the policy can leave the principal with the company just taking the interest earned at intervals. The principal remains in tact until you decide to take it.

Fixed Amount Income Option

The beneficiary has the option of taking the money in the form of a fixed income. The insured can stipulate that this is how it should be paid or s/he can leave that up to those who receive the money. S/he may say, "pay out $x per month to my family, named person or persons, until the proceeds are exhausted". The actual amount paid is usually considerably more than the lump sum death benefit itself.

Fixed Period Income

This option is similar to the fixed amount option in that the amount paid out is the same. You say to the life insurance company - "pay this money to them in equal amounts over the next 10 years", for example.

Life Income Option

Some people may choose to have life insurance proceeds paid in life income form. This is particularly effective when dealing with large amounts. There are several life income options.

You can have income paid for life but when the beneficiary dies no more income is paid. This is a way of providing the largest life income but I see it as a gamble. I much prefer to have the beneficiary take an income for life but with a certain, or guaranteed period. Let us say the person receiving the income wants a life income 20 years certain. The income will be paid for as long as the beneficiary lives but if s/he dies after 5 years, for example, the income still must be paid out to an heir for an additional 15 years. 20 years certain was an example you may choose 5 years, 10 years, or 15 years certain.

More details: Life Insurance SettlementFor more than 40 years Donald has been known for his extensive knowledge of the life insurance business. He has represented some of the largest and most admired life insurance companies in the United States as well as Canada. His advice is invaluable. Donald's website is: LifeInsuranceHub]]> Debt Consolidation http://www.artwoo.com/article/debt-consolidation http://www.artwoo.com/article/debt-consolidation#comments Mon, 24 Dec 2007 00:30:02 +0000 debt consolidation companydebt consolidation loansdebt consolidation loansingle paymentviable solutionoutgoingscar payment http://www.artwoo.com/article/debt-consolidation s may look like the best and only available to you when looking around to reduce your outgoing finances, but they should be thought about very seriously before taking one out as there are other options available.

A Debt consolidation loan does exactly what it says it does. It is a loan for the value of your total debts, giving you the finance to pay your debts off and have only one payment a month for a payment plan duration of your choosing.

How does it work?

Lets say for example you had a monthly , loan, and a few credit cards, each one of these would have it's own monthly payment requirement every month. Now, if you were to consolidate all of these into one large lump sum of a debt (a ), then you would have consolidated your loan. Basically it means that you take all of your debts and put them in one pot, you then have only one budget total to deal with instead of the many you had before.

The above does not sound to complicated admittedly, but there is a little more to a debt consolidation loan than just this. This is where a will be able to help and give you the appropriate action required.

A debt consolidation company will give you the option of consolidating all your loans into one, after which they will then give you a loan =96 secured or unsecured depending on what you go with =96 which will allow you to pay off your debts with only one payment at a time.

Basically you go to a debt consolidation company to get all your wrapped up into a smaller monthly single payment, they look at your situation, you come to an agreement, and they consolidate your loans, giving you a loan for you to pay off your one large debt.

So now, instead of paying all those different payments every month, you pay only one smaller amount to the debt consolidation company in the amount to which you have agreed. Basically they hold your loans for you, and you take out a loan with them to pay off the total debt.

Usually a debt consolidation company will offer you a loan at very low interest rates, or a fixed interest rate. If you are thinking about consolidating your loans, and what you have are unsecured loans, find out first whether or not you are going to turn your unsecured loans, into a secured loan, as this could spell more trouble for you in the long run. A secured loan will be against a high money value asset, normally a house, so if you default on these payments you could be putting everything at risk.

You should also think about what the advantages are going to be with consolidating your loans. Are you going to have a significantly reduced amount to pay overall; or are you going to have be paying for some considerable time to come? Debt information site http://www.thedebtinfo.com covers all things debt related including Debt Consolidation advise ]]> What is Family Protection Insurance? http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-family-protection-insurance http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-family-protection-insurance#comments Tue, 09 Sep 2008 20:43:21 +0000 family income benefitfamily breadwinnerslump sum benefitterm life insurancelife insurance policieslump sum payoutlevel term life insurance http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-family-protection-insurance
Family protection insurance takes the form of to cover the untimely death of one or both of the or sources of family support. As term life insurance, it can be arranged for the number of years considered most appropriate by the policy holder (the date when the children might have left the nest, for example, or a retirement date if the protection is sought for a surviving spouse).

The level of cover required will, of course, depend on the particular needs and circumstances of the family in question. This is usually arrived at by striking a balance between the monthly premiums that can afforded and the needed to allow the surviving family members to continue to enjoy the standard of living to which they have grown accustomed.

Indeed, because most term life insurance provides for the payment of a in the event of the policy holder's death, and because this sum would then need to be invested to provide a regular replacement income, some term are available that pay out a regular monthly income. These are known as policies, which, in the event of the policy holder's death, make monthly, tax-free payments of benefit from the date of the claim until the end of the insured's term life insurance that had been agreed.

From the insurer's point of view a decreasing level of benefits becomes payable with each succeeding year of the insurance term. For this reason, the premiums for family income benefit insurance can prove cheaper than standard (which pays out the same fixed lump sum at whatever stage during the insurance term the policy holder should die). From the beneficiaries' point of view, of course, there is the advantage of a regular income, without the worry of making potentially complicated decisions about the best investments to make.

Family protection insurance should not be confused with the similar sounding income payment protection insurance. The latter also provides for the payment of a regular, monthly replacement income, but in the case, in the event that the policy holder is incapacitated from working because of an accident or ill-health or because he or she has become involuntarily unemployed. Although this type of insurance can play an important role in protecting the income available to a family for a temporary period, it is important to bear in mind that the vast majority of such policies have a maximum payout period of no longer than 24 months.

Financial security and peace of mind for your family, therefore, more properly come through family protection insurance in the form of family income benefit.Confused.com is one of the UK's biggest and most popular price comparison services. Confused.com helps consumers save money on everything from protection insurance to mortgages.]]> Saving Money With A Mortgage Calculator http://www.artwoo.com/article/saving-money-with-a-mortgage-calculator http://www.artwoo.com/article/saving-money-with-a-mortgage-calculator#comments Fri, 29 Dec 2006 18:27:02 +0000 mortgage calculatorloan payment calculatormortgage calculatorsmortgage loan paymentmortgage expertinterest ratesearch engine http://www.artwoo.com/article/saving-money-with-a-mortgage-calculator
A can save you a lot of money

Even if you already have a mortgage, you might want to gauge how quickly you could repay your mortgage if you increased your payments to a certain amount or the amount you would have to pay each month to repay your mortgage within a certain about out time.

You don't have to be a to do these calculations. Using a mortgage calculator you can input information about your mortgage and the variable you want to change and find out numbers you are looking for.

Types of

A mortgage calculates the amount of your monthly payment based on the amount of the loan, the , points charged by the lender, cost of the loan, and the length of the loan.

By adjusting these factors in the mortgage calculator, you can estimate how your monthly payments will change. For example, if you are unsure of your interest rate, you can test various interest rates to see how your monthly payment will be affected.

Another scenario you can test using a mortgage calculator is how your monthly payment will change if shorten or lengthen the amount of the loan.

Some mortgage calculators allow you to test the amount you can afford to pay for a mortgage.

Into the mortgage calculator you enter your income information, the amount of down payment you would like to pay, debt information, and loan information. The mortgage calculator will return to you the amount you should qualify. The calculator also gives you the monthly payment and tax information for the mortgage you are qualified for.

Finding a Mortgage Calculator

Locating a mortgage calculator isn't difficult at all. You can easily find one by entering the phrase "mortgage calculator" into a .

The search engine will return several results of websites to you. Look at the different calculators and play around with the functionality offered.

Bankrate.com offers a mortgage calculator that is fairly easy to use. You can find the calculator by visiting the website and typing "mortgage calculator" in the search box.

In the calculator, enter your mortgage information and monthly payments, and then click the "Show/Recalculate Amortization Table" button. You will be shown a table listing your payments for the length of your loan, along with the principal and interest with that payment and the balance of your loan.

Using Bankrate's mortgage calculator, you can also calculate the affects of adding extra money to your monthly payment, adding a lump sum annual payment, or a one-time payment during a specific month and year. When you recalculate the amortization table you can see the effect of the payments on your mortgage.

A mortgage calculator is a good way to play with factors associated with your mortgage and see the effect those factors have on your monthly payment and total payoff. If you have a mortgage, or you are thinking about getting one, a mortgage calculator will be of assistance to you Download a free ebook that shows you how to get the best mortgage: http://www.freelandproperty.com/ ]]> Breast Cancer Affecting Women http://www.artwoo.com/article/breast-cancer-affecting-women http://www.artwoo.com/article/breast-cancer-affecting-women#comments Wed, 03 Sep 2008 02:50:27 +0000 breast cancer mortalitybreast cancer casessigns of breast canceramerican cancer societydetecting breast cancerways to prevent breast cancerworldwide breast http://www.artwoo.com/article/breast-cancer-affecting-women
There are plenty of signs or symptoms involved with . The most notable sign or symptom is the discovery of a lump on the breast. This lump usually feels different than the surrounding tissue. More than 80 percent of are discovered by the woman doing a self-test and finding a lump on the breast according to the Merck Manual. The first red flag of breast cancer discovered by doctors is through mammograms according to .

If a patient finds a lump or lumps in the armpits or lymph nodes this can also be an indicator of breast cancer. Other are changes in the size of the breast, skin dimpling, nipple inversion or spontaneous nipple discharge. Another sign is the reshaping of the breast. Patients who suffer from breast pain can be a misleading sign of breast cancer. It is not normally breast cancer if a patient suffers from pain but could be other breast-related problems.

There are or help to prevent the condition. Having more children, breastfeeding, and exercising three times per week for an hour each time. This exercise regimen has been found to lower the risk of breast cancer by up to 40 percent. High intake of soy, folic acids, and avoiding secondhand smoke also help to prevent the development of breast cancer.

The most common way for women to detect breast cancer is through screening at a doctor's office. The screening is known as an X-ray mammography. This process is quick, accurate and readily available in most industrially developed countries. It has been estimated that has been reduced between 20-30 percent because of mammography testing. Doctors worldwide recommend that women, beginning in their forties, get a yearly mammography to check for lumps in their breasts.

Treatment of breast cancer, if a lump is discovered and the tumor is localized, includes surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy. There is also immune therapy and hormone therapy for breast cancer patients. Radiation can be used following surgery to eliminate any remaining cancer cells.

Breast cancer isn't located just in the breast. Breast cancer can spread to other parts of the body, which is known as metastasis. Breast cancer spreads most commonly to the lymph nodes under the arms. Breast cancer can also spread to other parts of the body via the blood vessels. It can spread to the lungs, brain, the liver and even to the bones. Almost 70 percent of the time that breast cancer spread it spreads to bones of the ribs, arms, and the legs. If breast cancer is spread to the bones it is treatable but not curable.Manageable Financial OptionsRaleigh Dentist Locations]]> Buying Family Income Benefit For Family Protection http://www.artwoo.com/article/buying-family-income-benefit-for-family-protection http://www.artwoo.com/article/buying-family-income-benefit-for-family-protection#comments Tue, 14 Aug 2007 10:25:01 +0000 family income benefitlife insurance policybenefit paymentbenefit plantraditional life insurancelife insurance planconventional life http://www.artwoo.com/article/buying-family-income-benefit-for-family-protection Family Income Benefit policy can be an excellent alternative.

This lesser known type of financial protection plan is typically cheaper than the average life cover policy, and it can be an excellent way of providing for your family in the event of your death.

How Does Family Income Benefit Work?

Like a traditional , family income benefit provides money for your family; however, these two types of financial protection are quite different. A life insurance policy provides a lump sum when a claim is made, and the value of the lump sum is the same whether the claim is made two years into the policy, or a year before it terminates (assuming it is level cover).

With a family income benefit, the opposite is true. A family income lasts for a fixed amount of time, but if you should die while the plan is live, your family will receive monthly payments up until the policy terminates. If, for example, your plan lasts twenty years, and you die after ten years, your family will receive a monthly payment for the remaining ten years. If you die after 18 years, they receive the same payment for the remaining two years. If you're still alive when the policy terminates, no payments are received. The structure is the main reason why family income benefit is less expensive than insurance.

Who is it for?

This type of income is ideal for young families, and in fact the plan was designed with them in mind. Conventional life insurance isn't always affordable for young families, but the much lower cost of a family income benefit (choosing a family income benefit can halve your monthly premium payments in comparison to a conventional life insurance policy) means it's possible to provide financial protection for your family without compromising your financial security in the present.

Flexible and Tax Free

A family income benefit plan is extremely flexible. You're able to designate any end date for your policy, and can choose how much income your family will receive each month. For example, you can choose to keep your policy in effect until your youngest child finishes school or university, or until they are old enough to be financially independent.

As with conventional insurance policies, family income benefit provides tax-free payments. The policy does not have a cash-in value, however, as there is no investment component involved. Many companies which offer a family income benefit plan also offer a cash option so that the beneficiary can opt for a cash lump sum instead of a series of monthly payments should a claim be made.

Another option is to link your policy to the Retail Prices Index. This means that the cost of living is factored into how much money your family receives each month. If, for example, you buy a policy this year, and your family makes a claim in twelve years, the payments they receive will be adjusted upwards in line with the increased cost of living. This ensures that your policy will continue to hold its value, and will remain capable of meeting your family's financial needs regardless of when the claim is made.

Insuring your family's financial future is important so it's vital to know what you need and get it right. If you are unsure, it's highly recommended to consult a regulated financial adviser who can find the best policy for you based upon your specific needs and budget. Pay less for exactly the same life insurance policy at http://www.life-saver.co.uk. Compare discounted quotes from up to 20 leading UK insurance companies in seconds. ]]> Risk Versus Benefit In Balloon Home Loans http://www.artwoo.com/article/risk-versus-benefit-in-balloon-home-loans http://www.artwoo.com/article/risk-versus-benefit-in-balloon-home-loans#comments Sun, 27 May 2007 10:19:59 +0000 balloon loanshome loanslump sum paymentfixed interest rateshome loanbenefitshort term loan http://www.artwoo.com/article/risk-versus-benefit-in-balloon-home-loans


A balloon is a type of set at a low, fixed interest rate. After the period of the loan, usually about ten years, the loan matures. The borrower must then pay the principal of the loan in a single lump sum. Balloon are very short term home loans ending in a large . These types of loans of necessity involve some calculated risks.



Balloon home loans may not the vast majority of borrowers. Because of their calculated risks, they are ideal for only a few. At the end of the loan period, any money not yet repaid must either by paid out all at once, or the loan must be refinanced. Some can benefit from this type of loan. Those who flip, or buy and resell homes, often do not intend to keep the homes as long as the term of the loan. They also often receive large amounts of money at once when their property sells. Since the for are very low, this kind of buyer can benefit greatly.



If you intend to keep your property for a long time, you will not benefit as much from a balloon home loan. The short term of the loan is often not enough time to repay the full sum of the loan, and if refinancing or the lump sum are not available at the end of the term, you run the risk of losing your home. If there is an increase in interest rates, borrowers using balloon loans who cannot pay them off at the end of the term also run the risk of a hike in their payments.



To determine the utility of a balloon home loan for your needs, you must consider what you intend to use it for. Also, you should examine how long you are intending to keep the home. If you are considering the use of a balloon home loan for the short term, with plans to later refinance, you must be aware that there are some risks involved. There is some possibility that you would not be able to refinance, thus losing your home.



No loan is good or bad. Different loans are simply built for different borrowers and different lending situations. Most people looking for a short term solution to their mortgage difficulties will be able to benefit from a balloon home loan. Those seeking a more stable solution will find that the risks of a balloon home loan outweigh the benefits. For more information about home loans head over to http://www.refinancingright.com a one stop mortgage website. Particularly useful is their refinancing calculator where you can determine how much you will benefit long term by refinancing. Get that and more at: http://www.refinancingright.com ]]> Save Your Home From The Credit Crunch http://www.artwoo.com/article/save-your-home-from-the-credit-crunch http://www.artwoo.com/article/save-your-home-from-the-credit-crunch#comments Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:30:00 +0000 mortgage paymentmortgage servicermortgage lendert paysub prime lendinghome foreclosurescredit crunch http://www.artwoo.com/article/save-your-home-from-the-credit-crunch credit crunch is affecting markets world wide. The crunch is fueled largely by the alarming number of . The crisis initially began in the sub-prime lending sector, but is starting to show signs of moving into prime mortgages. If you find yourself one of the unfortunate homeowners that has or is about to miss a , use these steps to hopefully avoid the pain of foreclosure and losing your home.

1. Keep in constant communication with your . If you are about to miss a payment, call them immediately. Never ignore any phone calls or letters they send you.

2. Remember to pay your mortgage payment before any unsecured crediments. Credit card companies will let you know the moment you miss a payment, and will convince you your life will be over if you don't pay them. The reason they get so upset is that they can't take anything from you if you don't pay. The banks know they can take your house if you don't pay. Late and missed credit card payments will damage your credit, but nothing like a foreclosure.

3. Never give up hope. There are several steps that can be taken to get you back on the right track with your .

Some of the programs that help you resolve your issues with your lender include:

1. Reinstatement - paying a lump sum to bring the loan current and continuing with payments as normal afterwards.

2. Forbearance - you are allowed to delay payments for a short period of time with the understanding that you will bring the account current at an agreed upon date.

3. Repayment Plan - the lender may allow you to add some of your missed payments to an agreed upon number of future payments, thus bringing your account current.

4. Mortgage Modification - if you can't pay a lump sum to bring your loan current, but can now make monthly payments, your lender may work with you, possibly adding the past due amount to the principal balance.

5. Selling your home - if you have adequate equity in your home, and are able to sell it for an amount to satisfy your mortgage balance.

6. Short Sale - the bank may accept a lesser payoff for your mortgage if you get an offer on your home. Make sure the bank accepts the amount received from the short sale as paid in full with no recourse, otherwise they can come after you for the difference. Banks are warming up to the short sale because they stand to lose even more money if they have to foreclose on your home.

7. Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure - the lender takes ownership of the property and forgives your debt. Much less damaging to your credit than a foreclosure.

8. FHA/VA - FHA loans and VA loans are government backed loan programs that have special programs to help you avoid foreclosure. Contact the VA or HUD if you have one of these loans for more information.

Your mortgage lender won't automatically put you on one of these programs, you must work with them, and keep your promises to them. If you simply stop paying, you will lose your house, and any equity you may have in it. Banks are not in the real estate business, and do not want to own your home, they will work with you. Visit http://www.creditcrunchhelp.info for more information on credit issues and personal finance. ]]> Making A Rational Decision About A Structured Settlement Annuity http://www.artwoo.com/article/making-a-rational-decision-about-a-structured-settlement-annuity http://www.artwoo.com/article/making-a-rational-decision-about-a-structured-settlement-annuity#comments Wed, 27 Sep 2006 12:27:07 +0000 life annuityannuitiesbeneficiarystructured settlementsrational decisionsheer volumeaghast http://www.artwoo.com/article/making-a-rational-decision-about-a-structured-settlement-annuity aghast by the of e-mails, web sites, tv and journal advertising and legal talk when considering the issue of or . We will investigate what, exactly, a structured settlement is so that you are better able to understand the concept and be able to make a .

To begin, let's explore just what a structured settlement is. It is simply a series of guaranteed disbursals - also known as annuities - made over a certain period of time and is usually the result of an injury settlement or another situation in which you are awarded access to a substantial whole amount of money. It is the alternative to accepting an upfront lump sum.

Structured settlements are individualized arrangements meant to help you cover present and forthcoming expenses. By working closely with an experienced attorney or financial advisor you can determine an effective structured settlement to give you the security of a fixed income over a set period of time. This can help you sleep better at night by taking a huge burden off your back.

There are various types of these annuities. You can learn more about them over at http://www.fixmyannuity.com, but here is a brief explanation of each. This is by no means a complete list, but should give you a fair idea of what is out there:

A certain Period Annuity has a certain period of time for the payments to be paid out. They can be made monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually. Upon your death, all remaining payments are made to you .

A will make periodic contributions for a guaranteed number of years (based on your life expectancy) or for life, whichever is up first. Again, the beneficiary receives any remaining disbursals should you die before the full whole amount is paid.

A Temporary Life Annuity will pay you for a designated number of years if you are still living, so your annuity ends when you die. There's no provision for a beneficiary to collect remaining disbursals.

In a Life Contingent Lump Sum you'll receive a lump sum, provided you are alive on the due date. If you die before this date, your beneficiary is not entitled to the whole amount.

Finally, with Lump Sum Option you can set it up to receive the lump sum on a particular date, say, fifteen years from now. Your beneficiary will receive the lump sum on the future date if you have died before then.

So which type is right for you? The best advice we can offer is to do your fact-finding work. Discuss your situation with your financial advisor and family. That way when you make the decision you'll know what your getting and have considered all the options. Yvonne Volante, the author, is a big fan of annuities and proper planning and writes for fixmyannuity.com, which is the premier annuity resource on the internet. You can see all of the articles over at http://www.fixmyannuity.com ]]>