Maturity Guarantee

Maturity guarantee is the dollar amount of a life insurance policy or segregated fund contract that is guaranteed within a specified period.

Maturity guarantees, also known as annuity benefits, are available at additional premium with life insurance policies or segregated funds. Segregated funds are investment products sold by life insurance companies that combine the growth potential of investment funds with insurance protection. They are individual insurance contracts that invest in one or more underlying assets, such as a mutual fund. Unlike mutual funds, segregated funds provide a guarantee to protect part of the money invested. Even if the underlying fund loses money, the contract holder is guaranteed to receive some or all of the principal investment. But they must hold the investment for a set period to benefit from the guarantee. And they pay an additional fee for this insurance protection. If the holder cashes out before the maturity date, the guarantee won’t apply. They will receive the current market value of their investment, less any fees. With a workplace pension or savings plan that is administered by an insurance company, the fund options available typically are segregated funds.

Depending on the contract, 75 to 100 percent of the principal investment is guaranteed if the fund is held, usually for a period of 10 years. If the fund value rises, some segregated funds also the guaranteed amount to be reset to the higher value, but this will also reset the holding period. Depending on the contract, the holder’s beneficiaries will receive 75 to 100 percent of the contributions tax free in the event of the holder’s death. This amount is not subject to probate fees if the beneficiaries are named in the contract. Potential creditor protection is a key benefit for business owners.

The investment is locked in the fund until the maturity date to be eligible for the guarantee. Early redemption would yield the current market value of the investment, which may be greater or less than the original investment. And, segregated funds usually have higher management expense ratios than mutual funds. This is to cover the cost of the insurance features. Also, penalties usually would be charged for early withdrawal or redemption.