Real Outcomes. Real People. Real Value Unlocked.

Every life insurance policy tells a story – and so do the results. Each year, Evergreen Settlements evaluates policies representing hundreds of millions in face value through our secure, competitive life settlement process, helping policy owners and their advisors uncover value that might otherwise go unrealized.

life settlement case examples

From funding long-term care and strengthening retirement plans to supporting business transitions and estate planning goals, the outcomes are as diverse as the people behind them. Below are a few real-world examples that illustrate how thoughtful advocacy, transparent valuation, and competitive bidding can create meaningful financial impact through the life settlement process.

Surrender Alternative

Estate Planning Review

  • Insured: Male, Age 79, Below Average Health
  • Policy: $4,500,000 Universal Life
  • Financials: $0 Surrender Value
  • The Outcome: $1,660,000 Cash

SUMMARY: The policyholder was prepared to surrender the trust owned policy after an annual review with his advisor.  Rather than walk away after years of paying premium, they uncovered $1.66 million in “hidden value.”

Premium Fatigue

Good Planning Gone Wrong

  • Insured: Male, Age 81. Considerable Health Issues
  • Policy: $1,500,000 Universal Life, issued Standard.
  • Cash Surrender Value: $0;
  • The Outcome: $790,000 Life Settlement.

SUMMARY: Originally purchased in 2008 for estate tax purposes, an increased tax exemption and a transfer of farm shares left the trust over-insured. After funding the policy for over a decade, the trust chose to sell the asset rather than surrender it for $0.

Corporate Owned

Family Business Sold

  • Insured: Male, Age 77, Below Average Health
  • Policy: $2,150,000 across two Universal Life policies
  • Surrender Value: $48,500 Cash Surrender Value
  • The Outcome: $745,000 Cash

SUMMARY: Originally part of a buy-sell agreement, the policies became unnecessary when the owners sold the company to their children. When a business changes hands, keyman and buy-sell life insurance policies often get overlooked – erasing significant potential value. For this business, the settlement provided liquidity to the company’s balance sheet during the ownership transition.

After selling our family business, we assumed the life insurance tied to our buy-sell agreement no longer held meaningful value. Evergreen helped us see options we hadn’t considered and guided us through a settlement that provided real liquidity at an important transition point. The process was clear, professional, and handled with care for what was best for our family.

Robert H. | Dallas TX

Happy senior man in winter coat enjoying a day outdoors with a tablet.

Survivorship

Over-Insured Estate

  • Insured: Male and Female, both age 84 (M 650%/F125%)
  • Policy: $4,000,000 Survivorship Universal Life
  • Surrender Value:: $337,000
  • The Outcome: $1,425,000 Cash

SUMMARY: Both insureds living, one sick, the other not.  Had a total of $7M.  Sold $4M. Purchased for estate planning.  CPA said no longer a need (over insured), they had means but priorities of helping children now was a priority.  After a client review, CPA ref’d the client to NYL agent who called Camper (Archer)

Healthy Lives

Changing Family Dynamic

  • Insured: Male, Age 81, No notable health issues
  • Policy: $10,000,000 Universal Life
  • Surrender Value: $0 – policy was close to lapsing
  • The Outcome: $1,760,000 Cash + Retained Death Benefit

SUMMARY: Following his spouse’s death,the policy didn’t hold the same significance, and the large premium seemed like a burden considering his good health. While he initially had a $750,000 direct offer, Evergreen’s auction process secured over $1 million more in cash and a significant retained benefit.

Trust Owned

The Need for Coverage Still Exists

  • Insured: Male, Age 71, Below Average Health
  • Policy: $1,800,000 Universal Life
  • Surrender Value: $23,500
  • The Outcome: $450,000 Retained Death Benefit

SUMMARY: This trust-owned policy, originally purchased for estate taxes, became a financial burden. With the estate still needing coverage, we worked closely with the family’s attorney to help the family retain $450,000 of death benefit while saving all future premium obligations .

“Evergreen helped us navigate a trust-owned life insurance policy that had become a financial burden. Instead of surrendering the policy for a minimal cash value, they worked closely with our attorney to eliminate future premiums while preserving a $450,000 death benefit for our estate. Their guidance was clear, professional, and focused entirely on what was best for our family. We’re incredibly grateful for the outcome.”

Grace & Richard | Phoenix, AZ

Margaret L.

Keyman Policy

Young Impaired Business Owner

  • Insured: Male, Age 60, History of Prostate Cancer.
  • Policy Details: $4,000,000 Convertible Term, issued Preferred
  • Financials: $0 Cash Surrender Value.
  • The Outcome: $710,000 Life Settlement.

SUMMARY: The business owner was prepared to surrender the policy as corporate dynamics changed. Through an auction process involving 25 offers, the final bid increased by $640,000 from the initial offer, providing the company with “found money” to address pressing financial needs.

Expiring Term

Unaffordable Premiums

  • Insured: Female, Age 74, Below Average Health.
  • Policy Details: $1,000,000 Preferred Term Policy.
  • Surrender Value: $0 Cash Surrender Value.
  • The Outcome: $315,000 Life Settlement.

SUMMARY: The dramatic increase in premiums for the expiring term wasn’t feasible for the family and a conversion was never in the plan. Rather than surrendering what appeared to be a “worthless” asset, the policyowner was able to uncover its hidden value to supplement their retirement.