According to data from the American Council of Life Insurers, the total face value of individual life insurance policies owned by Americans amounts to $12 trillion.

For various reasons, policy or contract holders may find that their current life insurance policies or annuity contracts do not align with their actual needs and objectives. This could be due to changes in their life circumstances not adequately covered by existing contracts or the emergence of new products offering better services to meet consumer demands. Consequently, policyholders may want to convert their existing products to other options while also avoiding tax implications.

In such situations, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax law provision known as Section 1035 plays a significant role. The 1035 Exchange provision offers consumers a tax-free, legal method to exchange (rollover) life insurance policies or annuity contracts with cash value. When conducting a product conversion, the policy or annuity is not considered sold.

This operation, commonly referred to as “Policy Rescue,” is recognized in the financial insurance industry as a 1035 Exchange.

It is important to note that the 1035 Exchange provision can only be utilized when there is a conversion between contracts with the same policyholder and within the same category of products.

The IRS acknowledges three tax-exempt operations for policy or contract conversions:

1. Converting an old life insurance policy into a new life insurance policy through a 1035 Exchange.
2. Converting an old annuity contract into a new annuity contract through a 1035 Exchange.
3. Converting an old life insurance policy into a new annuity contract through a 1035 Exchange.
   However, consumers cannot use a 1035 Exchange to convert an annuity contract into a new life insurance contract.

The specific operation of a 1035 conversion is akin to conducting a “Trade In.” Under certain conditions, through a 1035 exchange, policy or contract holders have the flexibility to trade in an old policy or contract for an updated one. The new policy or contract may have the same premium but offers enhanced coverage, higher benefits, or increased policy amounts.

A 1035 exchange involves a series of tax regulations and industry processes. Financial advisors or insurance brokers may need to provide evidence to the insurance company, demonstrating the superiority of the new life insurance policy or annuity contract over the existing contract (annuity contracts have stricter regulations in place to protect consumers). Once approved, the rollover between different insurance companies can be executed.

The life insurance industry in the United States is evolving, and consumer needs are becoming increasingly diverse.

There is a growing demand among consumers to convert and update their life insurance policies or annuity contracts. In response, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) introduced the 1035 Exchange provision.

The following are the main scenarios in which consumers opt for a 1035 exchange:

Long-term care needs: When individuals reach advanced age or require long-term care due to illness, their existing policies or contracts may not provide the necessary coverage. In such cases, a 1035 exchange can be used to convert life insurance policies with cash values that exceed the IRS limits for Modified Endowment Contracts (MECs), or annuity contracts, into contracts that offer long-term care benefits. This means that old life insurance policies can be utilized to provide coverage for long-term care needs.
Introduction of superior products within the same contract: When the market offers new policies or contract products that better meet customer needs, policyholders can consider updating their existing policies or contracts through a 1035 exchange. The decision to switch depends on factors such as health conditions and policy terms, allowing individuals to obtain enhanced coverage.
Please note that these are general situations and individual circumstances may vary. It is recommended to consult with a financial advisor or insurance professional to assess specific needs and options for a 1035 exchange.

One important risk that consumers need to be aware of is the surrender charge associated with their policies.

According to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), if your policy or contract is within the surrender charge period, you may incur surrender charges when conducting a 1035 exchange. The surrender charge period and associated fees will vary based on the contractual agreement with the existing insurance company. Additionally, the new policy or contract may have its own surrender charge schedule, which could be longer than the remaining surrender charge period on the old policy or contract.

During the communication and decision-making process, policyholders often face a challenging trade-off even after considering the pros and cons. As individuals age, the cost of obtaining a new policy may be higher than before. However, it is essential to consider the opportunity cost of time. When consumers are willing to accept the costs associated with a 1035 exchange and the new contract indeed offers new return strategies, enhanced coverage, desired features, and tax advantages, the exchange becomes a reasonable choice. Prior to engaging in a 1035 exchange, it is crucial to seek guidance and assistance from knowledgeable professionals in the field.