An Update on Dividend Interest Rates

By Keiter CPAs

An Update on Dividend Interest Rates

Principals of Winged Keel Group, Jeri Turley and Eric Hieber, understand the complexities of life insurance products and gladly share their insights.  The article below explains Dividend Interest Rates (DIRs) for policyholders.  We hope you find it helpful.

“Life insurance products are complex financial vehicles with many variables that impact the long-term performance of the policy. One of the least understood variables is the Dividend Interest Rate (DIR) insurers declare for their participating whole life products. DIRs mean different things to different carriers and may incorporate pricing and expense components in addition to the carrier’s investment performance. As a result, it is not possible to evaluate the performance of a whole life product simply by comparing the DIRs. Depending on the expense structure, a product with a 5% DIR could have superior performance compared to a product with a 6% DIR.

Because a DIR may mean different things to different companies, many insurers have stopped publishing DIRs adding to the lack of transparency for these products. While it is difficult to elicit much information from DIRs, changes in the declared rates tend to align with new money interest rates. The following commentary provides insight regarding DIRs that is helpful for policyholders.”

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About Winged Keel

Winged Keel Group (“Winged Keel”) is an independent life insurance brokerage firm founded in 1989 that specializes in the structuring and long-term administration of large life insurance portfolios for ultra-affluent families. www.wingedkeel.com.

Eric Hieber, Principal

Based in the firm’s Richmond and Washington D.C. offices, Eric oversees case design and the management of client relationships.  He specializes in structuring customized insurance solutions that assist families and their advisors in their wealth accumulation, wealth transfer, and business succession planning.

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Keiter CPAs

Keiter CPAs

Keiter CPAs is a certified public accounting firm serving the audittax, accounting and consulting needs of businesses and their owners located in Richmond and across Virginia. We focus on serving emerging growth businesses and companies in the financial servicesconstructionreal estatemanufacturingretail & distribution industries and nonprofits. We also provide business valuations and forensic accounting servicesfamily office services, and inbound international services.

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The information contained within this article is provided for informational purposes only and is current as of the date published. Online readers are advised not to act upon this information without seeking the service of a professional accountant, as this article is not a substitute for obtaining accounting, tax, or financial advice from a professional accountant.

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