What is MEC testing?

Key takeaways. A modified endowment contract (MEC) is a cash value life insurance policy that gets stripped of many tax benefits. The seven-pay test determines if the policy qualifies as an MEC. MECs ended a popular way to shelter money from taxes by borrowing from insurance policies whose cash value grew too quickly.

What makes an endowment qualifying?

Normally a qualifying policy would be an endowment plan held with a life insurance company or friendly society, with fixed premiums over a term of at least 10 years. The plans are primarily designed as savings policies, but may also include some life insurance cover to satisfy the qualifying policy rules.

How is MEC limit calculated?

To determine MEC status, the IRS uses something called a “seven-pay test,” also known as a “seven-pay limit” or “MEC limit.” During the first seven years of the policy, the cumulative amount paid toward the cash value of your policy cannot exceed the cumulative seven-pay limit for that year.

Is a MEC a bad thing?

There are some cons of a MEC that you will want to avoid if your policy is not currently considered a Modified Endowment Contract. If your policy becomes a MEC, this advantage (FIFO) goes away and the policy is treated like a typical retirement vehicle, such as a non qualified annuity.

What is a 7-pay test?

The seven-pay test determines whether the total amount of premiums paid into a life insurance policy, within the first seven years, is more than what was required to have the policy considered paid up in seven years.

What is the purpose of 7-pay test?

The 7-pay test compares the cumulative premium paid with the net level premium (the amount necessary to pay up the policy). A policy will fail the test if, at any time during the first seven contract years, the cumulative amount paid under the contract exceeds the sum of the net level premiums.

How is an endowment paid out?

An endowment policy is a type of investment that you take out with a life insurance company. You pay in money each month for a set period of time, and this money is invested. The policy will then pay you a lump sum at the end of the term – usually after ten to 25 years.

Is it good to buy endowment plan?

Endowment plans are a good investment tool. These plans are beneficial since this is a long-term plan and offers good returns over a long period. One of the major benefits of an endowment plan is that it provides an option to invest money in a disciplined and well-organized way to fulfill financial requirements.

Is a MEC bad?

Pros and Cons of a Modified Endowment Contract After reading about all the advantages of a whole life insurance policy compared to a Modified Endowment Contract, it might seem like a MEC is a bad thing to have. The truth is MECs are neither good nor bad; their position depends on your financial goals.

Can a policy MEC after 7 years?

Material Change: MEC Violation after 7 Years Both whole life insurance and universal life insurance policies can violate the MEC test and become Modified Endowment Contracts in policy years 8+. This can happen whenever the policy undergoes a material change.