Product Resources > Life Settlements

Life Settlements: A Responsible Alternative to Lapsing or Surrendering a Life Insurance Policy

Before a Client Lapses or Surrenders a Policy… Evaluate All Options.

Many clients walk away from policies that may have real market value. OCI provides a turnkey, advisor-light life settlement solution that protects the client relationship and keeps your workload minimal.

Request a Policy Review

“Nearly 88% of universal life policies in the studied dataset did not result in a death benefit claim.”

Wharton Financial Institutions Center Study (2016). View study (PDF)

Policy lapse and surrender are far more common than most consumers realize. Many policies are terminated without ever being evaluated for potential market value.

Industry research estimates the potential U.S. life settlement market at more than $220 billion annually. This reflects market-potential modeling, not actual annual lapse or surrender activity.

Conning Life Settlements Strategic Study (2025). View Conning press release

Together, these insights highlight a major planning opportunity: Before a client walks away from a policy, help them understand all available options — including potential market value.

OCI Works Directly with Your Client — You Decide How Involved You Want to Be

You don’t need to become a life settlement expert. You don’t need to run meetings or manage paperwork.

You provide the policy details and make the introduction. OCI handles every client interaction from there — education, underwriting, bidding, documentation, and closing.

In other words: You keep the relationship. We handle the complexity.

If the client is about to lapse or surrender a policy, evaluate it first.

Quick Advisor Screening Guidelines

Age / Health

  • 70+ in standard or better health
  • 50–70 with significant health changes

Policy Types

  • Guaranteed UL
  • Current assumption UL
  • Indexed UL / VUL
  • Convertible Term nearing deadline
  • Typical minimum death benefit: $100,000+

Common Client Situations

  • Rising COI or underperforming UL
  • Struggling to maintain premiums
  • Term policy approaching expiration
  • No longer needing the original coverage
  • Considering lapse or surrender
  • Need for liquidity or cash flow

Schedule a Life Settlements Consultation:

DC Couch
OCI Financial Solutions Sales Manager
(402) 697-5629 | Email

Aaron Clark
OCI Financial Solutions Sales Executive
(402) 330-8700 | Email

OCI’s 5-Step Life Settlement Process

Structured. Transparent. Advisor-Friendly

STEP 1: Provide Basic Policy Details

Advisor shares:

  • Policy information
  • In-force illustration (if available)
  • Context for why the policy is being reviewed

OCI does not contact the client yet.

STEP 2: Marketability Assessment & Advisor Introduction

OCI reviews the policy behind the scenes. If it’s viable, you make a simple client introduction and OCI takes the lead from there.

  • Policy performance
  • COI trends
  • Life expectancy considerations
  • Current market appetite

→ The advisor makes a simple introduction to the client

→ OCI becomes the primary point of contact from that moment forward

  • Education
  • Expectation setting
  • Q&A
  • Preparing the client for next steps

The advisor may join these discussions but does not need to lead them.

STEP 3: Expectation Alignment Meeting with Client

OCI meets with the client (advisor optional) before proceeding.

  • How settlements work
  • Estimated value range
  • Client questions
  • Whether expectations align

If expectations do not align (e.g., client wants well above market value), the process stops.

STEP 4: Intake Form, Engagement Letter & Underwriting

If expectations are aligned, we move forward with formal evaluation and documentation.

  • Client completes OCI’s intake form
  • Engagement letter is signed (confirming OCI represents the client and all fees are disclosed)
  • OCI orders:
    • Medical records
    • Policy data
    • Life expectancy underwriting
    • Provider documentation

OCI handles all administrative steps and communications.

STEP 5: OCI Takes the Case to Market & Manages Closing

OCI takes the case to market and runs point on everything through closing.

  • Shopping multiple licensed providers
  • Negotiating on behalf of the client
  • Presenting offers clearly
  • Coordinating electronic closing
  • Ensuring funds are delivered promptly to the client

The advisor remains informed throughout.

Life Settlement Calculator

Click to Calculate Policy Value

Why Advisors Partner with OCI

Client-First Representation

We work solely for the client — not the buyers.

Advisor-Light Workflow

You can be as involved or hands-off as you prefer.

Clear Fees

All compensation is transparent in the engagement letter.

Full Administrative Support

OCI handles underwriting, bid management, compliance, and closing.

Compliance-Centered Messaging

No hype. No performance claims. No consumer solicitation.

Ready to Review a Policy?

Most cases can be preliminarily assessed within 24-48 hours.

Request a Policy Review
Schedule a Call with OCI