When a critical illness claim is paid out... what should you do?
An observation & A case study:
A family recently was paid out a critical illness claim which was 5 times the annual income when the husband (who is the breadwinner) had a heart attack. The financial planner gave the right advice to ensure the family had enough in the event an event such as this did happen.
However; What should they have done with this money versus what they did with the money...
Starting with what they did...
6 months after receiving the money; he bought a new rolex watch.
The family went on a long summer vacation and spent in excess of 3 months of his salary.
Made a down payment to a new house and took the rest of the money for the property as a mortgage.
Bought a new car.
Renovated their current house.
At the end of spending all this; they were left with less than 3 months of income from the total pay out...
Do you think they made the right decision? Some might say.. well it is their money and they have the right to choose how and when and where they use the money; plus didn't he get to fulfill his desires? Also didn't he get a loving family vacation which should have helped him recover? And they did make some long term capital investments too didn't they?
Think about it:
The person is surely not insurable for an income protection ever again.
He did make a capital investment into a property but also took on a bigger liability than his investment.. which can't be insured in the event he has another major critical illness and we all know relapse is a possibility.
Purchased luxuries from an advance payment of income which they wouldn't have if they didn't get this pay out. (It was not a bonus from work... but it was treated as a bonus) A lot of families are unaware of what to do in the event they do get a critical illness pay out in the form of a big lump sum of cash.
As a financial planner it is our responsibility to guide them:
Build up an annuity so they keep getting basic regular income in the event he does need to take off from work in the future.
Keep money aside (if extra) for commitments such as school fees and or a more comfortable retirement; we all know for a fact even after suffering a critical illness longevity of life is still an issue; people are living longer even after suffering a critical illness; or would you prefer being a burden on the Children?
If investing in a property, do not leverage the property as the liability may be to big to recover from in the event of another mishap and use the rental income to create an annuity.
Update insurance policies for other members of the family as if anything did happen to them; the breadwinner who already suffered a critical illness may not physically be able to handle the multiple responsibilities.
If you are a client reading this; have this discussion with your family....
Why not have this discussion with them when they are purchasing an income
protection plan; in the event they do they this pay out; what should they do with it?
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