What is a Viatical Settlement Calculator and How Does It Work?
A viatical settlement calculator is an essential tool for policyholders considering selling their life insurance policy. Our viatical settlement calculator 2026 uses NAIC guidelines and current market data to estimate your settlement value. Whether you're asking "how much is my life insurance settlement worth?" or need to compare options, this tool provides accurate estimates. A viatical settlement allows terminally or chronically ill individuals to sell their policy for immediate cash — typically 40-75% of the death benefit.
How does the life settlement calculator work? Enter policy type, face value, health status, age, and policy age. The viatical settlement calculator instantly shows net proceeds, settlement percentage, transaction costs, surrender value comparison, and life expectancy. The life insurance payout calculator follows NAIC standards: Settlement = (Face Value × Life Expectancy Factor) - Transaction Costs.
Viatical Settlement Formula 2026
Basic Formula: Net Settlement = (Face Value × Life Expectancy Factor) - Transaction Costs.
Life Expectancy Factors: Critical illness (0-2 years): 60-75% | Chronic illness (2-5 years): 40-60% | Serious illness (5-10 years): 25-40% | Stable health (10+ years): 15-25%.
Transaction Costs: Broker fees (5-8%), legal/processing fees ($1,500-3,000), escrow fees ($500-1,000).
Example: $250,000 face value, chronic illness (50% factor) = $125,000 - $10,250 costs = $114,750 net proceeds.
Viatical vs Life Settlement
Viatical settlements: For terminally or chronically ill individuals with life expectancy under 2 years. Pay 60-75% of face value. May be tax-free.
Life settlements: For seniors over 65 with standard health. Pay 15-25% of face value. Taxable.
How Much More Than Surrender Value?
Surrender value: 10-30% of premiums paid. Viatical settlement: 40-75% of face value. Example: $250,000 policy with $50,000 premiums → surrender value ~$10,000, viatical settlement ~$125,000 (12x more!).
Factors That Increase Settlement Value
1. Shorter life expectancy (critical > chronic > serious > stable). 2. Universal Life policies. 3. Policy age over 10 years (+5-15%). 4. Premiums current (+10%). 5. Past contestability period (2+ years). 6. Higher face value ($100,000+).