I inherited half the value of an insurance policy on my brother worth about $45,000.  I can cash it out, deal with the tax consequences, and invest in mutual funds, etc.  Or I can keep it as an insurance policy on my 55 year old brother and suffer no tax consequences.  I have no debt other than my mortgage that will be paid off in about 3 years.  What's the smart thing to do here?

Is the $45,000 the cash-value or the face amount (death benefit)?  And are you still paying premiums on the policy.

Does your brother have financial liabilities? 

If you could clarify the above I may have a suggestion. 

 

This can be a whole different ball of wax then deciding to initially purchase such a product.

Much of the exhorbant expenses of such a policy have probably already been incurred, which may make sense to hold onto it.

Per pink panther, More information is required.

Good Luck

Brian

 

I agree with the foregoing questions, as you do not provide enough information.

It sounds like this might have been a policy a now deceased family member owned on your brother, that then passed to you and someone else as percent owners on the death of the owner. I also assume that you are a 50% beneficiary of the policy should your brother die?

What kind of permanent insurance is it? Whole life? Variable life? Variable universal life? Universal life?

Are the premiums payable until your brother reaches age 100, or will the policy be 'paid-up' at a certain age?

You could simply sell the policy, assuming the other owner agreed, as a life settlement, which would likely get you the most $$ for it, rather than surrendering it for cash value.

But more information about the policy is required to speak to your options

BruceM