5 1 Investments in life insurance contracts

cash surrender value of life insurance balance sheet classification

There’s one additional facet of BOLI accounting to consider – the FASB has determined that the value of the policy on the financial statement date should be included as a balance sheet asset. That value refers to the cash surrender value, NOT the possible benefit paid should the officer die in the future. The cash surrender value of a life insurance policy is the amount of money (minus fees) the policyholder will receive if they voluntarily surrender or terminate the policy. The insurer will give the amount that the policy is worth based on the premiums and the interest the company has earned on the policy. For example, if a policyholder purchases a universal life insurance policy, then decides to cancel it, the cash surrender value is the amount the insurance company would pay when the policy is canceled. The amount paid is typically less than the accumulated cash value because insurance companies often withhold fees and charges, much like a termination fee on a contract.

Generally, the higher the cash surrender value, the more money a policyholder can receive when they surrender their policy. This is because insurers use this figure to calculate how much they will pay out in benefits should the policyholder die during the coverage period. Policyholders can surrender a partial amount instead of canceling the entire policy. If the amount withdrawn is less than the premiums paid, the partial amount surrendered is not subject to taxes. Surrendering a portion of the cash value may reduce the death benefit amount.

Intangible assets

Before cashing out a life insurance policy, policyholders should calculate the surrender fees and any other fees the insurer may charge. The cost of a company’s production assets is reported on the balance sheet as equipment or as machinery and equipment. Since the machinery and equipment will not last forever, their cost is depreciated on the financial statements over their useful lives. Aco Corp. purchases a permanent insurance policy on the life of its shareholder, Ben. Aco pays premiums (see “Life insurance policy”) and the cash surrender value of the policy increases.

In spite of their conceptual advantages, the pro-ratable income and the present value income methods require subjective measurements that make them difficult to implement. Under the present value income method, an appropriate discount rate must be determined. Under both methods, the amount of income recognized each year depends on an estimate of the insured’s life expectancy. The investment method is much easier to implement, since income is not recognized until date of death, and it produces comparable results. The investment method therefore is the best alternative for accounting for purchases of life insurance. It penalizes the policy purchaser and significantly distorts income over the policy’s life.

Accounting for business-owned life insurance policies

This amount is typically calculated as a percentage of the policy’s cash value. If the cash surrender value changes during the year, the change will reduce or increase insurance expense for the year, as shown by the following journal entry. We’ll assume that XYZ Corporation, a fictional entity, pays $3,000 for a $10,000,000 CEO life insurance policy.

Machinery and equipment

  1. There’s one additional facet of BOLI accounting to consider – the FASB has determined that the value of the policy on the financial statement date should be included as a balance sheet asset.
  2. FASB argued in the technical bulletin that there is no justification to support recording insurance contracts at amounts other than agreed amounts (such as cash surrender value).
  3. For the past 52 years, Harold Averkamp (CPA, MBA) hasworked as an accounting supervisor, manager, consultant, university instructor, and innovator in teaching accounting online.
  4. The amount paid is typically less than the accumulated cash value because insurance companies often withhold fees and charges, much like a termination fee on a contract.
  5. The investment method is much easier to implement, since income is not recognized until date of death, and it produces comparable results.
  6. This is the period of time that it will be economically feasible to use an asset.

First, you’ll want to make sure you’re fully understanding your policy and what’s allowed under it. Second, you’ll need to understand how the cash surrender value is calculated and what factors can affect it. Lastly, you’ll need to make sure you’re meeting all of the eligibility requirements to increase your cash surrender value.

cash surrender value of life insurance balance sheet classification

What would happen to a corporation if the long-term CEO were to die? Some businesses carry life cash surrender value of life insurance balance sheet classification insurance policies for just such an event because of potential operation disruptions. In this article we’ll discuss briefly the journal entries for business-owned life insurance (BOLI) policies.