A with-profits policy is a type of investment fund. Policies that are with profits give the insured the extra benefit of a bonus that is a share of the profits from the funds that the premiums have been invested in.

How and where the premiums are to be invested is worth establishing if you are going to invest in a with-profits product, such as single premium insurance bonds for example. But as with all long-term investments in the stock market or in interest bearing instruments, it is important to stay with them for the long term. That way they have time to build up and "smooth" the short-term ups and downs in rates of return.

Some policies may also benefit from terminal bonuses if they are held for their full term. When choosing insurance products for investment it is important to be aware of what charges, fees or commissions may be attached to them and when profits and bonuses are added to the policies. Some, for example, will be heavily weighted with charges at the beginning of their policy life.

To safeguard the funds' strength, financial penalties are also imposed on savers who wish to withdraw their money early. These are known as Market Value Adjusters, or MVAs for short. Firms use MVAs to try to ensure that policyholders who cash in their investments early do not disadvantage remaining policyholders.

<< back