Guaranteed Investment Funds (also known as "Segregated Funds" or "Individual Variable Insurance Contract") are basically enhanced Mutual Funds. They come with a protective wrapper provided by an Insurance company.

They come equipped with a guarantee.

At least 75%, and in some cases up to 100%, of the initial investment is guaranteed upon the maturity of the premium deposits or the death of the plan holder, regardless of what the funds are worth on the market at the time.

Segregated Funds¹ are a deferred annuity contract between an insurance company and a policy owner. The policy owner makes deposits through the contract and the insurance company invests the money in Segregated Funds. Segregated Funds are an asset of the insurance company and are similar, in essence, to money held in trust for the investor. The segregated nature protects the investor against the insolvency of the insurance company.

Segregated funds are made up of underlying assets that are purchased via the Life Insurance companies. The value of the segregated fund fluctuates according to the market value of the underlying securities. Segregated Funds have guarantees and run for a period. Should the investor leave before the end date, he/she may be penalized.

You get the full potential for growth and the comforting protection of a guarantee.

Life insurance companies often partner with mutual fund or money management companies in offering these funds. The partnerships are structured so the money management company handles the investing of the money and the administration of the contracts and the insurance company issues the contracts and provides all the guarantees that are associated with them.

The deposits are insured by the underwriting insurance company and/or Assuris². If the client's life insurance company fails, their policies will be transferred to a solvent company. Assuris guarantees that the client will retain at least 85% of the insurance benefits they were promised. Insurance benefits include Death, Health Expense, Monthly Income and Cash Value. Deposit type products will also be transferred to a solvent company. For these products, Assuris guarantees that the client will retain 100% of your Accumulated Value up to $100,000. Deposit type products include accumulation annuities, universal life overflow accounts and dividend deposit accounts.

If you have questions about whether Segregated Funds are a suitable investment for your portfolio, please Contact our office.

¹Investopedia
²Assuris