[Darlene Denise]

Darita: Yes, I have taken an "ACCELERATED DEATH BENEFIT" from both my individual and group life policies. This is VERY different that a Viatical settlement. I am a 31 year insurance agent, just retired due to this disability a few months back.

Be very cautious about a Viatical settlement. I do not recommend it. See a lawyer if you are entertaining it.

Your policy should have an Accelerated Benefit provision, if not, ask for it to be added (it's no charge) and then make a claim. You can typically get up to 50% of the policy face amount (some offer more). The money is tax free. The sum you take will be deducted from the face amount and your beneficiaries will get the balance. If you have more than one policy, you can claim on all of them. If they are all with the same company, there may be a maxium total amount you can take. If you have a group policy check on that too. Once the claim has been paid, the insurance company will reduce the amount of premium on your policy to reflect the lower policy amount and reissue a policy at the new amount.

I took the maximum available and placed it in CDs to generate an interest check to me each month to supplement my SSDI and LTD. I hope to not use the principal and leave it for my family. But, if I need it, I've got access to it.

I hope you find this helpful and feel free to ask me anything you might want to know as you go along.

I am a fellow brainmetsister and I will be checking in on you. Sending you my warmest thoughts and praying for you to find some relief with your discomfort and finances.

Darlene