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LLQP Life Insurance Study Notes 2024

The document provides an introduction to the Life Licence Qualification Program (LLQP) focusing on life insurance, detailing the implications of death on individuals and their families. It discusses the risks associated with death, including financial impacts such as loss of income, debt repayment, and estate creation, as well as strategies for risk management. The document emphasizes the importance of insurance as a means of risk transfer to mitigate the financial consequences of death.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
13 views4 pages

LLQP Life Insurance Study Notes 2024

The document provides an introduction to the Life Licence Qualification Program (LLQP) focusing on life insurance, detailing the implications of death on individuals and their families. It discusses the risks associated with death, including financial impacts such as loss of income, debt repayment, and estate creation, as well as strategies for risk management. The document emphasizes the importance of insurance as a means of risk transfer to mitigate the financial consequences of death.
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

learnedly.

LIFE LICENCE QUALIFICATION PROGRAM (LLQP)

LLQP Module:
Life Insurance

Chapter 1:
INTRODUCTION TO LIFE INSURANCE MODULE

The Learnedly® Study Notes are NOT intended to replace the CISRO Life
License Qualification Program Exam Preparation Manual.

The Learnedly® study notes are based on the CISRO/OCRA Life Licence Qualification Program (LLQP)
Exam Preparation Manual, 10th Edition, 2024.
LLQP Study Notes Module: Life Insurance

Chapter 1:
INTRODUCTION TO LIFE INSURANCE MODULE

It has often been said that the only certainties in life are death and taxes. Death has
implications for an individual’s estate and surviving family members

1.1 Risk of death


• In insurance terms, the probability of dying at a specific age is referred to as the
mortality rate
• There are many factors that influence a person’s risk of death - age, gender,
family history health, smoking status, job and income level, etc.
• There are 2 ways of looking at the risk of death:
o Life expectancy - the average number of years that a person within a
certain group and of a certain age can expect to live from that age
forward, assumes that the past mortality experience of the group to which
that person belongs will hold true in the future
o Probability of death - the statistical probability that a person within a
certain group and of a certain age will die before reaching his next
birthday, assumes that the past mortality experience of the group to
which that person belongs will hold true in the future
• Life expectancy and probability of death statistics are compiled for each unique
and defined group of people, and are often presented in a format called a “life
table”
• A female’s risk of death is lower than a male’s risk of death at the same age

1.2 Potential financial impact of death


• The tragedy of death, whether it is the loss of a spouse, a child, a friend or a key
employee is magnified by the financial consequences of that death

1.2.1 Loss of income


• One of the most devastating financial impacts results from the death of an
income earner, particularly if he was supporting a young family that relied on
that income

©2025 Learnedly Canada Inc. Page 2 of 4


LLQP Study Notes Module: Life Insurance

1.2.2 Loss of caregiver


• Death of a non-income earner can have a significant impact on the surviving
family’s finances, particularly if the deceased took care of the family’s children,
etc.

1.2.3 Debt repayment


• When a person dies, one of the first responsibilities of the executor of the estate
is to pay off any outstanding debts - mortgages, car loans and credit card debt,
etc.
• In some cases, the lender may be willing to extend the loan to the surviving
spouse
• If the lender decides that the risk of default is too high, it will recall the loan

1.2.4 Income taxes


• The income tax liability that arises upon death can seriously erode an estate
• When a person dies, he is usually deemed to have sold all of his property for its
fair market value (FMV), which can trigger a taxable capital gain
• When a person dies, his registered assets (i.e. RRSP, RRIF, etc.) will also be
deregistered (unless a rollover applies), which means the full amount will be
taxed at his marginal tax

1.2.5 Estate creation


• Clients often reflect that they want to leave something behind, to have
“something to show” for their life

[Link] Income tax owing

• An estate can pay the income tax on inherited property, allowing inheritors to
receive it tax-free.

[Link] Education funds


• A person with children might say that he wants to make sure that his children
can go to university or college, even if he dies

[Link] Legacies
• A person might also want to make a financial gift to someone special upon
death

[Link] Charitable giving

©2025 Learnedly Canada Inc. Page 3 of 4


LLQP Study Notes Module: Life Insurance

• Many people would like to support their favourite charity upon their death

1.2.6 Business impacts


• Death of a key employee or shareholder can have a devastating impact on a
business

1.3 Risk management strategies


• There are 4 general strategies that should be considered to deal with risk:
o Risk avoidance
o Risk reduction
o Risk retention
o Risk transfer
• The strategies can be used alone or in combination

1.3.1 Risk avoidance


• Deciding not to expose oneself to the risk in the first place
• It is impossible to avoid the risk of death - other strategies are needed

1.3.2 Risk reduction


• Take action to reduce the probability or severity of risk
• A person can reduce (but not eliminate) his risk of death by maintaining a
healthy lifestyle and avoiding hazardous activities

1.3.3 Risk retention


• A person accepts the fact that he is exposed to the risk, and will accept the
consequences if that risk is realized
• Most appropriate for risks of low severity with a manageable financial impact
• The risk of death is usually considered to be a high severity risk because of the
significant financial impact it can have
• Most clients will not have sufficient financial resources to be able to manage the
financial impact of death

1.3.4 Risk transfer


• Finding someone else who is willing to assume the consequences if the risk is
realized
• Insurance is a risk transfer strategy
• Insurance is sometimes also referred to as risk sharing

©2025 Learnedly Canada Inc. Page 4 of 4

Common questions

Powered by AI

The primary factors influencing an individual's risk of death include age, gender, family health history, smoking status, job, and income level. Mortality rates, which reflect the probability of dying at a specific age, are compiled in life tables for defined groups, reflecting these demographic influences .

Life insurance helps address the financial impact of the death of a non-income earner by providing financial resources to cover the cost of tasks the deceased previously managed, such as child care. This compensates for the loss of support that does not necessarily relate to direct income but has significant financial implications for the surviving family .

Risk avoidance is not feasible for managing the risk of death because death is inevitable and cannot be completely avoided. Unlike other risks that might be circumvented through careful action, the certainty of death requires alternative strategies like risk reduction or transfer .

Risk transfer through insurance offers significant advantages, such as shifting the financial burden of potential losses from the individual to the insurer. This is especially beneficial for high-severity risks with significant financial impacts, like death. It allows policyholders to maintain financial stability and peace of mind, as they pay a manageable premium to cover potential large expenses related to risks that cannot be avoided or mitigated .

Life expectancy and probability of death statistics are essential in determining life insurance premiums as they provide actuaries with data to assess the risk associated with insuring an individual. Life tables categorize these statistics for specific demographic groups, helping insurers predict future liabilities and set appropriate premium levels based on the expected likelihood and timing of payouts .

Risk retention is often impractical for managing the risk of death because this risk typically has high severity and significant financial impact. Most individuals do not possess sufficient financial resources to manage these consequences. Hence, risk transfer through insurance is usually preferred, as it allocates financial responsibility to the insurer, reducing the burden on the individual or family .

Life insurance can facilitate estate creation by providing a financial legacy, ensuring the payment of income taxes on inherited assets, and supporting specific financial goals such as funding children's education or charitable giving. This allows individuals to leave something meaningful behind, underlining their lifetime achievements .

Lifestyle choices, such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle and avoiding hazardous activities, can positively influence the mortality rate by reducing the probability of premature death. Healthier individuals typically have lower mortality rates, which can result in lower life insurance premiums, as insurers assess lower risks relative to individuals engaging in riskier behaviors .

Estate management and tax liabilities become complicated upon a person’s death due to obligations such as deemed disposition at fair market value, triggering taxable capital gains, and the deregistration and taxation of registered assets. These financial complexities require estate planning and often benefit significantly from life insurance, which can offset tax liabilities and ensure smooth estate transition .

Life insurance aids in managing outstanding debts upon an individual's death by providing a payout that can be used to settle debts such as mortgages, car loans, and credit card debts. This reduces the financial burden on the deceased’s family and prevents creditors from recalling loans, offering stability for the surviving members .

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