KEY POINTS:
What is it called and what sort of investment product is it?
The Life Settlements Wholesale Fund is structured as an Australian unit trust.
Who is the company behind it?
Life Settlements Funds is an Australian-based firm and it is also part-owned by two US
companies.
Who is the target market?
Investors looking for long-term capital growth, combined with some income along the way, which is uncorrelated to other investment markets.
What return does it offer?
No rate of return is guaranteed. In the past financial year, the fund returned 18.77 per cent in American dollar terms but because of currency fluctuations the Australian dollar units grew by 6.44 per cent.
When was it launched?
The fund launched about 18 months ago but has raised more than $600 million since from investors in New Zealand, Australia and 10 other countries.
What other products is it like or is it competing with?
This fund is the only one of its kind in the Australasian market.
Is it long term, short term or medium term?
This is a medium to long-term investment. The recommended investment period is at least five years.
What is the fund's unique selling point?
The fund aims to make money by buying the unwanted life insurance policies of wealthy Americans at a significant discount. The fund will only buy policies from those aged over-65 with a life expectancy of 10 years or less. Because of the unique legal structure of the US insurance market, the fund is guaranteed the face value of the death benefit as long as it has paid the premiums.
How strong a stomach do you need for it?
The fund has been rated AA- by Australian research firm PIR. It is marketed as a low-risk capital stable product. There is also a high degree of liquidity - for example it is easy for investors to redeem their units.
What's the hitch?
This is a relatively new product, so the risks may not be well understood. The greatest short-term risk for NZ investors is currency fluctuations. Longer term, the fund could be affected by the US life insurance market.
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