安迪的垃圾堆

LifeBridge Free Life Insurance Program (LifeBridge FAQ).

這免費保險是提供 $50,000 的教育保險給年收入少於 $40,000 的家庭. 只有 10 年期, 但是可以保障如果父母或監護人因故去逝後, 孩子們的教育問題.

* 父母或監護人年齡必須介於 19 至 42 歲之間
* 合法的美國居民
* 父母或監護人有監護至少一人, 並小於 18 歲的未成年.
* 目前有工作(全職或半職) – 家庭年收入在最新的稅表介於 $10,000 至 $40,000 間.
* 必須要有好的健康

Education insurance for parents really is free
By Michelle Singletary
Columnist

You've probably heard that nothing in life is free. But sometimes you can get something for nothing.

MassMutual Financial Group, one of the nation's largest life insurance companies, is actually offering something free to low-income working parents.

Under its LifeBridge program, MassMutual is writing term life policies at no cost for people earning $40,000 a year or less. The company has promised to pay the premiums nationally for 20,000 policies, each with a $50,000 death benefit.

Each LifeBridge policy has a 10-year term. If the insured parent or legal guardian dies during that time, the $50,000 life insurance benefit per policy will be applied toward the education of the children named as beneficiaries.

Various types of schools qualify for reimbursement, including preschools, private schools, vocational schools, community colleges, universities, art and music schools, and graduate schools. Some of the educational expenses covered include books, tuition, and room and board.

LifeBridge was introduced in September 2002 and has been rolled out on a state-by-state basis. It is now available in Washington and 45 other states.

So far, MassMutual has written 3,650 policies. It hopes to issue 20,000 policies by Dec. 31, 2007.

I wondered why the policies haven't been snapped up by the many low-income families who don't have life insurance.

“This is a population of people who are accustomed to bait-and-switch schemes,” said Mark Di Giorgio, director of public relations for MassMutual. “They are accustomed to people offering one thing and giving them another.”

You should be skeptical about free offers. But in this case, there's nothing to lose. Even though the policies are just for 10 years and $50,000, it's better than no insurance at all.

“There is no small type in this offer,” Di Giorgio said. “This is an absolutely, 100 percent free offer.”

Di Giorgio said the LifeBridge program is part of MassMutual's effort to merge its corporate philanthropic efforts in education with providing insurance to low-income families.

To be eligible for the free term life insurance, applicants must be:

* Between the ages of 19 and 42.

* Permanent, legal U.S. residents.

* The parents or legal guardians of one or more dependent children under the age of 18.

* Currently employed – either full- or part-time – and have a family income of between $10,000 and $40,000 on their most recent income tax return.

* Be in good health, as determined by MassMutual's underwriting guidelines.

The “good health” clause is defined as not having heart disease, cancer, or HIV; not currently abusing drugs or alcohol; not having been treated for drug or alcohol use in the last 10 years; and not having been convicted of driving under the influence within the last five years. To qualify for the insurance, workers have to take blood and urine tests.

“This may be may be one of the things that scare people away from the program,” said Sara Krulwich, financial services representative for West Financial Group, a MassMutual agency based in Bethesda, Md. “But the company is simply trying to offer this insurance to people who would normally be eligible for insurance except that they can't afford it, and then make sure that the proceeds are used toward education.”

Even if you aren't in great health, if you meet the other criteria you should apply for the insurance, Krulwich said. You may still qualify for a policy.

Potential policy holders also must provide a copy of their last federal 1040 or 1040A (used to confirm income), last pay stub (used to confirm working status), Social Security numbers for their children or dependents under the age of 18, and proper identification, such as a driver's license.

“What is being asked of them is nothing different than anyone who wants to buy life insurance,” Krulwich said.

If the money is not used by the children after a parent's death, it is donated to one of five scholarship programs pre-selected by the parents. Those programs are the United Negro College Fund, Hispanic Scholarship Fund, National Achievers Society Scholarship Fund (an Urban League fund), the Achievement Foundation Scholarship Fund and the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts.

And by the way, the agents writing up the policies are doing the work pro bono. No commissions are paid to any agents for these policies. Sometimes free really is free.

� Washington Post Writers Group

College aid

If you're interested in applying for MassMutual Financial Group's free life insurance policy, call 800-272-2216.

The policies are for people with low incomes who would like a benefit of $50,000 for their child's college expenses in the event of a parent's death.