What is a Buy-Sell Agreement?

A Buy-Sell Agreement is a legally binding contract between business co-owners that outlines the plan for ownership transition if a triggering event occurs—such as the death, disability, retirement, divorce, or bankruptcy of one of the owners. This agreement serves as a critical safeguard for maintaining the stability, continuity, and financial health of a business during pivotal moments of change.

At its core, a Buy-Sell Agreement defines:

  • Who can buy an exiting owner’s interest (often the remaining owners or the business itself).

  • How the business will be valued for the purposes of the buyout.

  • The method and terms of payment to ensure fairness and avoid financial strain.

  • Any restrictions on ownership transfers to prevent outside parties from gaining control unexpectedly.

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Role of Life Insurance in Buy-Sell Agreements

In many cases, Buy-Sell Agreements are funded through life insurance policies owned by the business or the individual owners. When an owner passes away or becomes disabled, the life insurance proceeds provide the liquidity needed to buy out the departing owner’s share without draining the company’s cash reserves or requiring new loans. This setup ensures that:

  • The deceased owner’s heirs are fairly compensated.

  • The surviving owners retain control of the business.

  • The business remains operational and financially stable.

Some agreements even include provisions for the sale of these life insurance policies if they are no longer needed, allowing owners to recover value through a life settlement rather than letting policies lapse.

Comprehensive Protection for Multiple Scenarios

Well-drafted Buy-Sell Agreements don’t just cover death or disability—they often account for:

  • Voluntary exits (such as retirement).

  • Involuntary exits (such as termination for cause).

  • Personal life events (like divorce or personal bankruptcy) that could otherwise introduce unwanted ownership changes.

Buy-sell agreements are crucial as they can Protect a Business from Crisis due to a variety of circumstances. By addressing these wide range of scenarios, the agreement protects the interests of all stakeholders and ensures that the company’s leadership and ownership transitions occur according to a clear, agreed-upon plan.

Benefits of Having a Buy-Sell Agreement

  • Reduces uncertainty and prevents disputes during emotionally charged events.

  • Provides a roadmap for valuing and transferring ownership interests.

  • Protects business operations by ensuring leadership transitions are smooth and funded.

  • Preserves business relationships and client confidence during times of ownership change.

  • Strengthens business succession planning and long-term strategic planning.

Ultimately, a Buy-Sell Agreement is far more than just a legal formality—it’s a proactive and essential component of a comprehensive business continuity plan. It serves as a roadmap for how ownership transitions will be handled in the event of a partner’s death, disability, retirement, divorce, or voluntary exit. Without a clear and enforceable agreement, these life events can lead to confusion, disputes, or even the unraveling of an otherwise successful business.

A well-drafted Buy-Sell Agreement outlines who can buy an owner’s share, under what conditions, how the price will be determined, and how the purchase will be funded—often with life insurance. This clarity eliminates guesswork and prevents costly legal battles, ensuring that all parties understand their rights and obligations.

For businesses with multiple stakeholders, implementing a Buy-Sell Agreement is not just a smart legal move—it’s a strategic investment in the company’s stability, valuation, and legacy. It instills confidence among owners, employees, investors, and clients alike, demonstrating that the business is built to withstand change.

In short, a Buy-Sell Agreement is the foundation for long-term success, seamless succession planning, and peace of mind. It protects your hard work, preserves relationships, and ensures your business continues to thrive—no matter what the future holds.

Financial Flexibility

Selling their life insurance policy allows owners to receive a lump sum for purposes like paying off debts or investing in their business, providing greater financial flexibility and stability.

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Risk Management

A buy-sell agreement requires one owner to buy out the other in case of death or disability. Selling a life insurance policy through a life settlement ensures funds are available for this purpose, reducing business risk.

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Aging Policies

As policyholders age, premiums rise. Selling the policy avoids high premiums, providing a lump sum for retirement or other financial goals.

Potential Tax Benefits

Depending on the buy-sell agreement and life settlement terms, there may be possible tax benefits. Consulting a financial advisor or tax professional is wise to understand implications.

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Peace of Mind

Selling a buy-sell agreement through a life settlement provides extra funds otherwise not accessable which increases peace of mind, ensuring loved ones are cared for in case of death or disability, securing the owner’s legacy.

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Alternative Funding Source

A buy-sell agreement may offer the only funding option for a business. A life settlement provides additional funds that might not be otherwise available.

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Flexibility in Retirement Planning

Nearing retirement, a life insurance policy might become unnecessary or unaffordable. Selling it through a buy-sell agreement offers extra retirement funds and financial flexibility.

Diversification of Assets

Owning a business often ties up assets in one place. Selling a buy-sell agreement diversifies assets and reduces risk.

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Planning for the Unexpected

Life is unpredictable, and business ownership carries risks. Selling a buy-sell agreement prepares owners for unforeseen circumstances.

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Protecting Business and Ownership Transitions

Buy-sell agreements protect businesses and ensure smooth ownership transitions including a life settlement component that provides added benefits and security for owners and their families, ensuring their hard work continues to benefit them.

EXAMPLES OF SELLING BUY-SELL AGREEMENTS

Business Insurance plans like Buy-Sell Agreements and Key-Person Insurance can offer excellent opportunities for life settlements. These tools protect businesses by ensuring stability if an owner dies or a crucial employee is lost. By converting these policies to cash through Life Settlements, businesses can unlock funds for growth or investment. This flexibility benefits small to medium-sized enterprises looking to seize new market opportunities or reinvest in operations. These policies are prime candidates for life settlements due to their substantial potential value and the need for periodic updates to reflect the company’s current value.

For example, if three partners each have $2 million life insurance policies for a $6 million company, and the company’s value grows to $15 million, they would need to update their insurance to $5 million each. The original $6 million policy, no longer needed, should be considered for a life settlement. Additionally, when a company is sold, merged, or dissolved, large life insurance policies may remain. If the original purpose is no longer relevant, these policies are ideal for life settlements. Instead of letting these policies lapse due to high premiums, they can be sold in a life settlement, yielding significant funds to reinvest in personal portfolios, charities, or new ventures.

Life settlements also provide an exit strategy for aging business owners planning to retire. By converting outdated life insurance into cash, they can secure a comfortable retirement without ongoing premiums. This also aids in estate planning, helping owners manage assets effectively and leave a legacy for heirs. Leveraging Buy-Sell Agreements and Key Person Insurance through life settlements offers substantial financial benefits to businesses and individuals. This approach optimizes insurance assets, aligning them with the enterprise’s evolving needs and stakeholders. It also provides a solution for managing costly and redundant policies.

HOW SUMMIT LIFE SETTLEMENTS CAN HELP?

Why Partnering with a Life Settlement Broker Matters – And Why Summit is the Right Choice

If you’re considering a life settlement, partnering with an experienced and trustworthy Life Settlement Broker is one of the most important decisions you can make. A skilled broker not only helps you navigate the often-complex life settlement process, but also works to ensure you receive the highest possible value for your policy.

The life settlement market can be confusing, with varied buyer interest, legal complexities, and significant differences in offer amounts. Many policyholders feel overwhelmed or unsure where to begin. That’s where a knowledgeable broker becomes indispensable.

Expertise That Delivers Real Results

At Summit Life Settlements, we specialize in representing policyholders—never buyers—so our focus is entirely on getting the best outcome for you. With deep knowledge of the life settlement industry and access to a wide network of licensed institutional buyers, we bring competition to the table to secure offers that reflect your policy’s full market value.

Whether your policy is a standard universal life, term-converted, or part of a business agreement like key person or buy-sell coverage, our expert team has the experience to handle even the most complex cases. We work on your behalf to ensure every detail is addressed, from initial evaluations to final negotiations.

The Power of the Summit Life Marketplace

Through our proprietary Summit Life Marketplace, we streamline the entire transaction. Our platform connects your policy with multiple vetted buyers in real-time, creating a competitive bidding environment that maximizes your return.

We also handle all the logistics—from paperwork and documentation to legal coordination and compliance—so you can enjoy a smooth, stress-free experience from start to finish. This full-service approach saves you time, protects your interests, and ensures transparency every step of the way.

Transparency, Education, and Personal Guidance

At Summit, we believe in empowering clients through education. That’s why we offer free, no-obligation consultations and policy evaluations, helping you explore your options and understand whether a life settlement is the right financial decision for your situation.

During these consultations, we explain:

  • How life settlements work

  • Your eligibility and what buyers look for

  • Tax implications and potential drawbacks

  • What kind of offers you might expect

We’re committed to honest, straightforward advice, so you can move forward with confidence—not pressure.

Our Mission: Serving Policyholders with Integrity

At Summit Life Settlements, our mission is simple: to help policyholders unlock the full potential of their life insurance policies by offering expert guidance, trusted representation, and maximum value. We’re proud to be a leading name in the life settlement industry, known for ethical practices, personalized service, and successful outcomes.

Whether you’re looking to supplement retirement income, pay off debt, fund medical expenses, or simply convert an unused policy into a meaningful financial resource—Summit is here to help.

Take the First Step Today

Reach out to Summit Life Settlements for a free consultation and discover what your life insurance policy could be worth on the open market. We’ll walk you through every step, ensure full transparency, and fight for the highest possible offer.

Don’t let your policy go to waste. Let Summit help you unlock its true value— Contact Us today.

A buy-sell agreement is a legally binding contract between business partners or shareholders that outlines what happens to an owner’s share of the business if they die, become disabled, retire, or leave the company. It ensures a smooth transition of ownership and often involves life insurance to fund the buyout.

Life settlement refers to the sale of one’s life insurance policy to a third-party for a one-time cash payment. The buyer takes over the premium payments and becomes the beneficiary for when the policyholder passes.

Yes, in some cases. Life insurance policies used to fund buy-sell agreements—typically held by business partners or corporations—may qualify for a life settlement if certain conditions are met.

These policies are often structured to provide liquidity in the event of a partner’s death, allowing remaining owners to buy out the deceased’s share. However, if the agreement is no longer active (e.g., due to retirement, business dissolution, or ownership changes), the life insurance policy may no longer be needed—making it a potential candidate for a life settlement.

In order to qualify, one must have a life insurance policy face value with a minimum $100,000 face value.

Yes—as long as it meets life settlement eligibility requirements and is no longer needed for its original business use. These include policies used for:

  • Buy-sell agreements

  • Key person coverage

  • Executive compensation

  • Business succession planning

Selling an unneeded buy-sell policy can:

  • Recover value from a policy that might otherwise be surrendered or lapsed

  • Provide business partners or former owners with liquidity

  • Avoid paying ongoing premium costs on a now-unnecessary policy

The process can vary, but the process can usually take between 6-8 weeks.

If under 65, one can still qualify for a viatical settlement if one suffers from terminal or chronic illness with less than two years of life expectancy.

To be considered for a life settlement, the policy must meet standard criteria, including:

  • The insured is generally age 65+ or has a serious health condition

  • The policy has a death benefit of $100,000 or more

  • The buy-sell agreement is no longer in effect, or the policy is no longer needed for business succession planning

  • The policy is transferable, and ownership can be changed to a buyer

Ownership varies. In a cross-purchase agreement, each partner may own a policy on the others. In an entity purchase (stock redemption) agreement, the business typically owns the policy. The owner of the policy (whether an individual or the business) has the right to sell it, provided there are no contractual restrictions in the buy-sell agreement or corporate bylaws.