What is Sarcoma Cancer? 5 Things You Need to Know

Sarcoma is called the “forgotten cancer,” as it’s a form of the disease that is much more rare than others, and because of that, it often doesn’t get the attention it should. However, although it’s less common, sarcoma can still pose a serious risk to someone’s health, so it’s important to be educated about the condition. July is a perfect time to do that, as it’s Sarcoma Awareness Month. What is Sarcoma Cancer? Before you can dive in and do your part to encourage sarcoma awareness, it’s helpful to first understand what the condition actually is. Sarcoma is a type of cancer that can be found anywhere in the body and typically is defined as either soft tissue or bone, with dozens of different categories of each. Sarcomas are often difficult to detect and diagnose, though they unfortunately claim more than 6,500 American lives every year, with more than 15,000 new diagnoses each year in the United States, according to the National Foundation for Cancer Research. How Can I Promote Sarcoma Awareness? Keeping those statistics in mind, spreading sarcoma awareness can be a vital tool in helping to save lives. Here are five important things you need to know — and that you should tell others in your life! — about sarcoma cancer: Most sarcomas have no known cause: Unlike other forms of cancer, there are no known risk factors for sarcoma. However, certain genetic conditions such as Gardner syndrome or lymph-system damage can enhance the risk, and exposure to radiation, certain herbicides and other chemicals are also thought to play a role. Sarcomas are rare among adults, but...

The Viatical Settlement Checklist

Life insurance is often considered as a means to help loved ones pay for your final expenses; however, situations may arise that would make having access to those funds prior to your passing the smartest financial option. Life Credit’s Living Benefit Loan Program allows you to borrow against your life insurance policy’s death benefit in order to cover cancer care and other pressing financial obligations. Another option is  a settlement called a viatical, life insurance can be sold to another party. There are pros and cons to viatical settlements, which each person needs to carefully consider before choosing the path that’s right for them. What happens under a viatical settlement? This is an option that can only be considered when someone is diagnosed with a terminal illness, typically with a life expectancy of less than two years. In this case, the person may want to access the funds to take care of end-of-life planning, such as home care or hospice. Consulting with your medical team to have them assess and document your prognosis should be one of the first steps anyone should take who is considering a viatical settlement. Other factors to consider are the length of your policy — viatical life insurance settlements usually only apply to policies older than two years — and whether the policy was issued by a licensed and insured provider. The value of the policy is also a major consideration, and one that involves its age, the cost of the premiums and the unique health circumstances of the policyholder. What happens under a viatical settlement is that the buyer will often agree to...

5 Riders to Consider in Your Life Insurance Policy

Life insurance policy riders can be vital tools for protecting yourself and your loved ones, adding extra value to your policy. There are many different types of riders, and all are designed to meet specific needs, allowing you to custom-build a policy to your unique circumstances. Many riders are incorporated into an insurance policy upon initial purchase, but some life insurance companies may allow you to add on riders throughout the duration of your policy. As always, consult with an insurance professional to determine which rider may be best for you. Here are five of the most common life insurance policy riders you may want to consider to ensure you’re getting the most out of your policy: 1. Long-Term Care Rider: Life insurance with a long-term care rider enables you to draw upon your policy’s death benefit long before you pass away. You can use the funds for assistance with care, such as paying for a home-care nurse or for living expenses at a nursing home or assisted care facility. Typically, eligibility requirements mandate that policyholders be unable to perform a number of daily tasks by themselves, such as dressing or eating. This type of rider can be an effective way for policyholders to avoid having to drain savings or retirement plans and also ensure they can benefit from their policy while still alive. 2. Living Benefits Rider: This type is another of the life insurance policy riders that allows you to access your death benefit before you pass. In order to qualify, you usually have to have a chronic or terminal illness; if approved, you can use the...