You’ve heard it before — companies offering free products. But if you read the fine print, you know there’s always a catch. Mass Mutual Financial Group, though, is offering life insurance with no strings attached.

Individuals who meet all the qualifications listed below could be eligible for a $50,000 life insurance contract at no cost through the end of 2007:

• Between the ages of 19 and 42

• The parent or legal guardian of one or more dependant children under age 18

• A permanent, legal resident of the United States; • Currently employed full or part time with a total family income not less than $10,000 or more than $40,000 annually

• The only member of a household to apply for the LifeBridge free life insurance program; and

• In good health.

Individuals who have been diagnosed with heart disease, cancer, or HIV are not eligible for this offer, nor are those who abuse drugs or alcohol or have abused them within the last ten years or those have been convicted of driving while intoxicated during the last five years. But for those who do qualify, Mass Mutual will pay up to $50,000 for educational expenses for a dependant or dependants at the death of the insured. The policy is a ten year level term policy that is non-renewable at the end of the term.

At the death of the insured, the death benefit of the policy goes into a trust that is managed by Mass Mutual Trust Company. The trust holds the money until a named bene ficiary incurs educational expenses. At that time the money is paid directly to the school the beneficiary (or beneficiaries) attends. Covered expenses include books, tuition, and room and board, and can be used for pre-school, private school, trade school, or college itself. If loans have already been taken out for educational needs and the insured party dies, proceeds from the policy can be used to re-pay them. Also, children covered as the result of the death of an insured parent or guardian have until age 35 to use the proceeds of the insurance. If the money is never used it is donated to one of five scholarship programs.

Once the policy is purchased, any change in income or health will not affect your coverage. The only type of death that could void the policy would be suicide within the first two years of its effective date. Both single and married parents are eligible, but only one parent or guardian from each household can apply. A grandparent could even apply for the benefit if he or she is the legal guardian of the child or children.

Mark DiGiorgio, director of public relations for Mass Mutual, says “The LifeBridge program is part of Mass Mutual’s efforts to merge its corporate philanthropic effort in education with its main corporate agenda, insurance.”

Mass Mutual has committed to providing 20,000 free policies by December 31, 2007. Agents writing the policies are doing so out of a firm belief in life insurance and the value of educating the next generation; no commissions are paid.

For more information on this program or if you know someone who could benefit, call our office at (205) 345-7668, or call Mass Mutual toll free at 800-272-2216 and ask for The LifeBridge Program.

It is free life insurance and there is no catch! Thank you, Mass Mutual!


Article by Babs W. Hart originally appeared in
The Tuscaloosa Business Ink.