EstatePlus Overview
Who is the EstatePlus Series within GIF Select appropriate for?
EstatePlus is ideal for those investors who are looking to establish and protect a financial legacy that can benefit family and loved ones by combining the long-term growth potential of investment funds and the unique protection benefits of a segregated fund contract, such as potential creditor protection and the ability to by-pass probate*. Talk to your advisor for more information.
How do the EstatePlus Death Benefit Guarantee resets work?
The EstatePlus Reset of the Death Benefit Guarantee occurs every three years on the anniversary date of the first deposit to EstatePlus. If the market value of the EstatePlus Series is higher than the current EstatePlus Death Benefit Guarantee, the guarantee will be reset to the market value.
What are the benefits of bypassing probate?
GIF Select EstatePlus contracts offer the ability to name a beneficiary (ies). When a beneficiary other than your estate is named, the proceeds of the contract bypass your estate, and therefore probate, and are paid promptly, privately and directly to the designated beneficiary(ies).* Bypassing probate can also result in substantial savings by avoiding the cost of probate fees. Talk to your advisor for more information.
Can I invest in EstatePlus and with other Series within GIF Select?
Yes, you can hold multiple series within the same GIF Select contract.
What is the maximum age that I can make deposits to EstatePlus?
December 31st of the year the annuitant reaches age 80
What do the EstatePlus guarantees cost?
The EstatePlus Fee is charged separately from fund Management Expense Ratios (MERs) so it is easy for investors to see what they’re paying for and the protection they’re receiving.
The fee calculation is based on the EstatePlus Death Benefit Guarantee amount at the end of the previous calendar year, and the risk level of the funds held in the EstatePlus Series in the previous calendar year.
Fund Fee Rates range from 0.25% to 0.55%, depending on the risk level of the Fund.
The EstatePlus Fee is charged at the beginning of each calendar year based on the previous year’s holdings – there is no fee charged in the first calendar year.
How do I find an advisor and find out if EstatePlus suits my personal financial situation?
To locate an independent advisor near you, please contact: Manulife Investments by calling 1–888–626–8543 (option 3). You can also email manulife_investments@manulife.com
The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company is the issuer of the Manulife GIF Select insurance contract which offers the IncomePlus, InvestmentPlus and EstatePlus Series and the guarantor of any guarantee provisions therein. Any amount that is allocated to a segregated fund is invested at the risk of the contractholder and may increase or decrease in value.
Probate does not apply in Quebec. For investors in Quebec, the term probate is intended to refer to the administrative process and expense of settling your estate.
*In Saskatchewan, jointly held property and insurance policies with a named beneficiary are included on the application for probate but they do not flow through the estate and are not subject to probate fees.