Author: Brendan O'Flynn

Today, according to research firm Conning, an estimated $22bn is currently “in-force” in the life settlement asset class. That is almost exclusively from so called real money investors, usually institutional investors with long investment horizons and plenty of patience. Most histories recognize the life settlement market began in the 1980s, associated with the AIDS epidemic. The rationale behind such transactions seems sadly clear – policies of those suffering from AIDS presented a source of cash for a condition that was considered to be terminal, providing vital funds for the purchase of extremely expensive medication or the abatement of suffering. But…