The correct answer is B. Modified Endowment Contract (MEC). The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) defines a Modified Endowment Contract as an insurance policy that has been funded with premiums in excess of certain limits specified by the IRS.

When a life insurance policy becomes a Modified Endowment Contract, it has tax implications that differ from other types of life insurance policies. Let’s explore why the MEC is considered overfunded according to IRS guidelines and why the other options are not correct:

B. Modified Endowment Contract (MEC):

A Modified Endowment Contract is a life insurance policy in which the cumulative premiums paid exceed certain limits set by the IRS. When this happens, the policy loses some of the tax advantages typically associated with life insurance, such as tax-free withdrawals of cash value and tax-free death benefits.

Instead, withdrawals or loans from a MEC are subject to taxation and potential penalties. This designation as a MEC is meant to prevent individuals from using life insurance primarily as a tax-advantaged investment vehicle rather than for its intended purpose of providing a death benefit.

The IRS imposes specific guidelines and limits on premiums for life insurance policies to maintain their tax-advantaged status. When these limits are exceeded, the policy becomes a MEC, and it is subject to more stringent tax treatment.

In essence, it is considered overfunded because the policyholder has paid more into the policy than the IRS allows for the tax benefits associated with traditional life insurance. The IRS introduced these rules to prevent life insurance policies from being used solely as investment tools for tax-free gains, which can be seen as an abuse of the intended purpose of life insurance.

Now, let’s discuss why the other options are not correct:

A. Modified Whole Life:

Modified Whole Life insurance is a variation of traditional Whole Life insurance. It typically has a lower initial premium for the first few years, followed by an increase in premiums. This policy design is often used to make life insurance more affordable for individuals who may face budget constraints initially.

However, Modified Whole Life policies are not inherently considered overfunded by IRS guidelines. The primary distinction between Modified Whole Life and a MEC is the premium structure, with MEC specifically addressing cumulative premiums exceeding certain IRS limits.

C. Variable Universal Life:

Variable Universal Life (VUL) insurance is a type of permanent life insurance that allows policyholders to invest the cash value portion of their policy in various investment options, such as mutual funds. The performance of these investments directly affects the policy’s cash value. VUL policies are not inherently considered overfunded according to IRS guidelines.

Instead, the key feature of VUL is the ability to invest and potentially grow the cash value. However, there are tax considerations, such as the taxation of gains within the policy, but these are not the same as the MEC rules related to premium limits.

D. Interest-Sensitive Whole Life:

Interest-Sensitive Whole Life insurance is a type of Whole Life insurance policy where the cash value grows at a variable interest rate, often tied to market conditions or other financial indicators. While the cash value of these policies can be sensitive to interest rate changes, they are not necessarily considered overfunded by IRS guidelines.

The primary distinguishing factor is the interest-sensitive nature of the policy, which means that the cash value may grow based on external factors. However, this does not automatically result in a MEC designation based on excessive premium payments.

In summary, the correct answer is B. Modified Endowment Contract (MEC) because, according to IRS guidelines, a MEC is a life insurance policy that has been funded with premiums exceeding specific limits, leading to a loss of some tax advantages. The IRS introduced these rules to prevent life insurance policies from being used as investment vehicles for tax-free gains.

The other options, Modified Whole Life, Variable Universal Life, and Interest-Sensitive Whole Life, do not inherently carry the MEC designation and are not automatically considered overfunded by IRS guidelines based on premium payments or investment features.