Blog #42 – History And Characteristics Of Modified Endowment Contracts
Congress established a statutory definition of life insurance in 1984 in IRC Section 7702 that was a significant step in eliminating the favorable income tax treatment of investments disguised as life insurance. In 1988 Congress further tightened the tax rules that apply to life insurance. Under these rules governing the taxation of life insurance, any life insurance contract becomes a modified endowment contract (MEC)and is subject to less favorable income tax treatment if it fails to meet the 7-pay test.