Viatical Settlements download information Viatical Settlements - Along with so much of the English language, the name has its origins in a Latin word, viaticum, which means provisions for a journey. These settlements are attractive to a viator (seller) because the person gets a significant amount of money that will ease the financial stress of their final days. Viatical settlements are attractive to investors for their potentially high — but not guaranteed — rates of return. The way it works in the simplest case is the investor pays some percentage of the face value of the policy, let’s say 50% just to pick a number, and in return becomes the beneficiary of the policy. The Advertisement investor is then responsible for paying the premiums associated with the life insurance policy. Upon the demise of the viator, the investor receives the death benefit of the life insurance policy. If the viator dies shortly after the transaction is completed, the investor makes a large amount of money. If the viator survives several years past the predicted life expectancy, the investor will lose money.