Tontine

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Definition of 'Tontine'

A tontine is a financial arrangement in which a group of people agree to contribute regular payments to a fund, and the surviving members of the group share the accumulated funds at the end of the agreed period. Tontines are often used as a form of life insurance, as the death of a member of the group releases their share of the fund to the remaining members.

Tontines have been around for centuries, and they were once a popular way for people to save for retirement or to provide for their families after they died. However, tontines fell out of favor in the 19th century due to a number of scandals, in which unscrupulous promoters took advantage of investors.

In recent years, tontines have made a comeback, as they offer a number of advantages over traditional life insurance policies. For example, tontines are often less expensive than life insurance, and they provide a guaranteed payout to the surviving members of the group.

However, tontines also have some disadvantages. For example, tontines can be complex, and it is important to understand the terms of the agreement before you invest. Additionally, tontines are not regulated by the government, so there is no guarantee that you will receive the promised payout.

If you are considering investing in a tontine, it is important to do your research and to understand the risks involved. You should also consult with a financial advisor to make sure that a tontine is the right investment for you.

Here are some additional details about tontines:

* Tontines can be structured in a variety of ways, but the most common type is the survivorship tontine. In a survivorship tontine, the members of the group agree to contribute regular payments for a specified period of time. The surviving members of the group share the accumulated funds at the end of the agreed period.
* Tontines can be used for a variety of purposes, including saving for retirement, providing for a family after death, or investing for growth.
* Tontines are often less expensive than traditional life insurance policies, as the insurance company does not have to pay out any benefits until all of the members of the group have died.
* Tontines are not regulated by the government, so there is no guarantee that you will receive the promised payout.
* Tontines can be complex, and it is important to understand the terms of the agreement before you invest.
* If you are considering investing in a tontine, it is important to do your research and to consult with a financial advisor to make sure that a tontine is the right investment for you.

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