Plaintiffs who have severe injuries that may result in a shortened life expectancy may be eligible for a "Rated Age" or "Rate Up" from an annuity provider. Most (but not all ) of Delta Group's life insurance companies will give a special (reduced) annuity rate for "substandard lives" based on a medical actuary's review of relevant medical reports. Relevant reports include initial admitting diagnostic reports, hospital discharge summaries, and the most current medical report from the treating doctor. Most companies will not issue a rated age on medical reports more than one or two years old and will re-rate every six months.

Cases that qualify for this special underwriting are spinal cord injuries, brain damage of any kind, severe burns, severe internal injuries that require the removal of organs and medical conditions not related to the claim trauma that may result in a shortened life expectancy such as severe obesity, heart or lung problems, cancer, AIDS or other life shortening diseases.

The life insurer will advise your Delta representative of the rated age within one or two days by giving a whole age number. For instance, a 40-year-old male paraplegic may receive a rated age from one company of 47 and from another at 48 and another at 50. Each company has its own independent medical actuary giving their opinion of the reduced life expectancy. While the rating will not vary drastically there is enough competition in the industry where several years' difference are common.

So, how does a rated age translate into dollars or benefits? A life annuity will pay until the death of the measured life. If the cost for a $1000 a month of level life income for a 40-year-old male is $180,000 then it is logical that to purchase the same annuity for a 50 year old male will cost less - say $172,500. So, there is a saving of $7,500 per $1,000 of monthly income for a 40-year-old male that is rated up to 50. Or stated another way, for the same premium you can get more bang for the buck. And of course, should the injured party live a normal life expectancy or even longer, the payments will continue until death.