Insurance companies also use time value of money. A structured settlement is one example. If a person owes $100,000 payable in $20,000 increments over the next five years, the present value of the settlement is less than $100,000. Therefore, the person would be better off paying the lump sum now if possible.
The same time value of money can be seen in state governments and lotteries. For example, a person wins a lottery worth one million dollars. This person is given three options, and each option has a different fee attached to it. The first option is to receive $20,000 a year for the next 50 years. The second option is to receive a lump sum now of one million dollars. This option has the largest fee. The third option is to receive half the money now and the other half over the next 25 years. One would use the time value of money to determine the better deal.
Time value of money can also be seen with retirement plan financial service providers. For example, a customer goes to a service provider and says that he would like to retire in 25 years with one million dollars. He would like to know how much he should invest now to ensure that he has one million dollars at retirement. If the person only intends to deposit money one time, the answer lies in the present value formula. If the person would prefer to make regular deposits, the answer lies in the present value of an annuity formula.
Most