The New York Life promised:

• on a 20 year endowment $1,650 and paid $710;
• on a 20 year deferred dividend $1,143 and paid $527;
• on a tontine it estimated $1,234 and paid $564;
• on another $954 and paid $390.

As anyone reading the policy forms will note, these estimates are not part of the contract which provides that the policyholder is entitled to only what dividends or investment profits the officials of the company choose to apportion to him.

• The promise is made by the agent in separate printed estimates which purport to be the experience of other policyholders and which the prospective policyholder is assured will be equaled in his case.
• Whether or not the statements are true in regard to the returns some policyholders have received, there is no question that they do not come true in nine cases out of ten.

1906 - How to Buy Life Insurance, by QP <Bonk: Anyone know who this is? My guess is Miles Menander Dawson>