Postponed is an underwriting decision in which a carrier temporarily delays making a final offer of coverage rather than approving or declining the application outright. Postponements usually occur when there is an ongoing medical condition, recent surgery, pending test results, or unstable financial or lifestyle factors that make current risk hard to assess. The insurer specifies a future time frame or milestone"such as six to twelve months of stability or a follow-up evaluation"after which the case can be reconsidered with updated information.

Advisors encounter postponed decisions when clients apply soon after serious health events, new diagnoses, or major financial changes. They explain that the carrier is not saying never, but not now, and work with clients and physicians to gather follow-up records for future reconsideration. BGAs often help identify alternative carriers or simplified-issue options in the meantime. Understanding postponed underwriting decisions helps advisors set realistic expectations, time reapplications appropriately, and keep clients engaged rather than discouraged by a temporary delay.