WHOLE LIFE
Whole life insurance refers to a policy that provides lifetime protection by paying a lump sum death benefit. Whole life policies differ from term insurance in that they have a savings component with earning accruing referred to as cash value. With this type of insurance a policyholder may take loans against the cash value which usually have a minimum guaranteed rate of interest. As with most life policies, whole life may be participating or non-participating.
Cash values are considered liquid enough to be used for investment collateral and are tax-free up to the point of total premiums paid. If the insured dies, the death benefit is reduced by any outstanding loans. Premiums payable may be a single payment or fixed periodic (monthly) payment that is payable for the life of the owner or in most cases until the insured reaches age 100.
Types of Whole Life Insurance
Whole Life - The face amount remains constant for life while the premiums are paid until age 100.
Limited Pay - The face amount remains constant while the premiums are paid for a specified term (20 years).
Current Assumption Whole Life (CAWL) - Hybrid between traditional whole life and universal life with level and fixed premiums. A person would want CAWL for fixed premiums, “forced savings” feature of whole life and the potential for better investment results than those guaranteed in traditional policies.
Variable Life - This policy is going to be more risky because of the variable investment feature with no guarantee of cash build up. The premium remains constant but the face amount may vary. The investment options under these types of policies may vary and benefits depend on investment performance.
Variable Premium Whole Life - Flexible Premium UL allows the policyholder to determine how much they wish to pay in premiums. In addition, Variable premium UL offers two different death benefit options:
1.Universal A – Level death benefit
2. Universal B – Increasing death benefit
Variable Universal Life - Variable universal life is a type of permanent insurance that combines death benefit protection with the opportunity to direct the investments into a broad selection of investment options. Variable universal life can fulfill two needs in one financial vehicle: death benefit protection and savings accumulation.