12/20/2025
So a lot of people has been wondering about the difference between certain life insurance policies such as:
TERM
Build cash value: NO (some policies offer a return of premium on expiration - for a higher premium such as my Term policies)
Description: Level death benefit. Premium increases over time. Lowest out-of-pocket cost in early years per dollar of death benefit. High lifetime cost if you live to life expectancy. Ideal for young adults.
Permanent? NO. Expires at end of term. Recommend getting a guaranteed renewable policy. Some policies are guaranteed convertible. That is, you can convert your policy to a permanent policy without having to go through medical underwriting.
SINGLE PREMIUM LIFE
Build cash value: Yes. You can withdraw cash value whenever you like. However, when you do, your death benefit will be reduced accordingly.
Description: Funded with single premium payment for large death benefit. No further premiums required. Cash value earns interest and possibly dividends.
Permanent? Yes. Some single-premium policies are hybrid life/long-term care policies. That is, they also pay a benefit if you need long-term care.
WHOLE LIFE INSURANCE
Build cash value: Yes
Description: Guaranteed level death benefit. Guaranteed level premium for life, or guaranteed paid up after a certain age (65 is common).
Permanent? Yes. Though when cash value reaches death benefit, the death benefit is forwarded to the insured. Usually at age 120.
UNIVERSAL LIFE
Builds cash value: Yes
Description: Flexible premium, fixed returns on cash value. Variable death benefit.
Permanent? Yes. Needs careful monitoring to ensure the policy doesn't lapse.
VARIABLE UNIVERSAL LIFE
Builds cash value: Yes
Description: Flexible premium. Variable cash value based on performance of subaccounts you select.
Permanent? Yes. Needs careful monitoring to ensure the policy doesn't lapse. This is the riskiest of the life insurance types.
EQUITY-INDEXED UNIVERSAL LIFE
Builds cash value: Yes
Description: Flexible premium. Cash value varies, but cannot go down in value due to market losses. Caps on cash value upside growth.
Permanent? Yes. Less risky than VUL, above, but more complicated to understand.