Cash Value Life Insurance

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Written by True Tamplin, BSc, CEPF®

Reviewed by Subject Matter Experts

Updated on July 04, 2023

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Cash Value Life Insurance Policies Overview

Cash value life insurance policies, also known as permanent life insurance, are insurance policies that provide both a death benefit and an investment component. These policies are designed to provide lifelong coverage, as long as the policy premiums are paid on time.

Unlike term life insurance, which only provides coverage for a specified period, cash value policies have a savings component that builds up over time, known as the "cash value."

This cash value is invested in a variety of assets, such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, and grows tax-deferred over time.

Policyholders can access this cash value through policy loans or withdrawals, which can be used to supplement retirement income, pay for education expenses, or cover emergency expenses. However, accessing the cash value may reduce the death benefit or result in surrender charges.

Types of Cash Value Life Insurance Policies

There are four main types of cash-value life insurance policies:

Types of Cash Value Life Insurance Policies

Whole Life Insurance

Provides coverage for the entire lifetime of the insured, with a fixed premium and a guaranteed minimum cash value growth rate. Some whole life policies also pay dividends based on the performance of the insurance company.

Universal Life Insurance

Offers greater flexibility than whole life insurance, allowing policyholders to adjust their premiums and death benefits within certain limits. The cash value grows based on a declared interest rate, which may fluctuate over time.

Variable Life Insurance

Combines permanent life insurance with an investment component, allowing policyholders to invest the cash value in a variety of investment options, such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. The cash value and death benefit will vary depending on investment performance.

Indexed Universal Life Insurance

A type of universal life insurance that links the cash value growth to the performance of a stock market index, such as the S&P 500. It offers a minimum guaranteed interest rate and a cap on returns, providing a balance between risk and reward.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Cash Value Life Insurance

Financial Goals and Needs

Before purchasing a cash-value life insurance policy, it is essential to assess one's financial goals and needs, such as providing for loved ones, leaving a legacy, or supplementing retirement income.

Risk Tolerance

Different cash-value life insurance policies offer varying levels of investment risk. Policyholders should consider their risk tolerance when selecting a policy type, especially when evaluating variable life insurance or indexed universal life insurance.

Time Horizon

Cash value life insurance policies are typically long-term commitments. Policyholders should consider their time horizon and whether they can afford to maintain the policy for an extended period.

Affordability of Premiums

Policyholders should carefully evaluate their ability to afford the premiums of a cash value life insurance policy, taking into account the possibility of premium increases over time.

Strength and Reputation of the Insurance Company

It is essential to choose an insurance company with a strong financial rating and a good reputation for customer service claims to handle, and overall performance.

Benefits of Cash Value Life Insurance

Lifetime Coverage

Cash value life insurance policies provide lifelong coverage, ensuring that the policyholder's beneficiaries will receive the death benefit no matter when the insured passes away, as long as premiums are paid and the policy remains in force.

Guaranteed Minimum Rate of Return

Most cash value life insurance policies offer a guaranteed minimum rate of return on the cash value, which provides a level of financial security and predictability for policyholders.

Tax Advantages

Cash value life insurance policies offer several tax advantages:

  • Tax-Deferred Growth: The cash value grows tax-deferred, meaning policyholders do not have to pay taxes on the gains until they withdraw the funds.

  • Tax-Free Loans and Withdrawals: Policyholders can take tax-free loans against the cash value or make tax-free withdrawals up to the policy's cost basis.

Forced Savings Component

The cash value accumulation feature in these policies acts as a forced savings vehicle, encouraging long-term savings and helping policyholders build wealth over time.

Cash Value as Collateral for Loans

Policyholders can use the cash value as collateral for loans, which can be useful for financing large purchases, such as a home or a child's education, or for providing liquidity during a financial crisis.

Policy Dividends

Some whole life insurance policies, known as participating policies, pay dividends to policyholders based on the insurance company's performance. These dividends can be used to buy additional coverage, reduce premiums, or increase the cash value.

Estate Planning

Cash value life insurance can provide significant benefits to estate planning by providing a source of tax-free liquidity to pay estate taxes and other expenses, as well as potentially increasing the value of the estate.

It can also offer flexibility in estate planning, allowing for the transfer of wealth outside of the probate process.

Drawbacks of Cash Value Life Insurance

Higher Premiums Compared to Term Life Insurance

Cash-value life insurance policies generally have higher premiums than term life insurance policies, which may make them less affordable for some individuals.

Complexity of Policy Features

The various features and options available in cash value life insurance policies can make them more complex and challenging to understand compared to simpler term life insurance policies.

Possible Surrender Charges and Fees

If a policyholder decides to surrender or cancel a cash-value life insurance policy during the early years, they may face surrender charges and fees, which can reduce the amount of cash value they receive.

Limited Investment Options

With the exception of variable life insurance, most cash-value life insurance policies have limited investment options, which may not align with a policyholder's investment preferences or risk tolerance.

Risk of Policy Lapse Due to Non-payment of Premiums

If premiums are not paid on time, there is a risk of policy lapse for cash value life insurance. This means the policy may terminate, and the insured may lose all accumulated benefits.

To avoid this risk, it is important to stay current with premium payments and understand the grace period allowed by the policy.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Cash Value Life Insurance

Strategies for Optimizing Cash Value Life Insurance

Customizing the Policy With Riders
Policyholders can enhance their coverage and tailor the policy to their needs by adding riders. Some common riders include:

  • Accelerated Death Benefit Rider: This rider allows policyholders to access a portion of the death benefit before death if diagnosed with a terminal illness.

  • Waiver of Premium Rider: This rider waives premium payments if the policyholder becomes disabled and cannot work.

  • Guaranteed Insurability Rider: This rider enables policyholders to purchase additional insurance coverage without undergoing medical underwriting.

  • Long-Term Care Rider: This rider provides benefits to cover long-term care expenses, such as nursing home or home health care costs.

Maintaining Policy Performance

To optimize the performance of a cash-value life insurance policy, policyholders should regularly monitor investment performance, adjust premiums and death benefits as needed, and rebalance investments in variable life insurance policies.

Using Cash Value in Retirement

Cash-value life insurance policies can be an essential part of a retirement income strategy. Policyholders can access the cash value through tax-free policy loans, withdrawals up to the policy's cost basis, or annuitizing the cash value for a guaranteed income stream.

Conclusion

Cash value life insurance offers lifelong coverage, a savings component, and various tax advantages.

With multiple policy types available, including whole life, universal life, variable life, and indexed universal life, policyholders can find a policy that meets their unique financial goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon.

Cash value life insurance also provides estate planning benefits, such as tax-free death benefits, equalizing inheritances, and charitable giving opportunities.

By carefully considering their individual financial circumstances, understanding the potential benefits and drawbacks, and being prepared to monitor and adjust policy features over time, policyholders can choose the right cash value life insurance policy to achieve their financial goals.

Consulting with a financial professional or insurance agent can provide additional guidance in making an informed decision.

Cash Value Life Insurance FAQs

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About the Author

True Tamplin, BSc, CEPF®

True Tamplin is a published author, public speaker, CEO of UpDigital, and founder of Finance Strategists.

True is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®), author of The Handy Financial Ratios Guide, a member of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing, contributes to his financial education site, Finance Strategists, and has spoken to various financial communities such as the CFA Institute, as well as university students like his Alma mater, Biola University, where he received a bachelor of science in business and data analytics.

To learn more about True, visit his personal website or view his author profiles on Amazon, Nasdaq and Forbes.

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