Whole Life vs Universal Life Insurance

The life insurer divides your whole life premiums into three portions:

• One part covers the cost of insurance
• One part takes care of the administrative fees
• One part funds the cash-value account

The insurer invests the money in the cash-value account into a conservative-yield form of investment. Since whole-life policies promise a guaranteed minimum return, you are protected against severer market fluctuations and provide better financial security. But when the insurer’s investments perform well, you earn a better return.  

Generally, the cash value grows at a slow pace in the first few years and then picks up the pace later. As you grow older, the cash value growth rate slows down again as a greater chunk of your premium payments is used to cover the cost of insurance.

Your life insurance policy’s face amount (that is, the death benefit) is for your loved ones while the cash value is available to you while you are still alive. If you do not use all of it, the insurer claims the remaining cash value. When you die, your loved ones receive only the death benefit, not the unused cash value.

So, how can you tap into your policy’s cash value? You can access it in many ways, such as:

• to increase the death benefit
• to take out a loan
• to make a withdrawal
• to pay life insurance premiums

However, lifelong coverage and a built-in investment account — the two main features of whole life insurance — come at a price. If you want a whole life policy, expect to pay six to 10 times more than a comparable term life plan. All the same, whole life insurance can be a good option for some people, despite the high cost.

The better choice between whole life and universal life insurance is specific to each person. That is why speaking with a professional can help decide between a whole life or universal life plan.

Who should consider Whole Life Insurance?

You may want to consider it if you:

• Have a lifelong dependent/beneficiary– Parents of a child with special needs or someone else with a lifelong dependent may find whole life insurance a better option. That is because it pays out the death benefit to your beneficiaries regardless of when you die, as long as the life insurance policy is active.  
• Want an additional investment vehicle – Affluent people who have already maxed out traditional investment vehicles may find the cash-value component to their liking. It gives a better return than a bank savings account, though the interest rate is not as high as most traditional investment options.
• Wish to leave an inheritance – If you want to leave money for your loved ones or a charity, a whole life plan could make sense for you.
• Want to preserve your estate (estate planning) – Certain costs, like probate fees and taxes, can chip away at the inheritance you want to leave your family. Putting a whole life insurance plan in place can ensure your loved ones inherit all the money you intended them to receive after your death.

Whole Life Insurance Pros and Cons:

Just like any other financial product, whole life insurance comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

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Universal Life Insurance

Universal life insurance is also a type of permanent life insurance. This means that with universal life insurance, you get lifelong protection, provided you pay the premiums. Most universal life insurances also build cash value, but they generally offer more flexibility than whole life insurance.

For example, you can adjust premium payments, within limits. Some universal life insurances also let you select the investment options for your cash value. You can withdraw from or borrow against your policy’s cash value any time you want. Additionally, you can also use the cash value to purchase more protection or pay future premiums.

Universal life insurance mainly comes in three types:

Guaranteed Universal Life Insurance (GUL)

Guaranteed universal life insurances mean a guaranteed level premiums and death benefit. Which means they both will remain the same throughout. You pick an age when the coverage ends, such as age 90, 100, 110, etc. The higher this number, the greater the cost of insurance will be.

These policies do not build much value, if they build any at all. The upside is that guaranteed universal life insurance is cheaper than other types of universal life plans. However, remember, if you miss one payment, your policy could lapse. Since there is no or little cash value, the insurer cannot use it to cover a premium payment.  

Indexed Universal Life Insurance (IUL)

These universal insurance policies provide lifelong protection and offer the freedom to increase or decrease premiums and the death benefit, within certain limits. The built-in investment component is usually linked to a stock market index.

An IUL policy comes with a minimum and maximum guaranteed rate of interest. So, even if the stock market tanks, you are not likely to lose all of your value. On the downside, you will have limited gains when the financial market is in a strong uptrend.

IUL policies are more complex and expensive than guaranteed universal life insurance.

Variable Universal Life Insurance (VUL)

A VUL policy also lets you adjust your premiums if your needs or financial situation changes. However, these policies require a closer monitoring than other types of universal life plans. That is because you pick the sub-accounts that impact your cash value growth. If you invest wisely, you can get good returns. Conversely, if your investment choices do not play out as expected, the cash value component might get completely wiped out.  

Who should consider Universal Life Insurance?

Universal life insurance policies could make sense if:

• You want coverage that lasts as long as you live – A guaranteed universal life plan could work well for someone who primarily wants lifelong protection and is not so much interested in building cash value.
• You want more flexibility - Life insurance can change over time, as can your financial situation. Indexed and variable universal life insurance policies give you the freedom to tweak the premium payments, within pre-defined limits.
• You want more investment options – With universal life insurance, you can pick investment options that suit your level of risk tolerance and long-term financial goals. For example, variable universal plans let you invest the cash value in sub-accounts of your choice.

Universal Life Insurance Pros and Cons:

Let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of a universal life policy.

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What is the Difference between Whole Life and Universal Life Insurance?

The main difference between whole life and universal life insurance is that whole life offers fixed guarantees with no control over investments, while universal life provides more flexibility in adjusting premiums, death benefits, and investment choices.

With a whole life insurance policy, you get three kinds of guarantees:

• Your premium payment rate will not increase
• The death benefit will not become less
• A minimum return rate on your cash value

However, you do not have any say in how the cash value is invested. The insurer decides that.

A universal life policy can offer more choices and flexibility. For instance, indexed universal and variable universal plans let you adjust the size of the death benefit if your insurance needs change in the future. You can also adjust your premium payments if you want. Plus, a variable universal policy allows policyholders to select investment options that work best for them.

On the other hand, those who care more for lifelong coverage than the investment component of the cash value account may find guaranteed universal a better option.

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Which Policy Would is Better for Me?

Finding the right whole life or universal life insurance policy comes down to your family’s needs and financial needs. If you are someone who does not like any guesswork after purchasing life insurance, whole life insurance may be right up your alley. Your premiums will not increase, the death benefit remains the same throughout, and the cash value earns a guaranteed minimum interest rate.

But if flexibility is important, universal life insurance may be a better choice. You can adjust the death benefit and premium payments up and down, within defined limits, if needed. Universal life insurance policies may give better returns on cash value than whole life, but it is not guaranteed. Term life may be better suited for your needs too.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when deciding for a permanent life insurance between whole life vs universal life insurance, it's important to assess your specific needs and financial goals. Whole life insurance provides guarantees such as a consistent premium rate, death benefit, and predictable cash value growth. It is well-suited for individuals with lifelong dependents, those seeking an additional investment vehicle, individuals who wish to leave an inheritance, or those looking to preserve their estate through estate planning.

On the other hand, universal life insurance offers more flexibility, allowing you to adjust premium payments and the death benefit within certain limits. It comes in different types such as guaranteed universal life insurance, indexed universal life insurance, and variable universal life insurance. Universal life insurance may be a better choice if you want coverage that lasts as long as you live, desire more flexibility in adjusting your policy, or prefer a wider range of investment options.

Ultimately, the decision between whole life vs universal life insurance depends on your individual circumstances. Speaking with a life insurance professional can provide valuable guidance tailored to your specific needs for permanent life insurance policies. Whether you prioritize guarantees and stability or prefer flexibility and control, Dundas Life can assist you in obtaining the right coverage at the best possible price and help you decide between whole life vs universal life insurance, ensuring your long-term financial security with a good life insurance company.