If for estate planning purposes you need to make sure that you will die with a guaranteed payout, then permanent life insurance may be for you. The two most common forms of permanent life are whole life and universal life. The common feature is that the insurance will remain in force for as long as the insured lives, not just for a set term or 5 to 30 years. This means that you don't have to be worried about outliving your term insurance and then paying huge term life bills when you are old or sick (if you are able to get term life then at all). Whole Life Insurance
Whole life insurance has a guaranteed premium and does not fluctuate. Whole life insurance breaks down into two major categories: regular issue and simplified issue. - Regular Issue
Regular issue means that the insured must take a medical exam. People who are in good health or only in slightly bad health should select this type of whole life insurance. - Simplified Issue
Simplified issue whole life insurance is intended for people who have serious health problems. Rarely is a medical exam required. However, it is more expensive than regular issue.
| Universal Life Insurance
Universal life insurance has a premium that is tied to interest rates. The premium necessary to keep the policy in force can, therefore, fluctuate. However, universal life is usually less expensive than whole life. Click here for a quote. Second to Die Universal Life Insurance
Second to Die insurance is used for estate planning purposes. This type of insurance covers both the husband and wife and pays a benefit when both spouses have passed away. This is so because the tax code allows an unlimited marital deduction to the surviving spouse upon the death of the first spouse. The death of the second spouse triggers the estate tax, and that is when the policy pays out. Click here for a quote. Variable Universal Life Insurance
Variable universal life insurance combines mutual fund investments with life insurance in an attempt to create tax deferred investment gains with possible tax-favored loan disbursements. VUL is a complicated and misunderstood product. It can be very expensive and often loaded with fees, so it is not recommended for everyone. A series of articles will be coming soon to explain the hidden fees and charges and why, in our opinion, this is often an unwise and expensive investment. |
