The pros and cons of whole life insurance
You are unique, and so are your life insurance needs. While term life policies are the most popular life insurance option due to their lower premiums, they are not the only option – for a reason. For example, what if you need permanent, lifelong coverage? Or you want a policy that can help build your financial assets? Depending on your budget and needs, whole life insurance policies offer several benefits to consider before buying coverage. In this article, we'll help you understand:
Find a financial professional near you
What is a whole life insurance policy?
Life insurance policies come in two primary types: permanent life and term life. The most popular is term life, primarily because it is typically less expensive. However, your policy eventually expires with term life insurance – either at the end of a set period (the "term") or when you reach a maximum age limit. At that point, you must either get a new policy at a higher rate — if possible — or go without protection.
Unlike term life, permanent life insurance does not expire. It's designed to cover you for your entire life. As long as you pay the premiums and don't cancel your policy, the policy will pay a death benefit.1 There are several kinds of permanent coverage, but whole life insurance is the simplest and most popular. While the premium is more expensive than for term life insurance, the list of whole life insurance advantages is significant:
Your whole life premium stays the same for life. The fixed premium of a term insurance policy typically ends after 10, 20, or 30 years. And with some other types of permanent coverage, the premium cost can go up later. But with whole life, the premium you pay when you take out your policy never increases. The younger and healthier you are when you take out your whole life coverage, the lower your rates will generally be – for life.
You build cash value at a guaranteed rate. 2 A whole life policy has a tax-deferred cash value that grows at a guaranteed rate every year 3.
Your death benefit is guaranteed. With some other forms of permanent life insurance, the death benefit may vary based on how well the policy's market investments and cash value fare. With whole life, your policy is guaranteed to pay out at least the face value.
You may receive dividends. 4 If you purchase whole life insurance from a mutual company, like Guardian, you may also receive dividends. Mutuals are owned by their policyholders, so annual profits can be redistributed as dividends each year that there is a profit. That has consistently been the case with Guardian policies, and those dividends can be distributed as cash, used to pay premiums, or reinvested in your existing whole life policy.
How does whole life compare to other kinds of permanent coverage?
Whole life insurance is the most popular and straightforward type of permanent policy, but it is not the only permanent option.
Universal life insurance, also called UL, is a type of permanent life policy that offers more flexibility than whole life but fewer guarantees.5 Unlike whole life, universal life premiums are variable, allowing you to raise or lower your payments within certain limits.6 This can make the advantages of permanent life insurance more easily attainable. However, universal life insurance offers fewer guarantees: minimum premium payments can eventually reduce cash value growth and erode its value. This can result in a need to pay more money in later years to keep the same level of coverage or death benefit. However, with sufficient funding, the cash value is guaranteed to grow at a specified minimum interest rate with tax benefits. Depending on the insurance company's investing performance or market interest rates, it can also grow faster. However, universal policies are not likely to earn dividends, even when issued by a mutual company. Other types of universal life insurance policies are available which can provide even more cash growth potential, albeit with fewer guarantees.
Indexed universal life policies, also known as IUL, tie cash value growth to the performance of an index, such as the S&P 500, with caps for minimum and maximum rates of return7. For example, in a year where the index is up 20%, your money may only see a 10%-12% gain. Conversely, if your chosen index is negative for the year, your cash value may stay the same or even grow slightly (depending on the specific terms of the indexed policy). Each insurance company has its own selection of indices available, and you may be able to choose more than one. You may also be able to allocate a portion of your cash value to a fixed-rate interest account.
Guaranteed universal life policies, also called GUL, offer little or no cash value. Instead of providing cash value growth, this policy is structured to provide permanent coverage with lower premiums than whole life insurance. In many respects, it acts like a term policy that ends at the maturity date, i.e., when the policyholder turns a specific age (typically 100 or older). This type of policy is not suitable for building wealth.
Variable universal life insurance policies, also referred to as VUL, give you the option to tie cash value growth to grouped investment sub-accounts.8 With these policies, the insurance company gives you the same asset, performance history, and fee information that a brokerage would, and you have to choose how much to invest in each option. However, unlike with whole life, your cash value can actually decrease if the funds you select do poorly.
Finally, as mentioned earlier, term life insurance is a popular form of life insurance, but there is no cash value, and it does not provide permanent coverage. Term life only lasts for a specified amount of time (or "term"), although many policies can be converted to a permanent policy at some point before they expire. You are only paying for life insurance with no wealth-building component, so the cost can be significantly lower than whole life.
Pros and cons of whole life insurance at a glance
Pro | Con |
Permanent protection that lasts your entire life | Significantly more expensive than term life |
Premiums never increase | Best to take out when younger for more affordable premiums |
The death benefit will not decrease | Your protection needs may change as your life changes |
Builds tax-deferred cash value at a guaranteed rate | Cash value may grow at a slower pace than some other permanent policies |
May pay dividends (if purchased from a mutual insurer) | Requires paying higher premiums compared to term |
Cash can be borrowed without a credit check 9 | Loans against the policy are charged interest |
You can withdraw money from your policy | You may have to pay taxes on money withdrawn from the policy |
One of the simplest forms of permanent insurance | More complex than term life |
Is whole life insurance worth the cost?
Like any other financial product, whole life has advantages and disadvantages, along with some unique features. It provides permanent coverage, guaranteed premiums that don't increase, has guaranteed cash values, a guaranteed death benefit, and offers possible dividends. However, it is typically more expensive than most other policies, and the cash value growth may be more limited than other permanent policies depending on the performance.
Whether whole life insurance is worth it depends on your life situation and goals. If you want protection that lasts your entire life, then a whole life policy from a reputable provider can be an option to consider for your needs. It can also be worthwhile for older people concerned about estate planning strategies and reducing the effects of taxes on their heirs.
To learn more, you can contact Guardian. We’ll help you find a nearby financial professional who will take the time to learn about your unique situation, listen to your concerns, and clearly explain the different insurance options that best fit your needs and your budget.
Frequently asked questions about whole life insurance
What is the downside of whole life insurance?
Compared to a term life policy, a whole life policy is more expensive and complex, in part because it's designed to provide a death benefit that lasts a lifetime. On the other hand, a whole life insurance policy can be a powerful and highly customized asset that provides tax advantages, financial protection, and numerous guarantees and benefits. It can complement your 401k or other savings, but it's not suitable for everyone – before buying, you need to understand how it works and what it can do, then work with a knowledgeable insurance broker or agent to ensure you get the right policy for your needs.
Why do people choose whole life insurance?
Whole life insurance builds cash value, provides permanent coverage, and can help build your family's wealth over the long term. These policies also offer more guarantees than other types of coverage, making them an option to consider for many people.