A whole life insurance policy offers death benefits payable to the policyholder’s family on death. It is a type of life insurance policy designed to make a guaranteed payout at the end of the term. If you have been wondering about the pros and cons of whole life insurance, this article explains it.
Do I Need Whole Life Insurance?
One of the questions you may have asked is who benefits from whole life insurance? Why should you bother to get the policy in the first place? Is it worth it to get whole life insurance?
The point is that you need this type of life insurance policy if you want to get a guaranteed payout at the end of the term. Typically, the payout called the death benefit is paid to your loved ones when you pass away.
Whole life insurance also offers passive income opportunities. You can take advantage of the Cash Value to earn interests up to 6%. Of course, this is before tax is paid. But when you consider that your money is working for you, it might be worth it.
What are the Pros and Cons of Whole Life Insurance?
Now, let us talk about the pros and cons of whole life insurance so you can see the reasons to buy the policy or not.
Advantages of Whole Life Insurance
Let us start by talking about the positive aspects of this life insurance policy. Here are some of the reasons why it should be considered:
1. Whole Life Insurance Policies are Guaranteed
More often than not, policyholders are worried about the changes imminent in their policies. From the premiums paid to any other change, they are unsure most of the time.
But why be uncertain over your coverage when you can get something more sustainable? The whole life insurance policy is guaranteed. This is not limited to the death benefit, which pays out the specified amount at the end of the term.
In addition to the guaranteed death benefit, here are other certainties that come with the policy:
Fixed Premium
Premium is the amount of money you pay to keep an insurance policy running. In the case of whole life insurance, it is the amount you pay to keep it active as long as you live. This is because the “term” in this policy refers to the life of the policyholder. The policy’s terms are assumed completed when you pass away.
Unlike the other types of insurance policies with no definite premium, this type has it. The guaranteed premium means that your provider wouldn’t increase or decrease the amount payable.
Interestingly, whole life insurance is about the only insurance policy that offers both guarantees. Both the premium and the amount paid out (death benefit) are fixed.
Permanent Protection
Thinking of sustainable insurance coverage when you need it? That is what the whole life insurance provides. The protection is certain provided the premiums are paid.
2. Cash Value Building
Whole life insurance is also an investment instrument for most policyholders. You can borrow against the cash value, as well as withdraw your money even before the end of the term.
Here are some of the benefits of the cash value:
Premium Accumulation
Are you wondering why cash value is a pro of whole life insurance? It is because it is an accumulation of the premiums you pay. A part of the money you pay to keep the policy active is used to build a “cash reserve.” That cash reserve is what is known as Cash Value.
Tax Deference
Some insurance policy providers have a tax-free policy on whole life insurance. That way, policyholders wouldn’t pay tax on income generated from the cash value.
Passive Income
Cash value in whole life insurance earns passive income for the policyholder in the form of interests. You could earn up to 6% interest annually before tax (if applicable by your provider).
Income Replacement
In some cases, your cash value buildup can replace your income. This is mostly the case when you need your direct income to pay certain bills. But this time, you can use your cash value to settle emergency bills, such as tuition fees and rent.
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3. Flexible Termination
Terminating your whole life insurance doesn’t pose much harm. The flexibility allows you to terminate when you want and leave with your built-up cash value. Your cash value can be paid once you terminate the policy.
Disadvantages of Whole Life Insurance
A whole life insurance policy also has its downsides. Here is a couple of them:
1. Expensive Premium
Are you looking to pay lower premiums to keep your life insurance policy running? Getting whole life insurance may not be ideal because the premiums are higher.
Experts opine that term life insurance premiums are lower than that of whole life.
2. The Process is Sometimes Complicating
The complexity plays out when you want to consider the various options before you. There are several variations or types of whole life insurance. It can be complicating to decide on the one to go for because you want to explore all options before deciding.
3. Whole Life Insurance is for the Long-Term
Last but not least – this type of insurance policy is not feasible for a few years. Younger families can benefit the most from it. But if you are looking at building investments via cash value, give it more years.
Takeaways from the Pros and Cons of Whole Life Insurance Policies
You now know the different pros and cons of whole life insurance. While the policy can help you be consistent, its long-term outlook may be unsettling. Also, you need to explore the options around the control. Some life insurance policy providers may allow you to control every other thing, except the cash value investment. This is often decided by the policy provider. In other cases, the prevailing economic conditions may have negative impacts on the expected dividends.
To avoid “building on a skyscraper,” consider other types of life insurance. Experts believe that Term Insurance has a lot to offer in terms of flexibility. If you can afford to wait for many years to build your cash value while affording the premiums, then go for whole life insurance.
