Life Insurance For Long Term Called Permanent

Added August 31, 2005 by Think Glink Staff

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Summary: Life insurance comes in a variety of forms. Permanent insurance is a type of life insurance that's also known as whole, universal or ordinary life insurance. Unlike term life insurance, permanent life insurance has a cash value and some people treat it as an investment. Permanent insurance is best for people who want to keep it long term.

Q. What is permanent insurance?

A. Permanent insurance provides lifelong protection. As long as you pay the premiums, the death benefit will be paid. These policies are designed and priced for you to keep over a long period of time. If you don't intend to keep the policy for the long term, this may be the wrong type of insurance for you.

Permanent policies are known by a variety of names: whole, ordinary, universal, adjustable and variable life. Most have a feature known as "cash value" or "cash surrender value." This feature, not found in most term insurance policies, provides you with some options.

You can cancel or "surrender" the policy -- in total or in part -- and receive the cash value as a lump sum. If you surrender your policy in the early years, there may be little or no cash value. If you need to stop paying premiums, you can use the cash value to continue your current insurance protection for a specified time or to provide a lesser amount of protection covering you for your lifetime.

You can usually borrow from the insurance company, using the cash value in your life insurance as collateral. Unlike loans from most financial institutions, the loan is not dependent on credit checks or other restrictions. You ultimately must repay any loan with interest or your beneficiaries will receive a reduced death benefit.

With all types of permanent policies, the cash value of a policy is different from the policy's face amount. The face amount is the money that will be paid at death or policy maturity. Cash value is the amount available if you surrender a policy before its maturity or your death. Moreover, the cash value may be affected by your insurance company's financial results or "experience," which can be influenced by mortality rates, expenses, and investment earnings.

Return to Frequently Asked Questions about Life Insurance.

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