When choosing a permanent life insurance policy, you might consider whole life insurance or indexed universal life (IUL) insurance. Each type has its own benefits and could fit different financial goals and personal preferences.
What is whole life insurance?
Whole life insurance is a type of permanent life insurance. The policy pays a guaranteed death benefit to your beneficiary when you pass away. Whole life insurance also builds cash value. A portion of each premium goes toward the cash value, which grows at a fixed interest rate.1 Once the cash value reaches a certain balance, you have the option to borrow or withdraw the funds while you’re still living.
What is indexed universal life (IUL) insurance?
Indexed universal life (IUL) is another type of permanent life insurance. It pays a tax-free death benefit to your chosen beneficiary when you pass away. Like whole life, IUL also has a cash value feature, but the money grows at an interest rate that is tied to the performance of a stock market index, like the S&P 500. The funds can be borrowed, withdrawn, or used to change the frequency or amount of premiums.2
Side-by-side comparison between whole life and indexed universal life
How to choose between whole life and indexed universal life
If you're deciding between whole life insurance and IUL, here are some factors to consider:
- Personal financial goals: Think about your personal financial goals. If you want the ability to adjust your death benefit later in life, for example, an IUL policy is a better option than whole life, which has a fixed coverage limit.3
- Risk tolerance: IUL policies are riskier than whole life policies because the interest rate fluctuates. If you’re looking for guaranteed cash value growth, with minimal downside, whole life is probably a safer option than IUL.
- Time to retirement: If you’re close to retiring, the security of a whole life policy might be a good option. If you have more time before you retire and can weather potential market fluctuations, an IUL policy may be a better pick in the long run.
- Affordability: Whole life insurance policies usually cost more than IUL policies. If affordability is a concern, go with an IUL policy, which will probably have a lower monthly rate and flexible premiums once you reach a minimum cash value.
Common misconceptions about IUL and whole life
Life insurance can be a complex subject, and there are several common misconceptions about whole life insurance and IUL.
For example, you might think that IUL is always a better choice because of the market returns. While IUL policies have greater cash value growth potential than whole life, there’s no guaranteed return, so it’s much riskier. If the stock market index performs poorly, your cash value can decrease.
A misconception about whole life is that it’s outdated and not worth the high premium. In reality, whole life insurance can be a great option for some people who want a low-risk policy with guaranteed cash value returns. The gains with whole life are typically smaller than with IUL, but you can have peace of mind knowing that you won’t lose cash value during market downturns.
Is whole life or IUL better for your needs?
If you are looking to buy a life insurance policy, and considering between a whole life or IUL, begin with an honest assessment of your individual needs to determine which is right for you.
Whole life insurance is often less expensive than IUL, and it offers the security of guaranteed cash value returns. IUL policies are riskier than whole life policies, but they have higher cash value growth potential. Whole life insurance has fixed premiums and a level death benefit, whereas IUL policies have flexible death benefits and premiums, which can be beneficial if your coverage needs or financial situation change.
A licensed financial professional from United of Omaha can also provide invaluable advice to help you decide. Use this form to submit your contact information, and a Mutual of Omaha financial representative will reach out to discuss your options.