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Which Life Insurance Policy Is Best Term Whole Life IUL Review

Written by Caleb Guilliams | Jan 19, 2025 3:40:01 AM

Term insurance might feel like a great decision at age 35, but it could feel less agreeable by age 55. This blog post discusses the nuances of term insurance and its role in financial planning both now and in the future.

Understanding Life Insurance

Life insurance serves as a means to levelize a non-level cost. Here's a step-by-step explanation:

  1. Imagine a group of individuals deciding to self-insure without a company.
  2. When a member dies, the family receives a set benefit funded by contributions from the group.
  3. Over time, more members pass away and there are fewer individuals to share the cost.
  4. This results in increasing mortality costs for the survivors.

Life insurance solves this problem by allowing members to pay a fixed amount early on to cover later costs. This way, the expenses are distributed evenly over time, ensuring continued coverage.

Differences Between Whole Life and Term Insurance

Whole Life Insurance:

  • Provides coverage for the entire life of the policyholder.
  • Levelizes costs over a long period, often until age 121.
  • Excess early payments contribute to a reserve to cover higher costs later.
  • Secure investment due to guaranteed payouts.

Term Insurance:

  • Offers coverage for a specific period, typically 10-30 years.
  • Cheaper initially because it covers a shorter mortality span.
  • Less likely to pay out compared to whole life insurance.
  • Can result in exorbitant costs if coverage is needed after the term expires.

The Common Misconception of Term Insurance

Many financial advisors suggest buying term insurance and investing the difference; however, this approach assumes that insurance needs will decrease significantly or disappear by retirement age. Reality often tells a different story:

  • At age 65, individuals often still have responsibilities such as mortgages or wanting to leave legacies.
  • Becoming uninsurable as health declines can create a need for continued coverage.
  • Survivors may have higher costs, negating the perceived savings of term insurance.

Planning for the Future

Careful consideration of expiration terms and potential future needs is crucial when choosing life insurance. Term insurance may not suffice in the long run, leading to high costs or insufficient coverage.

It’s advisable to assess long-term needs and consider permanent life insurance options to avoid unnecessary financial burdens later in life.

Thank you for reading. If you are interested in understanding how life insurance can fit into your long-term financial planning, consider exploring both term and whole life insurance options with a qualified advisor.