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Variable life insurance is a more complex but unique option for those interested in the opportunity to grow their wealth faster. Besides the added peace of mind you can receive with having lifelong coverage, this policy offers more flexibility with the premiums and death benefit. This article will explain variable life insurance in more detail to help you decide if it’s the right policy type for you.
Variable life insurance is a type of permanent life insurance policy that features a death benefit and a cash value growth component. The cash value lets you invest in various securities, such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. These investments can provide more upside potential, but also more risk.1
Variable life insurance offers the following features:
As long you remain current on premium payments, variable life insurance coverage lasts for life. Once you apply for and buy the policy, it will never expire.
The death benefit payout is the amount paid to beneficiaries if you pass away during the policy term. This allows beneficiaries to help replace your income, pay down debts, cover final expenses, and save for the future. Beneficiaries can opt to receive the death benefit as a lump sum or an annuity with various payout methods.
Part of each premium you pay goes into a cash value growth component. Once your cash value grows enough, you can borrow from it at favorable terms, withdraw from it, use it to pay premiums, or increase your death benefit. You can also receive your cash value minus surrender charges if you surrender the policy.
Variable life insurance offers several benefits, but also some downsides to consider:1
Since variable life insurance lasts for life, you won’t have to worry about renewing coverage or getting a new policy. This can provide added peace of mind knowing that your loved ones will receive financial support no matter when you pass away.
The ability to select individual investments offers additional tax-deferred growth potential that is unavailable on policies with fixed interest rates, like whole life insurance. Choosing good investments can potentially help you accumulate more cash value.
Variable life insurance lets you adjust your premiums in several ways. First, if you want lower premiums, you can pay less in exchange for a lower death benefit. You can also increase your death benefit by paying higher premiums.
Cash value also plays a role. Once you gain enough cash value, you can use it to pay some or all of your premiums. If your investments continue doing well, you could potentially earn sufficient returns to pay premiums with your cash value indefinitely.
Finally, you can overpay premiums to put more into your cash value. This could help you invest more funds early on, taking advantage of compounding returns and faster potential growth if your investments do well.
The extra choice and flexibility make variable life insurance a more complex policy type than other forms of life insurance. You must monitor and manage your investments and determine how you want to pay premiums. This can require additional time and may lead to stress if you become overwhelmed by investment selection and management.
Access to investments offers more growth potential but also more risk. If your investments underperform, your cash value can decrease. This may leave you with less wealth to tap into. Significant underperformance could also result in a smaller death benefit.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Help cover yourself and your family with coverage from Aflac.
Variable life insurance’s extra reward potential, risk, and complexity can make it suited for specific types of policyholders. Here are some instances where this type of policy may make sense for you:1
If you enjoy managing your investments and are confident in doing so, a variable life insurance policy could be a good option. Good investment selection and management could help you build tax-deferred wealth faster. This could mean a potentially quicker route to paying premiums with cash value or using it to help cover other expenses.
Selecting securities that can fluctuate in value is inherently riskier than having a policy like whole life insurance, which has cash value that grows at a low but fixed and guaranteed rate. Therefore, variable life insurance may work for you if you have a higher risk tolerance for investments.
Variable life insurance tends to cost more than other permanent life insurance policies. This is because the insurer may require more cash value to cushion against a potential market downturn. Plus, your investments may come with administrative and management fees, and offering the investment component itself is more expensive. That said, you could offset some of the higher expenses if your investments grow sufficiently. Later on, you can use your cash value to pay premiums if it’s large enough.
If variable insurance isn’t right for you, here are several alternatives to suit various needs:
Variable life insurance requires more involvement on the policyholder’s part, given the additional flexibility and ability to select investments. Policyholders may enjoy faster potential growth but also bear the risk of losses if investments underperform. Therefore, variable insurance could be a good option if you have a higher risk tolerance and prefer a more active approach to your policy.
If you’re interested in getting a life insurance policy, Aflac has you covered with a variety of options. Speak with an agent today to learn more and find the right policy type for you.
1Forbes - What Is Variable Life Insurance? Updated June 1, 2023. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/life-insurance/variable-life-insurance/. Accessed March 21, 2024.
Coverage underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. In New York, coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York. 68000: In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma, & Virginia, Policies: ICC1368100, ICC1368200, ICC1368300, ICC1368400. In Delaware, Policies A68100-A68400. In New York, NY68100-NY68400. In Virginia, Policies ICC0965JTO & ICC0965JWO. 65000: In VA, Policies ICC0965JTO & ICC0965JWO. B61000: In AR, ID, OK, & VA Policies: ICC18B61JWO & ICC18B61JTO. In DE, Policies B61JWO, B61JTO. B6000: In AR, ID, OK, PA, TX, & VA, Policies: ICC18B60C10, ICC18B60100, ICC18B60200, ICC18B60300, & ICC18B60400. Q6000 Whole: In AR, DE & OR, Policy Q60100M. In ID Policy Q60100MID. In OK, Policy Q60100MOK. Q6000 Term: In DE, Policies Q60200M. In AR, ID, OK, Policies ICC18Q60200M, ICC18Q60300C, ICC18Q60400C.
Coverage is underwritten by Tier One Insurance Company. Final Expense: Arkansas, Delaware, Idaho, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, & Virginia, Policies ICC21-AFLLBL21 and ICC21-AFLRPL21; and Riders ICC21-AFLABR22, ICC21-AFLADB22, and ICC21-AFLCDR22. Aflac Final Expense policies are not available in New York.
Aflac Final Expense insurance coverage is underwritten by Tier One Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Aflac Incorporated and is administered by Aetna Life Insurance Company. Tier One Insurance Company is part of the Aflac family of insurers. In California, Tier One Insurance Company does business as Tier One Life Insurance Company (Tier One NAIC 92908).
This is a brief product overview only. Coverage may not be available in all states including but not limited to DE, ID, NJ, NH, NM, NY, or VA. Benefits/premium rates may vary based on plan selected. Optional riders are available at an additional cost. The policy has limitations and exclusions that may affect benefits payable. Refer to the policy for complete details, limitations, and exclusions. For costs and complete details of the coverage, please contact your local Aflac agent.
The content herein is provided for general informational purposes and is not provided as tax, legal, health or financial advice for any person or for any specific situation. Employers, employees and other individuals should contact their own advisers about their situations. Receipt of accelerated death benefits may affect eligibility for public assistance programs. Benefits may also be taxable, and are not expected to receive the same favorable tax treatment as other types of accelerated death benefits that may be available.
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Aflac New York | 22 Corporate Woods Boulevard, Suite 2 | Albany, NY 12211
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