What is life insurance, and how does it work?

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Ask most people what life insurance is, and they’ll tell you it’s a policy you buy that pays money to your family if you pass away. Ask them to explain key policy features, the different kinds of policies available, how they work – and they’ll probably try to change the subject.

But if you’re looking for life insurance those things are important. This article will help answer your questions – specifically: 

• What are the key features of a life insurance policy?

• How do different kinds of life insurance policies work?

• What are the benefits of life insurance at different stages of life?

• FAQs about life insurance

Each life insurance policy is different, and each state’s laws regulating insurance policies are different. Before purchasing a life insurance policy, you should consult with a life insurance professional. It also may also be a good idea to consult with your legal or tax advisor. The information provided below is general guidance only and should not be relied on in connection with any specific policy.

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What is a life insurance policy, and what are its key features? 

• A life insurance policy is an agreement between an insurance company and a person (or legal entity). Each life insurance policy is different, and each state’s laws regulating insurance policies are different. In general, most insurance policies identify the following:

• The insurer: Only certain companies can provide life insurance, and these companies are regulated by state insurance departments.

• The policyholder: The person or entity (such as a family trust or a business) which owns (or “holds”) the policy. The policy can insure the holder, or it can insure another person.

• The insured: The person whose life is insured.

• The death benefit: The amount the insurer will pay when the insured passes away.1

• The beneficiaries: The people or entities that will receive the death benefit. It can all go to a single person (e.g., a surviving spouse) or it can be divided by percentage among many different people and entities (e.g., three children could each get 30% and 10% could go to a charity).

• The policy length: The time period that the insurer agrees to pay a death benefit. This can be a specific term (e.g., 10 or 20 years) or it can be permanent – a policy that lasts for the life of the insured for as long as premiums are paid.

• The premium: The monthly or yearly payments needed to keep the policy in effect.

• The cash value: Permanent life policies, like whole life insurance, have a cash value component that builds over time2 and can be cashed out or borrowed against.3 A term policy has no cash value.

 

What are the different kinds of life insurance policies and how do they work?

• There are two basic types of life insurance: Term and permanent life insurance.

 

• A term life insurance policy provides coverage for a specific period of time, typically between 10 and 30 years. It is sometimes called “pure life insurance” because unlike the permanent policy or whole life insurance, there’s no cash value component to the policy – once the term is over, there’s nothing left.

• Permanent life insurance provides coverage that lasts your entire life.4 Unlike term, it’s not a “pure life insurance” product because it includes a cash value component which helps make coverage last while the insured is alive and premiums are paid, and while providing other financial benefits. A portion of your premium dollars are invested, and your cash value grows tax-deferred5 over time – but the entire death benefit is immediately payable from the first day you have the policy. The cash value on the other hand, may take some years to build up to a significant amount.6 Provides financial protection the entire lifetime of the insured, or to age 100. Premiums remain the same for the life of the insured or as long as premiums are paid. During the early years of the insurance policy the premiums are greater than the amount necessary to pay policy costs. The excess accumulates cash value in the policy to offset increased insurance costs as the insured ages, or to fund the non-forfeiture provisions of the contract.

• There are two main types of permanent insurance: whole and universal life. Whole life insurance is simpler – the premium remains the same for life, the death benefit is guaranteed,7 and the cash value grows at a guaranteed rate. Universal life insurance can be less expensive, but the premiums, death benefit, and cash value growth rate can vary, making the policy more complex.8 

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What benefits do people get from life insurance at different stages in life? 

• Life insurance can be a powerful tool for protecting your financial confidence – and especially the financial confidence of the people who depend on you – so most adults should consider it. However, before you get a policy you should ask yourself: what type of financial protection do you need at this point in your life?

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Now that you know what it is, how do you get a policy that works for your needs?

• There’s one more thing you should know about life insurance: the longer you wait to buy it, the more expensive it typically gets. Don’t put things off. If you can purchase life insurance through your employer, that’s a great place to start. You can get a basic level of coverage at very attractive group rates – but don’t assume it’s enough.

• Life insurance is one of the most consequential financial purchases you can make – and it’s worth taking the time to look into all your options in order to get the coverage that best fits your needs. If you have a financial representative you trust, talk to them about your needs. If not, We can connect you with a financial representative who will listen to your needs, tell you about the best ways to meet those needs within your budget, then help you decide. You can also get an online quote using our term life insurance calculator.

• If you are an employee, taking advantage of your benefits at work is a smart and affordable way to get the financial protection you want for yourself and your family. Contact your HR department to review your benefit details and determine how much life insurance is available to you. Your employer may provide life insurance as a benefit, or you may opt to pay for additional life insurance through payroll deductions.

 

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• Frequently asked questions about life insurance 

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What does life insurance cost?

• The cost of a policy – for a given level of death benefit – can vary greatly depending on the type of policy (i.e., term or permanent) and all the variables that can affect your life expectancy – age, weight, health, gender, lifestyle, occupation, and risk factors such as smoking.

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How can a life insurance policy be tailored to my needs?

• Almost all life insurance policies have optional features called riders that can provide valuable added benefits that tailor the policy to your needs.12 For example, some has riders that can help protect family assets by paying for chronic care and end-of-life needs while the insured is still alive.

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Can I buy a policy that lets me increase my coverage later on?

• Yes, certain permanent life insurance policies have a benefit increase rider that allow you to increase the death benefit at certain intervals (e.g., every three years) without a new medical exam or evidence of insurability.

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• Disclaimer

1 All whole life insurance policy guarantees are subject to the timely payment of all required premiums and the claims paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Policy loans and withdrawals affect the guarantees by reducing the policy’s death benefit and cash values.

 

2 Some whole life polices do not have cash values in the first two years of the policy and don’t pay a dividend until the policy’s third year. Talk to your financial representative and refer to your individual whole life policy illustration for more information

 

3 Policy benefits are reduced by any outstanding loan or loan interest and/or withdrawals. Dividends, if any, are affected by policy loans and loan interest. Withdrawals above the cost basis may result in taxable ordinary income. If the policy lapses, or is surrendered, any outstanding loans considered gain in the policy may be subject to ordinary income taxes. If the policy is a Modified Endowment Contract (MEC), loans are treated like withdrawals, but as gain first, subject to ordinary income taxes. If the policy owner is under 59 ½, any taxable withdrawal may also be subject to a 10% federal tax penalty.

 

4 Only as long as you pay your premium.

5 SunState Health,llc, Tampa Bay Senior Solutions and its subsidiaries, agents and employees do not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. Consult your tax, legal, or accounting professional regarding your individual situation.

 

6 In years one and two of the policy there is typically no cash value.

 

7 All whole life insurance policy guarantees are subject to the timely payment of all required premiums and the claims paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Policy loans and withdrawals affect the guarantees by reducing the policy’s death benefit and cash values.

 

8 Universal Life Insurance may lapse prematurely due to inadequate funding (low or no premium), increase in cost of insurance rates as the insured grows older, and a low interest crediting rate. This does not apply to universal life policies which have a secondary guarantee, but if the secondary guarantee requirements are not met the policy will most likely lapse.

 

9 Universal Life Insurance may lapse prematurely due to inadequate funding (low or no premium), increase in cost of insurance rates as the insured grows older, and a low interest crediting rate. This does not apply to universal life policies which have a secondary guarantee, but if the secondary guarantee requirements are not met the policy will most likely lapse.

 

10 Cost depends on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to: age, weight, health, gender, lifestyle, occupation, and risk factors such as smoking.

 

11  SunState Health,llc, Tampa Bay Senior Solutions and its subsidiaries, agents and employees do not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. Consult your tax, legal, or accounting professional regarding your individual situation.

 

12 Riders may incur an additional cost or premium. Riders may not be available in all states.