{"id":3912,"date":"2023-10-30T15:34:35","date_gmt":"2023-10-30T15:34:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businessyield.com\/ins\/?p=3912"},"modified":"2023-11-04T19:13:56","modified_gmt":"2023-11-04T19:13:56","slug":"term-and-whole-life-insurance-whats-the-difference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businessyield.com\/ins\/life-insurance\/term-and-whole-life-insurance-whats-the-difference\/","title":{"rendered":"Term and Whole Life Insurance: What\u2019s The Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Two of the most common types of life insurance are term and whole life. Life insurance benefits your loved ones when the inevitable happens. While it can be tough to think about your own death, choosing the right term or whole life insurance policy can protect your household and allow you to leave a legacy to those you care about the most.<\/p>

Whole life is a form of permanent life insurance that lasts as long as you live (assuming you pay the policy\u2019s premiums). It also includes a cash value account\u2014a type of savings account that grows tax-free over time and that you can withdraw from or borrow against while you are alive. <\/p>

Term life insurance, on the other hand, lasts only for a certain number of years (the term) and does not accrue any cash value. If you\u2019re not sure where to buy these policies, you can select either a term or a whole life insurance policy from one of the best life insurance companies.<\/p>

What is term life insurance?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>

Term life insurance provides a death benefit that pays the beneficiaries of the policyholder throughout a specified period of time. Once the term expires, the policyholder can either renew it for another term, possibly convert the policy to permanent coverage, or allow the term life insurance policy to lapse.<\/p>

When you buy a term life insurance policy, the insurance company determines the premium based on the policy\u2019s value (the payout amount) and such factors as your age, gender, and health. Other considerations affecting rates include the company\u2019s business expenses, how much it earns from its investments, and mortality rates for each age.<\/p>

In some cases, a medical exam may be required. The insurance company may also inquire about your driving record, current medications, smoking status, occupation, hobbies, family history, and similar information.<\/p>

If you die during the policy term, the insurer will pay the policy\u2019s face value to your beneficiaries. This cash benefit \u2014 which is not typically taxable \u2014 may be used by beneficiaries to settle your healthcare and funeral costs, consumer debt, mortgage debt, and other expenses. However, beneficiaries are not required to use the insurance proceeds to settle the deceased\u2019s debts.<\/p>

If the policy expires before your death or you live beyond the policy term, there is no payout. You may be able to renew a term policy at expiration, but the premiums will be recalculated based on your age at the time of renewal.<\/p>

Types of term life insurance<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>

There are several types of term life insurance. The best option will depend on your individual circumstances. Generally, most companies offer terms ranging from 10 to 30 years, although a few offer 35- and 40-year terms.<\/p>

Level-term or level-premium policy<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>

Level-premium insurance has a fixed monthly payment for the life of the policy. Most term life insurance has a level premium, and it\u2019s the type we\u2019ve been referring to in most of this article. As we mentioned before, this type of policy generally provides coverage for a period ranging from 10 to 30 years. The death benefit is also fixed.<\/p>

Because actuaries must account for the increasing costs of insurance over the life of the policy\u2019s effectiveness, the level premium is comparatively higher than yearly renewable term life insurance.<\/p>

Yearly Renewable Term (YRT) Policy<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>

Yearly renewable term (YRT) policies are one-year policies that can be renewed each year without providing evidence of insurability.<\/p>

The premiums rise from year to year as the insured person ages. Thus, the premiums can become prohibitively expensive as the policyholder ages. But they may be a good option for someone who needs temporary insurance.<\/p>

Decreasing term policy<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>

These policies have a death benefit that declines each year according to a predetermined schedule. The policyholder pays a fixed-level premium for the duration of the policy.<\/p>

Decreasing term policies are often used in concert with a mortgage, with the policyholder matching the payout of the insurance to the declining principal of the home loan.<\/p>

Benefits and drawbacks of Term Life Insurance<\/strong><\/h3>

Benefits<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>