It seems these days that as a life insurance agent you cannot be on the fence when it comes to the discussion of term vs. whole life . There are basically two camps. Level term life insurance.
Most agents and financial planners, including Suze Orman and Dave Ramsey, have declared war on whole life insurance . It all seems so black and white. But is it really?
There are many life insurance websites that espouse the benefits of term life insurance vs. whole life insurance . However, it is important to not get lost in the back and forth and remember that each has a unique place in the life insurance landscape. Although we agree that term life is usually the best choice, there are certainly times when whole life is better than term life .
What Term Life Insurance is Not
The following article on term life insurance is meant to help our visitors make an informed decision on the right type of life insurance policy, based on each client’s specific need, health and lifestyle.
Level Term Life Insurance Defined
Level Term Life Insurance DEFINITION: it is a valuable, cost efficient tool that enables the user to insure his or her life in order to provide financial protection for his or her beneficiaries for a guaranteed set period of time, offering a guaranteed death benefit and level premium payment during the term.
This is in contrast with decreasing term life insurance where the death benefit face amount goes down over the life of the term, while the premium remains level.
About Level Term Life Insurance
Life insurance sales in the U.S. began way back in the 1760s. Source. Overtime, the art of insuring a human life has become finely tuned. So much so that term life insurance premiums are at close to all-time lows in the United States. The low premiums are due in large part to the advances in actuarial science.
Term life insurance actuaries use life expectancy charts and mortality table estimates (and a few extra proprietary ingredients) to determine term life insurance rates .
Depending on your health, your life expectancy, your hobbies, occupation, etc. will determine your life insurance health classification . Your health classification is then used in conjunction with your age to determine your premium. Everyone in the same health class and the same age and gender as you will pay the same premium payment for the specific face amount and term length.
The most popular term length is 20 year term insurance due to its low price and reasonable long period of protection.
The amount of coverage someone can qualify for is typically based on a multiple of income. The applicants income is multiplied by a factor based on age.
Although it varies slightly from one carrier to the next, for applicants under 40, the multiple of income typically available is 25 times.
For ages 41-50 the multiple of income drops to 20. Ages 51-55 have a multiple of income of 15. Ages 56-65 have a multiple of income of 10. For ages 66-70 the multiple of income drops to 5. And for ages 71+, each applicant is considered on a case by case basis.
Cheap auto insurance
For a non working spouse, carriers will usually allow the non working spouse to get as much coverage as the working spouse, up to a million dollar life insurance policy.
Now that you have a basic understanding of what term life insurance is, let’s move on to what term life insurance is not.
Term life insurance is not a lottery ticket
We need to point at the outset that life insurance is meant to replace, not create, value. The idea behind term life insurance is that it provides income replacement for lost wages. It might be better coined “death insurance” since it covers you if you die, not necessarily if you live.
Term life insurance provides those you love with the money you would have were you still alive. That is why a good rule of thumb in determining how much term life insurance coverage to get is to multiply your income by ten. That way, when you die, your family gets 10 years of income replacement.
Term life insurance is not an investment
If you are looking to invest your money, life insurance is typically not the best option. That is why many financial planners recommend buying term life and investing the difference between the cost of term and whole life. Financial gurus Suze Orman and Dave Ramsey are two of the most outspoken advocates for this approach.
Although it is not an investment, term life is an excellent way to leverage your wealth. Due to the relatively low premiums of term, a small monthly payment can create a huge financial benefit to those you love. And the younger you are, the lower your monthly premium will be.
Level Term Life Insurance Quotes
Sample level term life insurance rates are based on a male at a preferred plus health class as of February 19, 2017 from A rated carriers.
Level term life insurance is not a savings account
Term builds no cash value. One of the primary benefits of cash value life insurance or universal life insurance is cash value accumulation. The reason people want cash value is so they can withdraw proceeds from the policy down the road for various reasons, including in an emergency, to start a business, to fund an adventure, supplement retirement, etc.
However, since term builds no cash value, the policy contains no cash value to withdraw from. Just know that cash value comes with a price. Term life is much more affordable (5-10 times less) than whole life. Cash value has its place but it is not necessary for everyone.
Return of premium term life insurance allows the owner of the policy to recoup all premiums paid upon the end of the term. Among the different companies we represent, Assurity, AIG, Mutual of Omaha and Voya offer term with ROP riders.
The pros of term life with a ROP rider are:
All premiums returned upon end of term
The cons of term life with a ROP rider are:
Term life insurance is not a guarantee
Term life is an affordable way to protect you family should something terrible happen. It is an excellent option for providing protection for your loved one, business, or simply to pay off debt should you die. However, the policy only lasts for the term length, typically 10-30 years. Once it expires, you can keep it but the premiums will increase annually with most companies.
Term life insurance not an ideal estate planning tool
The main reason someone would use life insurance as part of an estate plan would be to avoid taxes or to supplement the taxable portion of a large estate.
If your goal is estate preservation, term life will not provide the long term coverage that is needed.
Term life insurance is not an ideal business succession tool
When considering an exit strategy for your business, one potential option is to fund a buy sell agreement with life insurance . Since you desire the coverage to provide for your business succession plan no matter when you die, choosing permanent life insurance makes the most sense.
However, rather than choose permanent coverage from the start, another alternative might be worth considering.
An alternative strategy would be to choose term life while the business is growing and liquid assets are scarce. Since term life offers a conversion option, you can always convert the policy to permanent life coverage down the road when money is not as tight.
The big advantage with this option is you free up cash in the early stages of the business, while at the same time providing security for your business, family, or both.
Term life insurance is not something that should be paid after your cell phone or cable bill!
It should be valued as a potential lifesaving product, providing income replacement for your children and spouse.
It is amazing to talk to people who have no life insurance but have cable television. Where exactly are your priorities?
If you value entertainment more than securing your family’s financial future, you might need to re-evaluate your priorities!
Term life insurance is not something you should go without
For anyone with a family, term life is an inexpensive way to provide security. Further, even those who do not have a spouse and children, having some coverage in place to provide financial support for your loved ones should you die prematurely is simply a prudent and loving act.
Liberty life insurance
The best way to determine which type of life insurance works best for you is to speak to a licensed professional at TermLife2Go .
We will help guide you through the selection process, aligning you with the best life insurance companies and policies based on your unique need, health and lifestyle.
Thank you for reading our article, What is Level Term Life Insurance. Please leave any feedback or questions below.
I’m looking at a term life policy (grandfathered since May 12, 1987). I left dividends with the company to accumulate interest. I have cashed only twice over the years. So far, the interest is at $1,140.32 and the current dividend is at $557.00. Premium is $50.00 (it had increased about $5.00 since last year, 2017). The current dividend amount of $557.00 has remained the same for many months now. The insurance company regularly renews my term insurance policy every five years, but I believe they may not renew come May 12, 2018 because I’m two years shy of 60 years old. What do you suggest?
We’d love to help you out with this. We’ll need some additional information from you so an agent will be reaching out to you shortly at the email you left in your comment. You can also always call us at 888-234-8376 and we’ll be able to assist you immediately.
I JUST TURNED 62 ON 2/13/2017(DOB 2/13/1955). I LIVE IN FLORIDA, & I’M A NON-SMOKER.
I’M LOOKING FOR $25,000 STRAIGHT TERM LIFE INSURANCE FOR A PERIOD OF 15-20yrs.
Most life insurance companies aren’t going to be interested in offering a term life insurance policy for just $25,000 in coverage. If you are set on purchasing a term life insurance policy we would recommend that you take a look at $100,000 in coverage.
More companies will offer $100,000 in coverage which should theoretically translate into more competition thus better pricing.
Comments
There are no comments for this post "Level Term Life Insurance Top Tips and Best Advice". Be the first to comment...
Add Comment