# What Is Universal Life (UL) Insurance?

## What Is Universal Life (UL) Insurance?

Universal life (UL) insurance is a type of [permanent life insurance](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/permanentlife.asp) that, like other permanent insurance, has a [cash value](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/cash-value-life-insurance.asp) element and offers lifetime coverage as long as you pay your [premiums](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/insurance-premium.asp). Unlike whole life insurance, universal life allows you to raise or lower your premiums within certain limits, and it can be cheaper than whole life coverage. However, if your investments underperform or you underpay for too long, it could affect your [death benefit](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/deathbenefit.asp) or cause your policy to lapse.

### Key Takeaways

*   Universal life (UL) insurance is a form of permanent life insurance with an investment savings element plus premiums and a death benefit that are flexible.
*   Unlike term life insurance, a UL insurance policy can accumulate cash value.
*   The cash value earns an interest rate set by the insurer, and it can change frequently, although there is usually a minimum rate that the policy can earn.
*   If the investments underperform, your cash value can go down and your premiums could eventually go up.
*   There are no tax implications for policyholders who borrow against the accumulated cash value of their UL policy, although some withdrawals may be taxed.

## How Universal Life (UL) Insurance Works

UL insurance provides [more flexibility](https://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/07/whole_universal.asp) than whole life insurance. Policyholders can adjust their premiums and death benefits. UL insurance premiums consist of two components: a cost of insurance (COI) amount and a saving component, known as the cash value.

As the name implies, the COI is the minimum amount of a premium payment required to keep the policy active. It consists of several items rolled together into one payment. COI includes the charges for mortality, policy administration, and other directly associated expenses to keep the life insurance policy in force. COI will vary by policy based on the policyholder’s age, insurability, and the insured risk amount.

Collected premiums in excess of the cost of UL insurance accumulate within the cash value portion of the policy. Over time, the cost of insurance will increase as the insured ages. However, if sufficient, the accumulated cash value will cover the increases in the COI.

![Universal Life Insurance](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/HDgf6dmcUKZ1FdjtWPqwL0jEogg=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/universallife.asp_final-89869733efb04ea985873df2c74f4e3f.png)

*Investopedia / Ellen Lindner. — Ellen Lindner / Investopedia*

## Advantages and Disadvantages of Universal Life Insurance

Pros

*   Flexible premiums
    
*   Possible flexible death benefit  
    
*   Potential cash value growth  
    
*   Allows policy loans
    

Cons

*   Risk of large payment requirements or policy lapse  
    
*   Returns are not guaranteed
    
*   Some withdrawals are taxed  
    
*   Cash value lost at policyholder’s death
    

## Pros Explained

### Flexible Premiums

Unlike whole life insurance policies, which have fixed premiums over the life of the policy, a UL insurance policy generally has flexible premiums—within limits. Policyholders can make payments that are more than the COI. The excess premium is added to the cash value and accumulates [interest](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/interest.asp). Alternatively, if there is enough cash value, policyholders may lower or skip payments without the threat of a policy lapse.  

### Possible Flexible Death Benefit

Your policy may allow you to increase the size of your death benefit, although that may require a medical exam. You may also be able to lower your death benefit to lower your premiums.

### Potential Cash Value Growth

Like all permanent life insurance, a UL insurance policy can [accumulate cash value](https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/020916/universal-life-how-much-cash-value-retirement.asp) in something like a savings account. The cash value earns interest based on the current market or the policy’s minimum interest rate, whichever is greater. As it accumulates, policyholders may take out a portion of the cash value in the form of partial withdrawals or loans.  

### Allows Policy Loans

Universal life policyholders may borrow against the accumulated cash value without tax implications. The [interest rates](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/interestrate.asp) on these loans are often lower than rates available for a personal loan, and they don’t require a credit check. However, unpaid [loans](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/loan.asp) will reduce the death benefit by the outstanding amount.  

## Cons Explained

### Risk of Large Payment Requirements or Policy Lapse

While the ability to lower your premiums and to make withdrawals in times of need help make universal life a very flexible insurance type, you have to watch your account carefully. If your cash value falls to zero and your premiums don’t cover the cost of insurance, then your policy can lapse.

### Returns Are Not Guaranteed

If interest rates drop, your cash value may not perform well. Unlike whole life, universal life cash value does not earn a guaranteed rate. However, most UL policies come with a minimum rate so that your losses are limited.  

### Some Withdrawals Are Taxable

When UL policyholders withdraw some of the cash value, it will be taxable. In general, life insurance is taxed on a [first in, first out (FIFO)](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/fifo.asp) method, meaning that the policy owner will receive their investment in the contract first before receiving any gains in the policy (or being taxed on those gains). However, if you withdraw more than you’ve paid into the policy, your withdrawals will be taxed.

### Cash Value Lost at Policyholder’s Death

When a policyholder dies, the insurance company keeps the account’s cash value. Your beneficiaries will be paid just the death benefit, as the policyholder can only use the cash value while they are alive. However, some life insurance policies allow you to increase the death benefit as you build the cash value.

## Universal Life Insurance vs. Term Life Insurance vs. Whole Life Insurance

Universal life is a form of permanent life insurance that gives policyholders flexibility in paying premiums, a cash savings component, and a death benefit.

Universal life insurance allows you to borrow against or cash in your savings portion, which grows tax-deferred over your lifetime. [Term life](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/termlife.asp) provides coverage, often through an employer, for a set number of years, generally 20 or 30, and expires once the term is up. [Term life is usually more affordable](https://www.investopedia.com/most-affordable-life-insurance-5092439), with low premiums, but there isn’t a cash component to borrow from or cash in, nor is there a death benefit if you die after the term is up.

> **Tip**
>
> UL premium costs may change with interest rates and as the policyholder grows older.

Whole life insurance is also a form of permanent life insurance, with a cash value savings component. An important difference between universal life and whole life insurance, however, is that the UL interest rate is not guaranteed. It is set by the insurer and can change frequently. [Whole life insurance](https://www.investopedia.com/whole-life-insurance-pros-and-cons-5079309) premiums are fixed for the life of the policy, whereas universal life premiums can vary.

[Cash value and death benefits are guaranteed](https://www.investopedia.com/what-is-guaranteed-universal-life-insurance-8685220) with whole life, but not with universal life.

## What is universal life (UL) insurance, and how does it work?

UL insurance policies are a form of permanent life insurance with flexible premiums. Unlike term life, UL policies can accumulate interest-bearing funds like a savings account. Also, policyholders can adjust their premiums and possibly their death benefit, and those paying extra toward their premium receive interest on that excess.

## What is the biggest disadvantage of universal life insurance?

A big disadvantage is that you need to keep an eye on the cash value. If you don’t, then the policy could become underfunded, meaning you’ll have to make big payments to keep the policy active. Also, there is risk that when interest rates drop, your cash value won’t grow as much as you had hoped. However, there is typically a minimum interest rate, so you’re somewhat protected.

## Which is better: whole life or universal life?

Both whole life and universal life are forms of permanent life insurance and provide a cash value savings component that policyholders may borrow from or cash out. Whole life offers fixed premiums, while UL premiums may start out lower but are flexible, so they may increase as you age. Depending on the amount of coverage and flexibility that you want in a permanent policy, either form may be a good choice for your situation.

## What is the difference between universal life and whole life insurance?

Whole life insurance is more stable because the death benefit will never go down if you pay your premiums, which are fixed monthly amounts. Universal life insurance offers more flexibility, but your death benefit isn’t guaranteed. You can increase or decrease the amount you spend on premiums with universal life, and you may be able to adjust your death benefit with some policies.

## Can I cash out my universal life insurance policy?

Yes, you can sell your universal life insurance policy, or you can liquidate the cash value component and cancel the policy, but you may have to pay a [surrender fee](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/surrendercharge.asp) if you haven’t passed the surrender period.

## The Bottom Line

Universal life (UL) insurance is a form of permanent life insurance with an investment savings element, loan options, and flexible premiums. UL policies provide the option to raise or lower premiums, within limits, so they can be less expensive than whole life coverage. You just have to be careful that your cash value doesn’t drop so low that either you pay large sums in premiums or the policy lapses.

There are no tax implications for policyholders who borrow against the cash value of their UL insurance policy, but interest will be charged on the loan amount, and any unpaid amounts may be taken from the death benefit. Policyholders should also be careful about withdrawals from the policy, as some may be taxable. As with other forms of permanent life insurance, the insurer will retain the account’s cash value after death.

> **Article Sources**
>
> 1.  Guardian. “[Universal Life Insurance](https://www.guardianlife.com/life-insurance/universal-life).”
>     
> 2.  MassMutual. “[Universal Life Insurance](https://www.massmutual.com/insurance/life-insurance/universal-life).” Footnote.
>     
> 3.  John Hancock Insurance. “[Income Taxation of Life Insurance](https://sales.johnhancockinsurance.com/content/dam/JHINS/documents/life/advanced-markets1/Because-You-Asked/LIFE-7154_taxation_of_life_insurance.pdf)." Page 3.
>     
> 4.  Henssler Financial. “[Are Withdrawals from a Cash Value Life Insurance Policy Ever Tax Free?](https://www.henssler.com/are-withdrawals-from-a-cash-value-life-insurance-policy-ever-tax-free/)”
>     
> 5.  Insure.com. “[What Happens to the Cash Value of My Whole Life Insurance Policy When I Die?](https://www.insure.com/life-insurance-faq/leftover-cash-value-life-insurance.html)”