Everything You Need to Know About Combination Life Insurance

Shawn Plummer

CEO, The Annuity Expert

If you are looking for life insurance, you may have come across the term “combination life insurance.” But what is it, and is it right for you? This guide will discuss everything you need to know about combination insurance. We will cover what it is, how it works, and who should consider buying it. By the end of this guide, you can make an informed decision about whether or not combination insurance is right for you!

What Is Combination Life Insurance?

Combination life insurance, also known as universal life insurance or variable universal life insurance, is a type of permanent life insurance that combines the death benefit protection of traditional life insurance with the ability to accumulate cash value. This type of policy offers policyholders the ability to provide financial protection for their loved ones in the event of their death and save and invest for their future.

With combination insurance, policyholders have more flexibility regarding premium payments and death benefit amounts, as they can vary the number of premium payments and the benefit amount within certain limits. In addition, the cash value component of combination insurance can be invested in various options such as stocks, bonds, or mutual funds, allowing for the potential for the cash value to grow at a faster rate than traditional life insurance.

What Are The Benefits Of Combination Life Insurance?

Combination insurance, also known as universal life insurance, offers several benefits over traditional term life insurance. Some of these benefits include:

  • Flexibility: Universal life insurance allows policyholders to adjust the coverage they need over time and make changes to their premium payments, including the option of a lump sum payment.
  • Cash value: A portion of the premium payments made on a combination insurance policy goes into a cash value account that the policyholder can access if needed.
  • Investment opportunities: The cash value account in a universal life insurance policy can be invested in various options, such as stocks or bonds, which can potentially provide a higher rate of return than a traditional savings account. This can be a great way to potentially earn all the money on the cash value component of your life insurance policy.
  • Tax advantages: The cash value account in a combination insurance policy grows tax-deferred, meaning that policyholders do not have to pay taxes on the interest earned until they withdraw the funds.
  • Potential to last a lifetime: Universal life insurance policies do not have a set term, unlike term life insurance. The policy will remain in force if the policyholder continues to pay the premiums.

What Are The Costs Of Combination Life Insurance Policies?

The costs of combination insurance policies, also known as universal life insurance policies, can vary depending on several factors. Some of the costs to consider include the following:

  • Premiums: When buying life insurance, it’s essential to consider the type of policy that best suits your needs and budget. The premiums for a combination insurance policy, also known as a hybrid life insurance policy, are typically higher than those for a term life insurance policy, as a portion of the premium goes into a cash value account. This cash value component can be invested to grow over time, increasing the policy’s overall cost.
  • Administrative fees: Some combination insurance policies may have additional administrative fees, such as policy fees or mortality and expense risk charges.
  • Surrender charges: If the policyholder decides to cancel their policy or withdraw funds from the cash value account before a certain point, they may be subject to surrender charges.
  • Investment risk: The cash value account in a combination insurance policy can be invested in various options, such as stocks or bonds, which can potentially provide a higher rate of return than a traditional savings account. However, this also means that there is an investment risk, and the value of the cash value account can fluctuate depending on the performance of the underlying investments.

What Are Some Of The Most Popular Types Of Combination Life Insurance?

Some popular types of combination insurance include:

  • Whole life insurance: This type of insurance combines a death benefit with a savings component and typically remains in force for the insured’s entire life.
  • Universal life insurance: This type of insurance combines a death benefit with savings or components, but it typically has more flexibility regarding premium payments and the benefit amount.
  • Term life insurance with a savings component: This type of insurance combines a death benefit with a savings component, but it typically only remains in force for a specific term, such as 10, 20, or 30 years.
  • Variable life insurance: This type of insurance combines a death benefit with a savings component, but the savings component is invested in various investment options, such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.

How Does Combination Life Insurance Differ From Traditional Life Insurance?

Combination insurance is a type of permanent life insurance that combines the death benefit protection of traditional life insurance with the ability to accumulate cash value. Traditional life insurance, also known as term life insurance, provides a death benefit but does not accumulate cash value.

One of the main differences between the two is that with combination insurance, policyholders have more flexibility regarding premium payments and death benefit amounts, as they can vary the number of premium payments and the death benefit amount within certain limits. Additionally, the cash value component of combination insurance can be invested in various options such as stocks, bonds, or mutual funds, allowing for the potential for the cash value to grow at a faster rate than traditional life insurance.

On the other hand, traditional life insurance provides a guaranteed death benefit, the premium payments are generally fixed, and the death benefit amount also remains fixed. Therefore, it is generally less expensive than combination insurance.

How Does The Pricing Of Combination Life Insurance Differ From Traditional Life Insurance?

The pricing of combination life insurance can differ from traditional life insurance, such as term life insurance, in several ways:

  • Premiums: The premiums for a combination insurance policy are typically higher than those for a term life insurance policy, as a portion of the premium goes into a cash value account.
  • Age and health: The cost of the premiums for combination insurance policies can vary depending on the policyholder’s age and health. As with all life insurance policies, older individuals and those in poor health may pay higher premiums.
  • Flexibility: Univeral life insurance policies offer more flexibility in terms of adjusting coverage and premium payments, which can affect the cost of the policy.
  • Cash value: The cash value account in a combination insurance policy can earn interest, potentially providing a higher rate of return than a traditional savings account. This can also affect the overall cost of the policy.
  • Investment risk: The cash value account in a combination insurance policy can be invested in various options, such as stocks or bonds, which can potentially provide a higher rate of return than a traditional savings account. However, this also means that there is an investment risk, and the value of the cash value account can fluctuate depending on the performance of the underlying investments.

Are There Any Tax Advantages Or Disadvantages To Have A Combination Life?

The pricing of combination life insurance, also known as universal life insurance, can differ from traditional life insurance, such as term life insurance, in several ways:

  • Premiums: The premiums for a combination insurance policy are typically higher than those for a term life insurance policy, as a portion of the premium goes into a cash value account.
  • Age and health: The cost of the premiums for combination insurance policies can vary depending on the policyholder’s age and health. As with all life insurance policies, older individuals and those in poor health may pay higher premiums.
  • Flexibility: Combination insurance policies offer more flexibility in terms of adjusting coverage and premium payments, which can affect the cost of the policy.
  • Cash value: The cash value account in a combination insurance policy can earn interest, potentially providing a higher rate of return than a traditional savings account. This can also affect the overall cost of the policy.
  • Investment risk: The cash value account in a combination insurance policy can be invested in various options, such as stocks or bonds, which can potentially provide a higher rate of return than a traditional savings account. However, this also means that there is an investment risk, and the value of the cash value account can fluctuate depending on the performance of the underlying investments.

Next Steps

Combination life insurance can be an excellent choice for those looking to provide their loved ones with a life insurance benefit. However, it is essential to note that the premiums for these policies are relatively high, so it’s best to factor in this cost when considering this option.

If you have any doubts or pertinent questions regarding combination insurance, you should contact a qualified professional in your area who can further discuss this plan. After all, there’s nothing more valuable than having peace of mind knowing your family will be taken care of in the future. With this information in mind, if you are ready to take the next step and seek coverage for your loved ones, request a free quote from a reliable life insurance provider today!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Death Benefit Offered By A Combination Life Insurance Policy?

A combination life insurance policy typically offers a death benefit, which is a payout to the policy’s beneficiaries in the event of the policyholder’s death. The death benefits are usually a set amount, determined when the policy is purchased, and paid out tax-free to the beneficiaries.

The policy’s death benefit can cover expenses such as funeral costs, outstanding debts, and lost income for the policyholder’s dependents. The benefit amount can also vary depending on the type of policy; some may have the option to increase or decrease the benefit.

What Is The Difference Between A Combination Life Insurance Policy And A Permanent Life Insurance Policy?

A combination insurance policy, also known as a hybrid life insurance policy, is a type of life insurance that combines elements of both term and permanent life insurance. These hybrid life insurance policies typically offer a death benefit and a cash value component that can be invested to grow over time.

Some combination insurance policies also offer an accelerated death benefit rider, which allows the policyholder to access a portion of the benefit while they are still living, typically in the case of a terminal illness. These policies include health insurance coverage, medical expenses, treatment, and death benefits.

On the other hand, a permanent life insurance policy provides coverage for the policyholder’s entire lifetime. In addition, it typically has a cash value component that can be invested to grow over time.

When you buy life insurance from an insurance company, one key difference between these two types of policies is that combination policies tend to have higher premiums than permanent ones. This is because the combination policy’s cash value component can be invested to grow over time, which increases the policy’s overall cost.

How Long Can I Expect My Combination Life Insurance Policy To Last?

A combination insurance policy can last for the entirety of the policyholder’s life if it is a permanent policy, or it may have a fixed term. The duration of the policy will depend on the specific terms and conditions of the policy. Some factors that can affect the duration of a universal life insurance policy include:

  • Premium payments: If the policyholder stops making premium payments, the policy may lapse, and coverage will end.
  • Cash value: Some universal life insurance policies have a cash value component that can be used to pay premiums. If the cash value runs out, the policy may lapse, and coverage will end.
  • Guaranteed death benefit: Some universal life insurance policies may include a guaranteed death benefit that is guaranteed to be paid out regardless of the policy’s cash value.

Shawn Plummer

CEO, The Annuity Expert

I’m a licensed financial professional focusing on annuities and insurance for more than a decade. My former role was training financial advisors, including for a Fortune Global 500 insurance company. I’ve been featured in Time Magazine, Yahoo! Finance, MSN, SmartAsset, Entrepreneur, Bloomberg, The Simple Dollar, U.S. News and World Report, and Women’s Health Magazine.

The Annuity Expert is an online insurance agency servicing consumers across the United States. My goal is to help you take the guesswork out of retirement planning or find the best insurance coverage at the cheapest rates for you. 

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