A Whole Life Policy

Whole Life plan is also called as straight life, ordinary life. It remains throughout the insured whole lifetime provided the premiums are paid. A certain aforementioned amount is paid to the nominee in the event the insured dies. The policyholder at any time withdraw the policy or borrow against it. The maturity age for this policy is 100 years. If the insured lives past the maturity age, the policy will become matured endowment. The death benefit under this plan is tax free.

How Does it Work?

Whole life plans are very different from other types of life insurance plans. Understanding how they work can also help you decide whether they are fit for you or not. A whole life plan can be purchased against a payment which can be made as a one-off sum, on a monthly or a yearly basis. If you have purchased a unit-linked whole life policy, then your funds will be directed not only towards the purchase of your life insurance for payment of the sum assured amount and the remainder of the amount will be invested in an investment fund. In case of unit-linked/flexible whole life policies, the insurer will regularly review the policy to compare whether the value of the policy is equivalent with the cost of the life assurance which it is providing. In case the investment fund, where the remainder of the money is invested, is not performing to help cover the cost of benefits, your insurer may suggest you to either reduce the amount of your sum assured or to increase your regular contribution. Additionally, certain whole life policies also give customers the option of obtaining cover against specific illnesses or disability.

Benefits of Whole Life Policy:

1.      Cover For Life

The insured will get cover for his entire life unlike other life insurance plans that is fixed for a certain period. The other life insurance plans will expire and it will be expensive to take another one when you really want one. In the event you die, a lump sum tax free amount is paid to the nominee. If you outlive the term, you will not receive any return. For example if a 25 year old takes a whole life plan at the age of 25 years, he will receive a lump sum payment at the age of 45, the age at which his 20 year premium payment term will expire. He can use this money for his retirement and also his cover will continue till he turns 100 or till the date he dies.

2.      Assurance Of Coverage, Periodic Payments And Tax Benefits

The survival benefits will be built over time which keeps increasing over time. You will get lifetime coverage along with guaranteed level premiums for a limited premium payment term. The premium is constant throughout the premium payment term. Sum assured is guaranteed and the bonuses are declared based on the performance. Some companies offer survival benefit from the end of the premium payment term till the policy matures. Tax benefits are also available to the insured under Section 80C and Section 10(10D) of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

3.      Serves As A Source Of Cash

Financial experts believe that a person must keep 6-8 month’s living expenses in the form of liquid asset. It is however difficult to reserve such a huge cash while meeting retirement and long term saving goals. But with a whole life plan, you can get the cash at the end of the premium payment term.

4.      Loan Option Available On Your Whole Life Plan Policy

The surrender value of the policy increases over time and you can borrow against the policy’s surrender value at any time. This is a better alternative against borrowing against home or retirement accounts.

5.      Your Dependents Will Benefit From This Plan

The return will prove to be an additional financial source in the family. This plan is ideal for estate planning individuals who want to pass on their estate to their legal heir as it helps create wealth.