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AIG Indexed Universal Life Insurance is a type of permanent life insurance that combines a death benefit with a savings component that can earn interest based on the performance of an external index, such as the S&P 500.
It can provide a guaranteed minimum interest rate, which is typically around 2-3% per year, depending on the policy and the index performance.
This means that even if the index performs poorly, you'll still earn a minimum return on your investment, providing some stability and predictability.
The interest earned on your policy is tax-deferred, meaning you won't have to pay taxes on it until you withdraw the funds.
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What Is?
Indexed universal life insurance is a type of permanent coverage that can last your entire life and build cash value.
It places the cash value in sub-accounts that mirror a stock index, such as the S&P 500. This is a key difference from other types of universal life insurance.
IUL insurance gives policyholders the flexibility to adjust their premiums and life insurance death benefit as needed.
Many IULs mature when the insured person reaches age 121, so it's essential to understand the policy's maturity date.
The cash value growth in IUL is tied to an index like the S&P 500, but the insurance company actually invests in things like bonds and mortgages.
A chunk of your premium payments goes toward the death benefit, another portion pays for administrative costs, and the rest is directed toward your cash value account.
The main difference between indexed universal life insurance and other universal life insurance policies is how cash value accumulates, making it complex with shifting components.
It's recommended to find a life insurance agent with a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation to help navigate the buying and management processes.
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How IUL Works
AIG Indexed Universal Life works similarly to universal life insurance, where you pay a premium to potentially have lifelong coverage and build cash value over time. Part of your premium goes toward the cost of insurance and other fees.
Your premium payment is divided into two parts: one for paying out the death benefit and the rest goes into your cash value. This allows you to build a cash reserve that can be borrowed against or used to pay premiums.
As you pay premiums, you're essentially building a savings account that can be used to supplement your retirement income or other financial goals.
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Works
Indexed universal life insurance works similarly to universal life, allowing you to pay a premium in exchange for potentially lifelong coverage and build cash value over time.
Part of your premium payment goes toward the cost of insurance, which is essentially paying out the death benefit. This is a crucial aspect of IUL, as it ensures that your loved ones are taken care of in the event of your passing.
The rest of your premium payment is added to your cash value, which can grow over time based on the performance of an index, such as the S&P 500.
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Methodology
To understand how Indexed Universal Life (IUL) works, you need to grasp the basics of its illustration. The Major Components of an IUL Illustration are crucial to making informed decisions.
The illustration should demonstrate guaranteed returns, which are the minimum return that a client should expect from the IUL company. These guarantees are what make IUL policies attractive to investors.
Possible returns at different crediting rates are also essential to consider. The illustration should show you how to identify this within the illustration.
Insurance costs and crediting rates are closely tied. You need to know your insurance costs to determine whether the policy is viable or not.
Here are the key components of an IUL illustration:
- Guaranteed returns
- Possible returns at different crediting rates
- Crediting rate and insurance cost
Life insurance ratings can also provide valuable insights. NerdWallet's life insurance ratings are based on consumer experience, complaint index scores, and weighted averages of financial strength ratings.
These ratings are a guide, but it's essential to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you.
Consider reading: Symetra Financial Ratings
Term
Term life insurance is a straightforward option that provides coverage for a specific period of time. The policy duration of term life is typically 10, 20, or 30 years.
The premiums and death benefit for term life are usually fixed, which means you'll pay the same amount each month and the death benefit will remain the same throughout the policy term.
One of the main advantages of term life is its significantly lower cost compared to indexed universal life insurance.
IUL Features
AIG Indexed Universal Life (IUL) policies offer a range of features that set them apart from other types of life insurance.
One of the key features of IUL insurance is that it's permanent coverage with a guaranteed death benefit and a cash value component that grows over time. This means you'll have a safety net for your loved ones, no matter what happens.
IUL policies have two main features that make them attractive: guaranteed returns and possible returns. Guaranteed returns are the minimum return you can expect from the policy, while possible returns are the estimated amounts you might receive at different crediting rates.
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Here are the major components of an IUL illustration:
- Guaranteed Returns: This is the minimum return you can expect from the policy.
- Possible Returns: This shows the estimated amounts you might receive at different crediting rates.
- Crediting Rate and Insurance Cost: This section explains your insurance costs and whether the company can change them or lower the interest cap.
With IUL insurance, you can adjust your premiums and death benefit as your financial situation changes. If you're paying too much, you can lower your premium, and if you're not paying enough, you might need to pay more to avoid a policy lapse.
IUL Benefits
You can have life insurance coverage that lasts your whole life if you choose an IUL policy. This means your loved ones will be protected no matter what happens.
With an IUL policy, you can adjust your premium payments as your financial situation changes, which can be a big advantage. If you're paying too much, you can lower your premiums, and if you're not paying enough, you can increase them.
One of the key benefits of IUL is that you can modify the death benefit over time, which can be useful if your financial needs change. For example, if you have more dependents or take on additional financial responsibilities.
You have the option to adjust your premiums and death benefit amount if needed, which can be a big relief. If your account accumulates enough value, you can use those funds to pay your premiums.
The Major Components of an IUL Illustration include:
You can also use the cash value to pay your premiums if your account accumulates enough value. However, if your cash value falls too much, the insurance company could put out a "premium call", meaning you need to put in more money to avoid a policy lapse.
With IUL, you can have higher growth potential than whole life products since your returns are tied to the stock market. This means you can accumulate cash value you can use during your lifetime for various financial needs.
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The Cost
The cost of AIG Indexed Universal Life (IUL) insurance can be complex, but let's break it down. The exact cost will depend on factors such as your age, health, smoking status, and coverage amount.
You can expect to pay more for IUL than for a universal life insurance policy, but less than for whole life insurance. Average annual premiums for a $500,000 IUL policy for non-smokers in excellent health are:
These rates are based on data from Covr Financial Technologies, as of November 8, 2024, and represent the lowest three rates for each age averaged.
It's worth noting that your premium isn't the only cost associated with an IUL policy. You'll also need to consider administrative expenses, sales fees, commissions, the cost of insurance, surrender charges, and more. These costs can impact your premiums and how much you can build in cash value.
IUL Cash Value
IUL cash value is a key component of AIG Indexed Universal Life insurance policies. It can earn interest in two ways: through a fixed interest rate and the performance of stock and bond indexes.
You can choose to put the cash value in a fixed account, indexed account, or a combination of both. This flexibility allows you to tailor your policy to your individual needs and risk tolerance.
The cash value of an IUL policy is tied to the performance of an underlying index, such as the S&P 500 or the Nasdaq composite. This means your cash value rises if the index gains value, but you're protected from a drop in the index due to a "floor" that ensures the interest rate credited to the account will never be less than 0%.
Here are some ways to tap into your policy's cash value:
- Borrow against your cash value through a policy loan
- Withdraw cash value
- Reduce the death benefit amount by any loans not paid back or withdrawals you've taken from the cash value
Keep in mind that policy loans and withdrawals will reduce the death benefit amount. It's essential to understand how these features work and how they may impact your policy's performance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the bad side of IUL?
IUL policies come with potential drawbacks, including limited return options and the risk of policy cancellation if premiums are not paid. They may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with limited upfront investments
What is the 7 pay rule for IUL?
The 7-pay rule is a tax qualification test for IUL policies, limiting premiums paid in the first 7 years to a certain amount. Understanding this rule is crucial for maximizing policy benefits and tax efficiency.
Sources
- https://www.pacificlife.com/home/products/life-insurance/indexed-universal-life-insurance.html
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/insurance/indexed-universal-life-insurance
- https://insights.colonialpenn.com/what-is-indexed-universal-life-insurance/
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/life-insurance/indexed-universal-life-insurance/
- https://indexeduniversal.life/iul-illustration/
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