
A whole life policy can be a significant investment, with premiums ranging from $50 to $500 per month, depending on factors such as age and health.
The cost of a whole life policy is also influenced by the policy's cash value, which can grow over time and be borrowed against or used to pay premiums.
Typically, premiums for whole life policies are fixed, meaning they remain the same for the life of the policy, and can be paid monthly, quarterly, or annually.
Some whole life policies also come with a guaranteed death benefit, which can range from $20,000 to $1 million or more, depending on the policy and the insurer.
Cost Factors
Your age is a major factor in determining the cost of a whole life insurance policy. The younger you are when you purchase the policy, the lower your premiums will be.
Whole life insurance policies can be customized to fit your needs, but this also means the cost can vary widely. Your overall health and whether you smoke will impact the amount you pay.
Women tend to live longer than men, so they can expect to pay slightly less for a whole life insurance policy. This is a general trend, but not a hard and fast rule.
The death benefit is a key factor in determining the cost of a whole life insurance policy. You'll pay more for a larger death benefit.
Here are some factors that can impact the cost of your whole life insurance policy:
- Your age
- Your health
- Your gender
- Your death benefit
- Your policy design
The cost of whole life insurance is generally more expensive than the same amount of term life insurance coverage. This is because whole life insurance policies are guaranteed to be paid out as long as the policy remains in force and premiums are paid.
Cost Breakdown
A whole life policy's cost can vary greatly depending on several factors. Your age is a significant factor, with younger individuals typically paying less per year.
The cost of a whole life policy also depends on your health, with smokers paying more than non-smokers. Women tend to pay slightly less than men due to their longer lifespan.
Here are some estimated monthly costs for a whole life policy with a $500,000 death benefit:
The type of policy design and optional benefits can also impact the monthly cost. It's essential to work with a financial advisor to determine the best policy for your individual circumstances.
Online Cost Calculator
Using an online life insurance cost calculator can give you a better idea of how much coverage you need. It's a simple and efficient way to get an estimate.
To calculate your coverage, you'll need to consider various factors, including your debt, income, mortgage, children's education expenses, and final expenses. This will help you determine the right amount of coverage for your specific situation.
Online calculators can also help you compare different policies and find the one that suits your needs. You can input your information and get instant quotes from various insurance providers.
Here's a rough idea of what you can expect to pay for whole life insurance, based on a $500,000 death benefit: $542 to $708 per month for a healthy 35-year-old man who doesn't smoke, with women paying slightly less.
Keep in mind that costs can vary greatly depending on the policy and other factors.
Cost

The cost of whole life insurance can vary greatly depending on several factors.
Your age is one of the most significant factors in determining the cost of whole life insurance. The younger you are, the less you'll pay per year.
Whole life insurance policies can be customized to fit your needs, but this also means the cost can vary widely.
Your health, including whether you smoke, will also impact the amount you pay. A 35-year-old man who doesn't smoke and is in good health might pay between $542 and $708 per month for a policy with a $500,000 death benefit.
Women tend to pay slightly less than men for whole life insurance. A 35-year-old woman in good health might pay around $700 per month for the same policy.
The cost of whole life insurance also depends on the policy design and the amount of coverage you choose. A larger death benefit will generally cost more.
Here are some estimated monthly costs for whole life insurance policies:
Keep in mind that these are just estimates and the actual cost of your policy will depend on your individual circumstances.
How Cash Value Works
Cash value is a key component of permanent life insurance, where a portion of your premium payment is set aside in an interest-bearing account, gradually accumulating value.
The cash value can serve as a form of savings within the policy, playing a role in a strategic financial plan. This can be especially useful for individuals who want to build a safety net or create a source of income.
Borrowing against the cash value can be a fairly simple process, with a favorable interest rate that makes it an appealing option for policyholders looking for income with an easy approval process.
Loans taken out against the cash value will accrue interest, which you'll need to pay back along with the loan amount itself. If it's not repaid, it reduces the death benefit.
The cash value can also be used to pay premiums, providing an alternative to paying out of pocket.
Policy Types
There are two main types of whole life insurance: whole life insurance and custom whole life insurance. Whole life insurance provides permanent coverage and cash value, making it a popular option for those who want to balance cash value accumulation and guaranteed life insurance coverage.
Whole life insurance premiums can vary based on age, gender, and coverage amount. For example, a 20-year-old female with a $250,000 coverage policy can expect to pay around $147.50 per month.
Custom whole life insurance, on the other hand, allows you to pay premiums only for a specific period, which can be as little as five years. This option may be beneficial for those who want to maximize the cash value growth in their policy, but premiums will be higher.
Types of
Types of life insurance policies can be overwhelming, but let's break it down into two main categories: permanent and term life insurance. Permanent life insurance provides lifetime protection with added benefits, such as saving for the future.
There are two types of whole life insurance: traditional whole life and custom whole life. Traditional whole life insurance offers permanent coverage and cash value, allowing you to supplement retirement income in your later years.
Custom whole life insurance, on the other hand, allows you to pay premiums for a specific period, which can be as little as five years. This option can help you maximize cash value growth in your policy.
Here's a breakdown of the two options:
The cost of whole life insurance varies based on age, gender, and coverage amount. For example, a 20-year-old female with a $250,000 coverage would pay around $147.50 per month, while a 60-year-old male with the same coverage would pay around $957.00 per month.
Creating Stability with Riders
Whole life insurance can provide peace of mind for your future, helping to protect you and your loved ones.
Guarantees of the policy are based on the claims-paying ability of the issuer, which is reassuring to know.
Supplemental riders can be added to a whole life insurance policy to provide additional stability and protection.
Discovering the different ways whole life insurance can help is a great first step towards securing your future.
Learn More
Using a whole life insurance calculator can give you more options and flexibility, as well as the financial security you'll need in the future.
The policy form number for the New York Life Whole Life Series of products is ICC18217-50P (4/18).
Accessing the cash value of the policy will reduce the available cash surrender value and total death benefit.
This means you'll need to carefully consider your coverage needs before making a decision.
Pros and Cons
Whole life insurance policies offer several benefits that make them an attractive option for many people. A whole life policy provides a death benefit for your beneficiary, which can help them financially after you're gone.
Here are some key pros of whole life insurance:
- Provides death benefit for your beneficiary
- Policy lasts your entire life (as long as you pay the premium)
- Premiums are fixed
- Able to borrow from the cash value of policy
Keep in mind that whole life insurance also has some downsides.
Is It Worth It?
Whole life insurance can be a valuable addition to your financial plan, especially when you consider its benefits. Your premiums will never go up unless you make changes, providing a sense of stability and predictability.

Some companies, like Northwestern Mutual, have paid a dividend every year since 1872, offering an additional source of income. Dividends can be applied toward your premiums, taken as cash, or used to purchase extra insurance.
The cash value of whole life insurance always grows, becoming an important, stable part of your financial plan. This can be a significant sum, eventually becoming money that you can access at any time for any reason.
Pros
One of the biggest advantages of a life insurance policy is that it provides a death benefit for your beneficiary. This means that if something were to happen to you, your loved ones would receive a financial payout to help them through a difficult time.
The policy itself can last your entire life, as long as you continue to pay the premium. This can give you peace of mind knowing that your family will be taken care of no matter what.

Another benefit of a life insurance policy is that the premiums are fixed, so you'll know exactly how much you'll be paying each month. This can help you budget and plan for the future.
You can also borrow from the cash value of your policy, which can be a helpful safety net in case of an emergency.
Cons
The cons of this topic are worth considering. One major drawback is the potential for high upfront costs, which can be a significant financial burden.
Research has shown that these costs can be upwards of $10,000, a steep price to pay for some individuals.
Another con is the limited availability of resources, which can make it difficult to access the necessary tools and equipment.
This can be especially frustrating for those who are just starting out and need to learn the ropes.
Additionally, the learning curve can be steep, with some users requiring several months to become proficient.
This can be a significant time investment, which may not be feasible for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a $100 000 whole life insurance policy cost?
A $100,000 whole life insurance policy costs between $100-$1000 monthly, depending on your age and other factors. Your individual premium will be determined by your unique characteristics and circumstances.
How much does a $500,000 whole life insurance policy cost?
For a 30-year-old non-smoker in good health, a $500,000 whole life insurance policy costs approximately $451 per month. Premiums may vary based on individual factors such as age, health, and policy type.
What is the cash value of a $10,000 whole life insurance policy?
The cash value of a whole life insurance policy is the accumulated value of the policy over time, which in this case is $10,000. This value increases as the policy ages, according to the insurance company's whole-life cash value chart.
How much is a $50,000 whole life policy?
The average monthly cost of a $50,000 whole life insurance policy is $100-$500, depending on individual factors such as gender and health. Check the price table below for more detailed estimates.
What is the average monthly cost for whole life insurance?
For a 30-year-old non-smoker in good health, the average monthly cost of a $500,000 whole life insurance policy is around $451. However, premiums can vary based on individual factors such as age, health, and policy type.
Sources
- https://www.northwesternmutual.com/life-and-money/how-much-does-whole-life-insurance-cost/
- https://www.mutualofomaha.com/life-insurance/whole-life-insurance
- https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/life-insurance/average-life-insurance-rates
- https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/life-insurance/whole-life-insurance/
- https://www.newyorklife.com/articles/how-to-calculate-whole-life-insurance
Featured Images: pexels.com