whole life insurance
Noun: A type of permanent life insurance policy that provides coverage for the insured person's entire lifetime, as long as premiums are paid. It is characterized by a fixed death benefit and level premiums that do not increase with age. A key feature is the accumulation of cash value over time, which grows at a guaranteed rate and can be borrowed against or withdrawn by the policyholder.
This term is used in the context of personal finance, estate planning, and insurance. It specifies a long-term financial product. - She purchased a whole life insurance policy to ensure her family's financial security. - Financial advisors often compare the benefits of whole life insurance to term life insurance. - The cash value component of his whole life insurance grew steadily over the decades.
- "to surrender a whole life insurance policy": to cancel the policy before death, typically receiving the accumulated cash value, minus any fees.
- He needed funds for an emergency and decided to surrender his whole life insurance policy.
- "participating whole life insurance": a policy that pays dividends to the policyholder, which can be taken as cash, used to reduce premiums, or purchase additional coverage.
- With her participating whole life insurance, she used the annual dividends to buy more coverage.
- Whole life (n): A common shortened form of "whole life insurance."
- He has a whole life policy.
- Permanent life insurance (n): The broader category of life insurance that includes whole life, universal life, and variable life policies, all of which provide lifelong coverage and have a cash value component.
- Cash value (n): The savings or investment element of a permanent life insurance policy that builds over time.
- Straight life insurance: Another term for whole life insurance, emphasizing the level premium structure.
- Ordinary life insurance: A traditional term for whole life insurance.
- Term life insurance: A contrasting type of life insurance that provides coverage for a specific period (e.g., 20 years) and typically has no cash value.
- Death benefit: The guaranteed amount paid to the beneficiaries upon the death of the insured.
- Premium: The periodic payment required to keep the insurance policy in force.
- insurance on the life of the insured for a fixed amount at a definite premium that is paid each year in the same amount during the entire lifetime of the insured