Flexible Permanent Coverage With Cash Value Potential
Universal life insurance provides permanent life insurance protection with flexible features that may allow you to adjust premiums, death benefits and cash value over time.
Universal life insurance is a type of permanent life insurance designed to provide lifelong coverage while also building cash value.
Unlike whole life insurance, universal life policies generally offer more flexibility in how premiums and death benefits are structured. Depending on the policy, cash value growth may be based on interest rates, market indexes or investment options.
Universal life insurance may appeal to people who want permanent protection with more flexibility than a traditional whole life policy.
Why Choose Universal Life Insurance?
Flexible Premiums
Some policies allow you to adjust premium payments within certain limits as your financial situation changes.
Permanent Coverage
Coverage can remain in force for life as long as the policy has sufficient value and required costs are paid.
Cash Value Potential
Universal life policies can build cash value that may grow based on the policy’s crediting method or investment performance.
Explore Universal Life Insurance Options
Traditional Universal Life
Permanent coverage with flexible premiums and cash value growth based on declared interest rates.
Universal life insurance premiums vary based on the policy design, coverage amount, age, health and how the policy’s cash value and guarantees are structured.
Universal life insurance rates can vary significantly because policy designs differ by insurer and product type. The table below can be used to compare sample monthly premiums.
Rates updated: 2026
Age
Sex
Coverage
Traditional UL
Indexed UL
Guaranteed UL
30
Male
$250,000
$—
$—
$—
30
Female
$250,000
$—
$—
$—
30
Male
$500,000
$—
$—
$—
30
Female
$500,000
$—
$—
$—
40
Male
$250,000
$—
$—
$—
40
Female
$250,000
$—
$—
$—
40
Male
$500,000
$—
$—
$—
40
Female
$500,000
$—
$—
$—
50
Male
$250,000
$—
$—
$—
50
Female
$250,000
$—
$—
$—
50
Male
$500,000
$—
$—
$—
50
Female
$500,000
$—
$—
$—
60
Male
$250,000
$—
$—
$—
60
Female
$250,000
$—
$—
$—
60
Male
$500,000
$—
$—
$—
60
Female
$500,000
$—
$—
$—
Disclaimer: Rates shown are sample monthly premiums for general comparison purposes only. Actual premiums vary by age, sex where permitted, health, smoking status, coverage amount, policy type, state, insurer and underwriting classification.
What Affects the Cost of Universal Life Insurance?
Age
Universal life insurance generally costs less when purchased at younger ages.
Health
Medical history and current health can affect underwriting and premium levels.
Smoking
Tobacco use can significantly increase permanent life insurance costs.
coverage Amount
A larger death benefit generally requires higher premium funding.
Policy Design
Guarantees, cash value features and crediting methods can affect policy cost.
Funding Level
How much premium is paid into the policy can influence cash value growth and long-term performance.
Who May Consider Universal Life Insurance?
Universal life insurance may be worth considering if you want permanent coverage with more flexibility than a traditional whole life policy.
Common Reasons
Lifetime life insurance protection
Flexible premium options
Adjustable death benefits
Cash value accumulation
Estate planning
Business planning
Supplemental retirement strategies
Long-term financial protection
Benefits and Things to Consider
Benefits
Permanent life insurance coverage
Flexiblepremium structure
Adjustable death-benefit options
Cash value accumulation Multiple policy designs available
Things to Consider
Policies are more complex than term or whole life
Cash value performance can vary
Policy costs may increase over time
Insufficient funding can affect coverage
Some guarantees depend on meeting specific policy requirements
Universal Life vs. Other Life Insurance
Term Life
Provides coverage for a selected period and generally offers lower initial premiums.
