Your payments (premiums)
A universal life insurance policy gives you long-term coverage that can build cash value over time. With universal life, you get both stability and flexibility, with the option to adjust your plan as your needs and goals shift.
Universal life insurance is a flexible type of permanent coverage with a guaranteed death benefit and the option to build cash value over time. Unlike term life insurance, it doesn’t expire after a set number of years. And unlike whole life, universal life insurance gives you more control—you can adjust your payments and coverage amounts to help protect your family’s future as your needs and finances change.
A universal life policy gives you the flexibility to choose the benefits you want now, with the option to adjust your policy later.
You can always change premium amounts, the total amount of universal life insurance you have, and the length of time you’re covered1
Universal life insurance is designed to provide a death benefit for life, not just for a term.
If you choose a universal life policy that accumulates cash value it may grow over time. You can borrow from or withdraw from this amount, giving you financial flexibility when you need it most.
New York Life Insurance Company, parent company of New York Life Insurance and Annuity Corporation, which issues universal life policies, has been paying benefits consistently for 180+ years
A New York Life financial professional can help you understand your options and find the right coverage for your needs.
We offer two types of universal life insurance policies, each with different features based on your goals and risk tolerance. A New York Life financial professional can help you choose the option that works best for you.
Traditional universal life insurance
Traditional universal life provides long-term protection with flexible premiums and fixed interest rates that may help accumulate cash value over time. Increasing the amount or frequency of your premium payments increases your opportunity to build cash value.
Best for: Those seeking stability and predictable growth without market risk
Variable universal life insurance
In addition to flexible premiums and long-term coverage, variable universal life insurance lets you invest the cash value in a variety of market-based options like mutual funds. While this can offer higher growth potential, it also comes with greater risk.2
Best for: Those who want the potential for greater cash value growth and are comfortable with investment risk
Universal life is a type of long-term life insurance that can offer flexibility and, in some cases, cash value growth. You may be able to adjust your premium payments and even increase or decrease your coverage over time—within certain limits—to stay aligned with your financial goals. Not all universal life policies work the same way, so it’s important to understand the details of your specific policy.
Universal life insurance is a policy that can cover you for an extended period of time—often longer than a temporary term life policy, but customizable to your needs. It can give you access to cash value to help you protect the future of your family or business. But the most unique feature of universal life is the flexibility to set your own payment schedule and level of coverage. You can also make certain adjustments in the future, as needed.
Universal life can provide long-term coverage as long as there is enough cash value in the policy to cover your policy’s monthly deductions. If you decide to end (surrender) your policy, you would receive the surrender value (the cash value minus any charges associated with canceling).
Universal life is highly customizable, so you can adjust coverage in many ways to fit your budget. Your own costs may depend on the policy you choose, the benefits you prefer, the amount of coverage you need, how you choose to fund the policy, and the length of time you’re covered. Your agent will help you find the right solution for your budget and goals, and can help you make adjustments in the future if you need.
Universal life offers many benefits that you can customize to your needs and goals. It provides a long-term death benefit for your loved ones, helping to support them financially if you pass away while the policy is active. Universal life also builds cash value over time, which can help fund key expenses in your lifetime such as a down payment on a home or college tuition. You can access funds by taking out a loan from your policy or by taking out cash through what’s called a partial surrender.2
Universal life is highly customizable, so you can adjust coverage in many ways to fit your budget. Your own costs may depend on the policy you choose, the benefits you prefer, the amount of coverage you need, how you choose to fund the universal life insurance policy, and the length of time you’re covered. Your agent will help you find the right solution for your budget and goals, and can help you make adjustments in the future if you need.
Can be adjusted |
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In some cases |
Guaranteed minimum interest credited |
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Can be adjusted |
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Cash value growth subject to market risk |
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Remains level for a period of time you select, then increases over time |
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Always the same amount |
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1The policy will terminate if at any time the cash surrender value is insufficient to pay the monthly deductions. This can happen due to insufficient premium payments, if loans or partial surrenders are taken, or if current interest rates or charges fluctuate.
2Accessing the cash value will reduce the available cash surrender value and the death benefit.
3Dividends are not guaranteed. Not all participating policy owners are eligible for dividends
4Conversions guidelines and limitations, such as timing, may apply.
5Variable universal life offers the opportunity for long-term life insurance and tax-advantaged asset growth and is only offered by prospectus.
In most jurisdictions, the form numbers are as follows (state variations may apply): Universal Life ICC24-324-51P; Custom Universal Life Guarantee ICC18-318-54P.
Universal Life insurance products are issued by New York Life Insurance and Annuity Corporation (A Delaware Corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of New York Life Insurance Company).