
Life Insurance Related Legal, Financial and Medical Terms Clarified
Term life insurance provides temporary coverage for a specific period, such as 10, 20, or 30 years. It is designed to provide a high death benefit at a lower cost, making it ideal for income replacement during your peak earning years.
Whole life is a permanent policy that provides lifelong protection as long as premiums are paid on time. It includes a unique 'cash value' component that grows over time.
A premium modal factor is a multiplier applied to your base premium based on your chosen payment frequency. While convenient, it typically results in a higher total annual cost than a single annual payment.
Under current federal law, the death benefit from a life insurance policy is generally paid to beneficiaries free of income tax, allowing your family to receive the full face value.
A policy loan allows you to borrow against the accumulated cash value of a permanent life insurance policy without a credit check, providing a source of liquid capital when needed.
An annuity is a financial contract where you pay a sum to an insurer in exchange for a steady, guaranteed income stream, ensuring you do not outlive your savings.
Guaranteed Universal Life (GUL) is a permanent policy designed to provide a lifetime death benefit with lower premiums than traditional Whole Life.
A beneficiary is the person or entity designated to receive the death benefit payout. Keeping this designation current is the best way to ensure your death benefit reaches your heirs.
The nonforfeiture value ensures you don't lose the equity you've built in a permanent policy if you decide to stop paying premiums.
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