Discussing the importance of owning life insurance can be a sensitive topic — after all, few people like to talk about death. However, if others depend on your support, or if you have substantial assets that you wish to transfer to future generations, life insurance can be an important financial tool. There are many types of insurance and features for you to consider if you are shopping for a plan.

Types of Life Insurance

Term insurance is perhaps the most common and least expensive form of life insurance — if you’re under age 50. These policies are written for a specific period of time — 1 year, 10 years, 30 years, etc. — and often have the option for renewal, during which time the premiums are likely to increase. If you wish to lock in the premium for periods of up to 30 years, select a level term policy.

Decreasing term insurance can be used to match the amortization of your mortgage principal or another financial obligation, with benefits paid only if you die during the policy’s term. While the premium remains constant over the term, its face value decreases. Once you pay off your debt, this policy expires without value—unless you choose to renew it. You can choose variations of this policy, such as one that is renewable up to age 70 and convertible to permanent insurance without undergoing a medical exam.

Whole life incorporates features of permanent protection with a savings account. You can lock in a premium rate, and part of the premium accrues a cash value as long as you continue to pay the premiums. As the savings amount increases, you can borrow up to 90% of the policy’s cash value tax-free (though borrowing money reduces the policy’s death benefit and cash value).

Universal life is similar to whole life while including potentially higher earnings on the savings feature. You can also change the premium amount and withdraw cash, as well as possibly even change the face value of the policy. These also can offer a guaranteed return on cash value. However, withdrawals will be taxed.

Variable life policies generally feature fixed premiums and a flexible cash value policy. In fact, you can invest the cash value in your choice of stock, bond, or money market funding.[1] However, keep in mind that the cash value and death benefit can fluctuate, too, based on the performance of your investment choice(s). There is typically a floor for death benefits but no guarantee on cash values. Additionally, fees for these policies tend to be higher than for universal life. Finally, should you accrue investment earnings, they are tax-deferred as long as the funds remain in the insurance contract.

Variable universal life allows your premiums to be invested more aggressively than with other policy types.  While similar to variable life in that you can choose from a variety of investment options, there is no guarantee beyond the original face value death benefit. As such, they are more common with wealthy buyers who can withstand the risks.

Survivorship life insurance is a unique type of life insurance that insures two people under one policy, and provides a payout to their beneficiaries when both have passed away. It is typically used for estate planning, with a death benefit that can fund estate taxes while passing along wealth to future generations or a charity. This policy may be favored if one of the insured is finding it difficult to have a more traditional life insurance policy underwritten, possibly for medical reasons. However, it may not be the right policy type if one of the insured would suffer financial hardship if the other passes away first.

First-to-die life insurance is a type of policy pays a death benefit to the surviving spouse (or other beneficiaries) after one of the policy owners dies. This is useful for covering a mortgage or other large debt where there are multiple debtors. It is often used when funding buy-sell agreements within a closely held business.

How Much to Purchase

There is no correct amount of life insurance to purchase. Some use a formula based on income replacement, selecting five to 10 times your annual salary to calculate a coverage amount. Others use an amount based on personal needs and preferences. (Several websites, such as Bankrate.com, have life insurance calculators to help you make a decision.)

To determine your unique income-replacement need, consider that a sizable amount of your income currently goes to support your lifestyle and pay taxes. Determine your net earnings after taxes, then add your personal expenses, including housing, healthcare, food, etc. This total represents the amount that your insurance will need to replace. Many select a death benefit amount that, when invested, will provide annual income to cover that total. Add to that the amounts needed to fund one-time expenses, such as college tuition or paying off a mortgage.

When calculating income replacement for a nonworking spouse, coverage should provide for day care costs, housekeeping, and other types of care. Add those amounts to any net earnings from part-time employment.

Finally, estimate estate taxes, uninsured medical costs, and funeral costs when calculating your total income replacement needs.

Conclusion

Life insurance is an important part of a financial plan. Assessing the various options and asking the right questions can help you select a policy that provides the best coverage for you and your family.

The cost and availability of life insurance depend on many factors such as age, health and amount of insurance purchased. In addition to premiums, there are contract limitations, fees, exclusions, reductions of benefits, and charges associated with policy. And if a policy is surrendered prematurely, there may be surrender charges and income tax implications.

Variable universal life insurance/variable life insurance policies are subject to substantial fees and charges. Policy values will fluctuate and are subject to market risk and to possible loss of principal.

Any life insurance guarantees are contingent upon the claims-paying ability of the issuing company.