IUL has likely been a mystery to you and you probably have heard that it is a retirement savings vehicle and you’d like more …

What is IUL for Dummies?

IUL, or Indexed Universal Life, is a type of life insurance policy that combines the death benefit protection of traditional life insurance with the potential for cash value growth. It is a type of permanent life insurance, meaning that it is designed to last your entire life, as long as you continue to pay the premiums. IUL policies are often referred to as “cash value” life insurance policies because they have the potential to accumulate cash value over time.

IUL policies are designed to provide a death benefit to your beneficiaries in the event of your death, while also providing you with the potential to accumulate cash value over time. The cash value of an IUL policy is based on the performance of an underlying index, such as the S&P 500. The index performance is used to determine the amount of cash value that is credited to the policy each year.

IUL policies are attractive to many people because they offer the potential for cash value growth, while also providing the death benefit protection of traditional life insurance. Additionally, IUL policies offer the potential for tax-deferred growth, meaning that you can accumulate cash value without having to pay taxes on the growth until you withdraw the money.

IUL policies are a great option for those who are looking for a way to provide for their family in the event of their death, while also having the potential to accumulate cash value over time. However, it is important to understand the details of an IUL policy before purchasing one.

Here are some key points to consider when looking into an IUL policy:

1. Premiums: IUL policies typically require higher premiums than traditional life insurance policies. This is because the policy has the potential to accumulate cash value over time.

2. Index Performance: The performance of the underlying index is used to determine the amount of cash value that is credited to the policy each year. It is important to understand how the index works and how it can affect the cash value of the policy.

3. Fees and Expenses: IUL policies typically have higher fees and expenses than traditional life insurance policies. It is important to understand the fees and expenses associated with the policy before purchasing it.

4. Tax Implications: IUL policies offer the potential for tax-deferred growth, meaning that you can accumulate cash value without having to pay taxes on the growth until you withdraw the money. It is important to understand the tax implications of an IUL policy before purchasing it.

IUL policies can be a great option for those who are looking for a way to provide for their family in the event of their death, while also having the potential to accumulate cash value over time. However, it is important to understand the details of an IUL policy before purchasing one. By understanding the premiums, index performance, fees and expenses, and tax implications of an IUL policy, you can make an informed decision about whether or not an IUL policy is right for you.