Straightforward explanations of whole life and universal life policies — how cash value grows, when you can access it, and how to tell if it fits your plan.
Compare policies in 2 minutesThe two most common types of cash-value policies — and where they actually differ.
| Feature | Whole Life | Universal Life |
|---|---|---|
| Premiums | Fixed for life | Flexible, within limits |
| Cash value growth | Guaranteed minimum rate | Tied to interest rate or index |
| Death benefit | Fixed | Adjustable |
| Best for | Predictability | Flexibility as income changes |
Enter your age and target coverage — we'll estimate a rough growth curve based on typical policy performance.
Run the estimateMost policies allow policy loans once enough cash value has accumulated, typically after the first few years.
You may receive the surrender value, which can be lower than the total cash value due to fees in early years.
No — cash value is a separate savings component; the death benefit is paid out to beneficiaries and is typically distinct from it.