Permanent Life Insurance

Fidelity Life’s range of permanent whole life insurance products offer lifelong coverage and level premiums.

Permanent life insurance is a type of life insurance policy that provides coverage for your entire life, as long as you continue to pay the premiums. Unlike term life insurance, which expires after a set period, permanent life insurance doesn’t expire. It also accumulates cash value over time, which you can use while you’re still alive.

Choosing permanent life insurance means you’re securing lifelong financial protection for your family. It ensures that your loved ones are taken care of no matter when you pass away. The cash value component also offers a way to build savings that grow tax-deferred.

Fidelity Life’s permanent life offerings include RAPIDecision® Final ExpenseRAPIDecision® Guaranteed Issue and RAPIDecision® Senior Life. Since Fidelity Life’s permanent life insurance options do not require a medical exam, your application can be approved in hours or days – not weeks.

Premiums stay the same for the life of the policy, while it accrues cash value. You can select from a range of permanent life policies that don’t require a medical exam. This makes the application process faster and easier, so you can get the coverage you need without delay.

Why Choose Permanent Life Insurance?

Permanent life insurance offers several benefits that can help you and your family:

  • Lifelong Coverage: Your policy doesn’t expire as long as you pay your premiums. This means your family is always protected.
  • Fixed Premiums: The amount you pay stays the same throughout the life of the policy. This makes budgeting easier since you know what to expect.
  • Cash Value Accumulation: Your policy builds cash value over time. This amount grows tax-deferred and can be borrowed against if you need funds for emergencies or opportunities.
  • Financial Security for Your Family: Permanent life insurance provides peace of mind, knowing your loved ones will have financial support when you’re gone.
  • Flexibility to Meet Financial Goals: Whether you’re planning for retirement, saving for a child’s education or looking for additional financial security, permanent life insurance can help meet various needs.

How Does Cash Value Work?

With permanent life insurance, part of your premium payments goes into a cash value account. This cash value grows over time, usually at a fixed interest rate and the growth is tax-deferred. This means you don’t pay taxes on the gains as they accumulate.

You can use the cash value in several ways. You can borrow against it, providing you with a source of funds for emergencies, investments or other financial needs. Some policyholders use it to supplement their retirement income. It’s important to remember that borrowing from your cash value may reduce the death benefit if the loan is not repaid.

Types of Permanent Life Insurance

The different types of permanent life insurance include whole, universal and variable life insurance. All of these policies offer lifelong coverage, with different features that can help you meet a variety of financial needs for your family. Fidelity Life does not offer variable life or equity-indexed policies, but we want you to know the range of permanent products available.

Whole Life Insurance

Whole life insurance provides coverage for your entire lifetime, as long as you continue to pay the premiums. This type of policy combines a death benefit with a cash value component. A portion of each premium payment accumulates as cash value. Whole life policies grow based on a guaranteed interest rate set by your insurance provider.

One reason someone might choose whole life insurance is for its predictability. The fixed premiums and death benefit make it easier to plan your finances since you know exactly what to expect.

However, whole life insurance generally has higher premiums than most other insurance types. Additionally, accessing the cash value can reduce the death benefit if the borrowed amounts are not repaid. This could leave your beneficiaries with less financial support than you intended.

Final Expense Insurance

Final expense insurance is a type of whole life insurance designed specifically to cover funeral costs and other end-of-life expenses. It offers smaller coverage amounts, which makes the premiums more affordable. This policy is often easier to obtain, with a simple application process that usually doesn’t require a medical exam.

People may choose final expense insurance to relieve their families of the financial burden associated with funerals, medical bills or unpaid debts. Funerals can be expensive, and having this coverage ensures that these costs are covered without putting stress on loved ones during a difficult time.

Universal Life Insurance

Universal life insurance offers lifelong coverage with added flexibility. Unlike whole life insurance, universal life allows you to adjust your premiums and death benefits within certain limits. This means you can increase or decrease your payments based on your financial situation.

Someone might choose universal life insurance if they anticipate changes in their financial circumstances. If you experience a financial setback, you might lower your premiums temporarily and increase them later when your situation improves.

However, universal life insurance comes with some complexities. If interest rates are currently low, the cash value may grow slowly. Additionally, if you decrease your premiums too much, it could impact the policy’s ability to maintain the death benefit, potentially leading to a lapse in coverage. Universal life insurance policies should be monitored actively to prevent this from happening.

Fidelity Life Permanent Insurance Options

Fidelity Life offers several permanent life insurance policies designed to meet different needs. All of these options provide lifelong coverage without requiring a medical exam, making the application process quick and straightforward.

RAPIDecision® Final Expense

This policy is designed to help cover funeral costs and other end-of-life expenses. It offers coverage amounts up to $40,000, suitable for seniors and those looking for smaller policies. With a quick approval process and no medical exam needed, you can secure coverage without any delays.

Best for: Individuals aged 50-85 who want to ease the financial burden of final expenses on their families. Apply now to get a decision quickly without a medical exam.

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RAPIDecision® Guaranteed Issue

Guaranteed issue policies mean that you will always be accepted, regardless of any health conditions. There are no medical exams or health questions required. It’s an essential option for those who may have been declined elsewhere but still need life insurance coverage.

Best for: People with health issues who need life insurance coverage. Secure your policy today with guaranteed acceptance.

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RAPIDecision® Senior Life

Tailored for seniors seeking lifelong coverage, this policy offers a simplified application process with quick approvals. It provides peace of mind and financial security for your loved ones without the hassle of traditional insurance applications.

Best for: Seniors looking for comprehensive coverage without complications.

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Pros and Cons of Permanent Life Insurance

Does permanent life insurance make sense for you and your family? Here are some permanent life insurance pros and cons to help you decide.

Pros

  • Lifelong Coverage: Permanent life insurance provides coverage for your entire life as long as you pay your premiums. This means your family will receive financial support whenever you pass away, giving you peace of mind that they are protected.
  • Cash Value: Part of each premium you pay goes into a cash value account that grows over time. This cash value increases on a tax-deferred basis. You can borrow from this amount during your lifetime, providing you with funds for emergencies, investments or other financial needs.
  • Tax Advantages: The cash value in your policy grows without immediate tax obligations. You don’t pay taxes on the gains until you withdraw them.
  • Fixed Premiums: Your premiums remain the same throughout the life of the policy. This makes budgeting easier because you won’t face unexpected increases in your insurance costs as you age.
  • Flexible Options: There are various types of permanent life insurance policies available, such as whole life and universal life.

Cons

  • Higher Cost: Permanent life insurance policies typically have higher premiums than term life insurance. This increased cost can strain your budget, especially if you are young or have limited income.
  • Complexity: Some permanent life insurance products can be complicated. Policies like universal or variable life insurance may require regular monitoring and a good understanding of how the cash value and investment components work. This can make managing the policy more challenging.
  • Potential Reduced Death Benefit: If you borrow from your policy’s cash value and don’t repay the loan, the amount your beneficiaries receive could decrease. Unpaid loans and interest can reduce the death benefit, which might affect the financial support your family expects.

Find a policy that works for you

There are a range of affordable Fidelity Life products to choose from based on your situation and financial responsibilities.

Here are some steps you should take when deciding which policy is the right choice for you:

Assess Your Financial Goals

Decide whether you need coverage for your entire life or just for a specific period. If you want lifelong protection for your family and the ability to build cash value, permanent life insurance may be the right choice. Otherwise, you may be better off with a term life policy for a specific period of time.

Consider Your Budget

Evaluate how much you can afford to pay in premiums. Permanent life insurance is more expensive than term life insurance, so it’s important to choose a policy that fits comfortably within your budget.

Think About Cash Value

Think about whether you want a policy that accumulates cash value over time. If having access to funds through your life insurance policy is important to you, consider a permanent policy with a cash value component.

Think About Flexibility

Consider if you need the ability to adjust your premiums or death benefits. If your financial situation might change in the future, a universal life insurance policy that allows adjustments could be a good fit for you.

Age and Health Factors

Applying for life insurance when you’re younger and healthier can result in lower premiums and more options. Early planning can make lifelong coverage more affordable and maximize the growth potential of your policy’s cash value.

At Fidelity Life, our goal is to make life insurance simple, affordable, and understandable for everyday families. This content is intended for educational purposes only. Each post is carefully fact-checked, reviewed, and updated regularly to ensure the information is as relevant as possible. We encourage you to speak with your insurance representative if you have additional questions and make sure you read your policy contract to fully understand your coverage.

Permanent Life Insurance FAQs

Term life insurance and permanent life insurance are two main types of life insurance policies that serve different purposes.

Term life insurance provides coverage for a period of several years. If you pass away during this term, your beneficiaries receive the death benefit specified in your policy. If you outlive the term, the coverage ends, and there is no payout. Term life insurance is often chosen for its lower premiums and simplicity. It’s suitable for people who need coverage for a certain period, like until a mortgage is paid off or children are financially independent.

Permanent life insurance, on the other hand, offers lifelong coverage. As long as you continue to pay the premiums, the policy remains in effect regardless of your age. Permanent life insurance also includes a cash value component that grows over time. This cash value accumulates tax-deferred and can be accessed through loans or withdrawals during your lifetime

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Yes, you can access the cash value of a permanent life insurance policy. As you pay your premiums, a portion of the money goes into a cash value account that grows over time. There are a few ways to access this cash value:

  • Policy Loans: You can borrow against the cash value of your policy. The loan doesn’t have a set repayment schedule, and the interest rates are often lower than other types of loans. However, if you don’t repay the loan, the outstanding amount and interest will reduce the death benefit paid to your beneficiaries.
  • Withdrawals: You can make partial withdrawals from the cash value. This reduces the cash value and might reduce the death benefit. Withdrawals up to the amount of premiums paid are typically tax-free but amounts exceeding that may be taxable.
  • Surrendering the Policy: If you no longer need the insurance coverage, you can surrender the policy and receive the cash surrender value. This amount is the cash value minus any surrender charges or fees. Surrendering the policy ends your coverage, so your beneficiaries won’t receive a death benefit.

Permanent life insurance is suitable for people who want lifelong coverage. You might consider permanent life insurance if:

  • You Have Long-Term Financial Responsibilities: If you have dependents who will need support regardless of when you pass away, such as a spouse, children or a family member with special needs, permanent life insurance ensures they will be financially protected.
  • You’re Interested in the Option to Access Money While You’re Alive: The cash value component grows tax-deferred funds within your policy. This capital can be an asset for future financial needs like retirement, education expenses or emergencies.
  • You Want Fixed Premiums and Death Benefit: Permanent life insurance offers the security of fixed premiums and a guaranteed death benefit, making it easier to plan your finances.
  • You Are Planning Your Estate: If you’re looking to leave a legacy or address potential estate taxes, permanent life insurance can be a tool to provide liquidity to your estate.

The cost of a permanent life insurance policy will vary based on several factors:

  • Age: Younger applicants generally pay lower premiums because they are considered lower risk by insurers.
  • Health: Your health status plays a significant role. Insurers assess your health through medical exams or questionnaires. Better health can lead to lower premiums.
  • Policy Type: Different types of permanent life insurance, such as whole life, universal life or final expense insurance, have varying costs due to their features and benefits.
  • Coverage Amount: The amount of the death benefit you choose affects the premium. Higher coverage amounts result in higher premiums.
  • Lifestyle Factors: Habits like smoking or engaging in risky activities can increase your premiums.

Permanent life insurance premiums are generally higher than those for term life insurance.

To get an accurate cost, it’s best to request a personalized quote from an insurance provider.

here’s no specific age that’s perfect for everyone but obtaining permanent life insurance when you’re younger can offer several advantages.

  • Lower Premiums: Premiums are generally lower when you apply at a younger age. Since permanent life insurance premiums are fixed, locking in a lower rate early can save you money over the life of the policy.
  • More Time for Cash Value Growth: Starting a policy earlier gives the cash value component more time to accumulate. The longer the cash value has to grow, the more you can benefit from it in the future.
  • Easier Qualification: Younger individuals typically have fewer health issues, making it easier to qualify for better rates without exclusions or higher premiums.

However, even if you’re older, it doesn’t mean it’s too late to get permanent life insurance. Many policies are available to older individuals, and can still provide valuable benefits, especially for estate planning or covering final expenses.

Ready to understand life insurance better? We’ve got information and resources to help.

There are many different types of life insurance products available that can help you protect your family.

Still need help?

Get your life insurance quote online or call one of our agents at 

(866) 912-7775