Permanent Life Insurance

Permanent life insurance can protect you for life.

Give your family some of the security it needs, even if you can't be there.

Whether you're starting a new life with your spouse or partner, buying your first home, changing diapers or a single parent, you want to know that your life insurance will be there to help provide for your family if something were to happen to you. The good news is that's what permanent life insurance can do. It doesn't expire and can earn additional cash value. Most of all, it's there to help give your loved ones some financial security, even if you can't be.

Get to know how permanent life insurance works.

 
Lifelong Protection Builds Cash Value
  • Lifelong protection: Permanent insurance is designed to last your lifetime as long as you pay your premiums. Upon your death, your beneficiaries receive a lump-sum payment known as the death benefit. It can be used to help cover expenses or to ensure loved ones are able to help continue the lifestyle and reach the goals you had always hoped for them.
  • Builds cash value: Unlike term life insurance policies, permanent life insurance can accumulate cash value over time. Keep in mind that taking a loan or withdrawal from your cash value may affect the final benefit amount that your loved ones would receive.1

While all are versions of permanent life insurance, there are three main types available. See what each — universal, variable universal and whole — has to offer you.

 
Universal Life Variable Universal Life Whole Life
  • Universal Life

    Lifelong protection and premium payment flexibility.
    • Your cash value accumulates tax-deferred.
    • Designed to offer lifetime protection.
    • Typically more expensive than term insurance.
    • Flexibility to change your plan and payments as your needs change.
    • Access to cash value in case you need it.
  • Variable Universal Life

    Balances essential insurance protection with the potential for cash value growth.
    • Your cash value accumulates tax-deferred.
    • Your policy includes investment options. Cash value varies based on the performance of these investment options.
    • The risk to cash value can be higher than other types of insurance, but the reward is also potentially higher.2
    • You have options to guarantee that your coverage won't lapse. Please note that these options may have an additional cost and may be subject to state availability, restrictions, and limitations.
    • See below for important information on Variable Universal Life*
  • Whole Life

    Predictable insurance that's meant to last your lifetime.
    • Designed to provide lifelong protection with a smaller benefit amount.
    • Affordable permanent life insurance option.
    • Your payment amounts never change.
    • Cash value earns interest at a predictable, fixed rate.

*Please note that these options may have an additional cost and may be subject to state availability, restrictions, and limitations.
See below for important information on Variable Universal Life.

Below are some common questions about permanent life insurance. Don't see what you're looking for? Contact an Allstate Agent. We're here to help.

Questions? We're here to provide answers.

Can I access the cash value of my permanent policy?
Yes. Just keep in mind that taking a loan or withdrawal from your policy could affect the benefit amount your beneficiaries would receive should you die.1
Who should consider purchasing a whole life insurance policy?
A whole life policy may be best for someone who no longer needs a lot of coverage and wants the certainty of a product with guaranteed death benefits, premiums< and cash values. A whole life policy offers beneficiaries a smaller amount of money to cover expenses such as funeral expenses, which can be as much as $10,000, and other expenses you may leave behind.
Will my beneficiary have to pay taxes on the benefit payment he or she receives?
No. Benefit payments, known as death benefit proceeds, are generally exempt from federal taxes.2

Term Life Insurance

Supplement your permanent insurance
policy with term insurance.

Contact an Allstate Agent for details >


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1 Partial withdrawals and surrenders from life policies are generally taxed as ordinary income to the extent the withdrawal exceeds your investment in the contract, which is also called the "basis." In some situations, partial withdrawals during the first 15 policy years may result in taxable income prior to recovery of the investment in the contract. Loans are generally not taxable if taken from a life insurance policy that is not a modified endowment contract (MEC). However, when cash values are used to repay a loan, the transaction is treated like a withdrawal and taxed accordingly. Unpaid interest on loans is added to the loan principal, thereby increasing the total debt on the policy. The combination of an increasing loan balance and deductions for contract charges and fees may cause the policy to lapse, triggering ordinary income tax on the outstanding loan balance to the extent it exceeds the cost basis in the policy. Loans, if not repaid, and withdrawals reduce the policy's death benefit and cash surrender value.

2 The death benefit of life insurance policies that were transferred for value may be subject to ordinary income taxes. Estate taxes may apply. Consult your tax advisor for additional information. Important information about Variable Universal Life Insurance

Since cash value depends on the performance of the subaccounts you choose, there is the potential for losing cash value, which could cause your policy to lapse.

Variable universal life insurance policies carry annual insurance company mortality and expense risk charges, withdrawal charges in the early years, and administrative fees. Individual features may be offered at an additional cost. The value of a variable universal life insurance policy will fluctuate with the investment performance of the underlying subaccounts and may be worth more or less than the original investment.

Management fees and/or other expenses also apply on an ongoing basis for each subaccount investment portfolio available under the policy. Please see the prospectus for more details concerning any applicable fees and each subaccount investment portfolio’s expense.

Variable universal life products are long-term investments designed to provide life insurance protection and flexibility in connection with premium payments and death benefits. You should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment alternatives before purchasing a policy. These policies have limitations and are sold by prospectus only. The prospectus contains details on the investment alternatives, policy features, the underlying portfolios, fees, charges, expenses, and other pertinent information. To obtain a prospectus or a copy of the underlying portfolio prospectuses, please contact Lincoln Benefit Life Company or go to accessallstate.com. Please read the prospectuses carefully before purchasing a contract.

Neither Allstate, Lincoln Benefit Life nor its agents and representatives can give legal or tax advice.

All guarantees are based on the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.

Securities offered by Personal Financial Representatives through Allstate Financial Services, LLC (LSA Securities in LA and PA). Registered Broker-Dealer. Member FINRA and SIPC. Main Office: 2920 South 84th St., Lincoln, NE 68506, 877-525-5727.
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Permanent Life Insurance At a Glance

Choose lifetime protection with flexible coverage options.

  • Provides coverage that will last a lifetime so long as required premium is paid.
  • Typically more expensive than term insurance.
  • Accumulates cash value that you can access, when it's available.

How much life insurance do I need?
Try our calculator >

Permanent Life Insurance Made Simple
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