The best kept secret of life insurance - usa. Page 2

Theoretically, you have $2,950 to invest each year for 30 years. I say theoretically because in the real

Not the same way you would commit to a life insurance policy premium.

Why do I know this? Call it human nature based on 24 years of experience.

But, let's give you the benefit of the doubt and say you actually do invest according to this hypothetical plan. What rate of return are you going to make over 30 years? 5% ... 8% ... 10 percent?

By the way, this question opens up another can of worms. The psychology of investing. But, we'll save that controversy for another time.

For arguments sake let's assume you get an 8% compounded ( secured loans ) rate of return each year for 30 years. This comes to $360,920.41.

Okay ... so now you're 65 years old and you have $360,920.41. But guess what?

When you reach 66 your $500,000 term life insurance policy will lapse without value because the annual premium becomes $21,180.

Yep, you read that right! It jumps from $700 to over 21 thousand dollars.

At age 70, it's $31,430. At age 75, it's $52,970.

There's no way on earth you'll pay this premium. Problem is ... you ain't dead yet!

You have paid $21,000 over a 30 year timeframe to have a $500,000 life insurance ( personal loans ) policy during a period of time when the odds are you would never die anyway.

Under normal circumstances you will die somewhere around age 80 -- give or take. Your loved one's investment account still won't be worth $500,000.

What's more, she will have to pay income tax on the investment gains. Remember, life insurance proceeds are income tax free.

Now let me quickly repeat myself. I am not against term life insurance ... as long it's purchased with an eye towards the reality of future expectations.

If your term life insurance policy is issued by a highly rated company with a broad selection of products, you will have ample opportunity to convert the term into something more permanent over the course of the 30 years in our example.

Keep in mind your age determines the length of time the term policy will have a guaranteed level premium.

You may not be able to get more than a 10 year guarantee if you are over 50 years of age.

So, exactly what is the best kept secret in a life insurance policy?

It is a universal life insurance policy that guarantees the death benefit regardless of investment performance.

Universal life is the most flexible type of policy on the market. The premium is higher than term, but lower than whole life. There are several on the market, so you must be careful.

If you decide to buy term because of budget constraints, then be certain to buy from a company that also offers universal life.

This gives you the chance to slowly convert the term into universal with the same company over the length of the term guarantee.

As your budget permits convert term into universal.

One word of caution though. Long term interest rates are critical to the performance of universal life insurance.

Because they've been depressed for several years and will likely continue so, you must get the universal life with an unconditional death benefit guarantee.

Here's an example using our 30 year old male. The $500,000 universal life insurance policy premium is $2,871 per year. This compares with the already discussed $700 term and $3,650 whole life premiums.

Let's say you really do decide life insurance isn't important when you reach 65. By that time, you would have paid $86,130 in total premiums.

Down a rat hole like the term plan? Nope!

The cash surrender value would be at least $85,501. It might well be over $100,000 based on the actual competitive interest rates credited to the policy over the 30 years.

By paying more in premium using universal life you guarantee the death benefit for as long as necessary ... plus you have the ability to recover your expense if you wish to cash it in.