Index Universal Life (IUL) is a type of life insurance that provides both a death benefit and a cash value component. It combines the flexibility of universal life insurance with the potential for growth based on a stock market index (like the S&P 500).
Here’s how it works:
- Death Benefit: If the policyholder passes away, the beneficiaries receive a lump sum of money.
- Cash Value: Over time, the policy accumulates cash value, which grows based on the performance of a market index, but without directly investing in the stock market. The insurer offers a minimum guaranteed return, and any gains are tied to how the index performs (within certain limits).
- Flexibility: The policyholder can adjust the premium payments and death benefit as their needs change.
In short, an IUL offers life insurance with the potential for cash value growth, while being tied to a market index for returns.