A permanent life insurance policy that provides a death benefit plus a cash value component that grows based on the performance of a market index without directly investing in the market.

Cash value is credited interest tied to a chosen market index (e.g., S&P 500) using a crediting method with caps, participation rates, and a floor (often 0%), so you can gain index upside while being protected from negative index returns.

A lifetime death benefit for beneficiaries and a tax-advantaged cash value account (tax-free if accessed through policy loans) that can be used for retirement income, emergencies, or policy costs.

Compared to term, IUL offers permanent coverage and cash accumulation; compared to whole life, IUL often provides greater potential cash-value growth and more premium/death-benefit flexibility, though with different guarantees and risks. When structured properly, IUL essentially combines the best features of term and whole life insurance into a single policy.

Yes. IUL policies typically allow flexible premium payments (within policy limits) and options to adjust the death benefit, subject to policy rules and underwriting. However, it is important to prioritize funding the policy as agreed upon during the illustration and sales process to ensure that it remains "max-funded" throughout the life of the policy.

Yes. You can access your cash value through withdrawals or policy loans. We often recommend the loan option since these are completely tax-free while withdrawals will trigger taxes on the total accrued interest.

The cash value growth on an IUL is technically considered "tax-deferred". However, it can be utilized on a tax-free basis when accessed through policy loans as opposed to withdrawals. Additionally, as with all other forms of life insurance, the death benefit is transferred tax-free to the beneficiaries.

Policies do have costs (expense charges, admin fees, surrender charges) and crediting features (caps/participation) that can limit growth. This is the trade-off policyholders make for the 0% floor protection and various tax benefits. Additionally, poorly funded policies can lead to lapses and/or a diminished cash value over time. As such, it is important to fund the policies as agreed upon from the start in order to avoid these pitfalls.

Individuals seeking lifelong coverage plus tax-advantaged cash accumulation, flexible premiums, and market-linked growth with downside protection—usually those with a long-term horizon and steady funding capacity.