Types of Life Insurance
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TERM
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Protection for a specified period of time
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May be renewable and convertible to whole life insurance
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Low initial premium
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Premium rises with each new term
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Typically no cash value
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WHOLE LIFE
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Permanent protection
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Fixed premium
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Fixed death benefit
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Fixed cash value
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Earnings generated by the policy are not taxed while the policy is in force
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UNIVERSAL LIFE
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Permanent protection
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lexible premium
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Flexible death benefit
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Cash value reflects premiums paid and market conditions
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Earnings generated by the policy are not taxed while the policy is in force
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CURRENT ASSUMPTION WHOLE LIFE
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Permanent protection
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Fixed premium, but company can adjust premium rates after issue
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Fixed death benefit
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Cash value reflects market conditions. Premiums may be reduced to zero --
"vanish" -- for one or more years if investment results are favorable
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Earnings generated by the policy are not taxed while the policy is in force
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VARIABLE LIFE
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Permanent protection
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Fixed or flexible premiums
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Policyholders control the investment of their cash values in separate stock,
bond, money market or other accounts
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Death benefits and cash value vary in relation to the performance of invested
funds
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Earnings generated by the policy are not taxed while the policy is in force
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SECOND-TO-DIE LIFE
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Permanent protection provided through either traditional or interest-sensitive
product types
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Premium flexibility to allow for "vanishing" premium or minimum annual premium;
policy may allow for adding or changing insureds
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Policy insures two lives and pays upon the second death
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Primarily an estate planning tool to pay estate taxes
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