Term vs. Permanent Life Insurance

According to industry experts, most people don't have enough life insurance. LIMRA, which keeps close tabs on the industry, recently reported that average coverage equals $168,000, or 3.4 years in income replacement. That's less than half of the recommended 7 year threshold.

Furthermore, more than half of consumers said their household would be in immediate or near immediate financial trouble if the primary wage earner died today.1

When considering life insurance, one of the most important factors to understand is the difference between term and permanent insurance. Here’s an inside look at both.

Term and Perm

Term or Perm?

Term life insurance is temporary; it provides a death benefit for a specific term, such as 10, 20, or 30 years. Unlike other types of life insurance, it does not accumulate a cash value. If the policyholder dies during that term, his or her beneficiaries receive the benefit from the policy. When the contract ends, so does the coverage.

This limited term leads to term life insurance’s main advantage: price. Generally, term life insurance costs less than permanent life insurance, especially if the purchaser is younger. This has the potential to free up funds for other household expenses.

Permanent insurance remains in place as long as the policyholder makes payments. In addition, permanent policies are designed to build up “cash value,” a cash reserve that accumulates with the policy. Typically, this cash reserve pays a modest rate of return. However, the policyholder has limited access to the funds.

Which Should You Choose?

Term life insurance can be designed to provide protection against upcoming expenses, such as putting children through college. Permanent life insurance, on the other hand, can be more useful for covering long-term financial needs, such as estate planning.

Many people find that they have a combination of short- and long-term needs. In such circumstances, it may be prudent to have both types: a basic level of permanent life insurance supplemented by a term policy. A review of your situation may help determine what type of life insurance is appropriate.


Term or Perm?

In 2016, (the most recent year for which statistics are available), people purchased more permanent life insurance policies than term life insurance policies.

Term or Perm?

Source: American Council of Life Insurers, 2017

  1. LIMRA, 2017


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