What Is Whole Life Insurance? (2024)

Like other types of life insurance, whole life insurance is a contract between the policyholder and an insurance company. Typically, the policy owner is the person the policy insures, though exceptions do exist. As long as the policyholder pays the required premiums, the policy’s beneficiary will receive a payout when the insured passes away. 

With a whole life policy, a portion of each premium payment is deposited into a separate account that the insurance company controls. This fund becomes the policy’s cash value and functions as a tax-deferred savings or investment account. Over time, as the investments made by the insurance company pay off and more premium payments are made, the cash value will grow.

A policyholder can benefit from this cash value during their lifetime. Once the balance exceeds a certain threshold — which may take 10 years or longer — the policy owner can access it in one of the following four ways:

A whole life policy may have one or more beneficiaries. Most policyholders typically name their spouses or children as their beneficiaries. However, the beneficiary can be any person or organization, including a business partner, a trust or a charity.

Whole life insurance can benefit nearly anyone whose death would financially impact another individual or organization. It can be an especially wise investment if any of the following scenarios apply to the policyholder:

Whole life and term life are the two policy types most people consider when shopping for life insurance. Both options typically feature level premiums and a guaranteed payout amount, though the amounts of each will vary. These two types of life insurance differ in four key ways:

For many people, the cost is the deciding factor. Although a permanent policy, such as whole life insurance, offers more benefits, term life insurance is always more affordable.

One possible solution is to purchase a convertible policy. This type of policy begins as term life insurance, which means lower premiums. You can then upgrade to whole life insurance, typically at any time you choose, without undergoing another medical exam.

Life insurance benefits society as a whole by providing financial security for surviving family members after the death of a caregiver or breadwinner. In recognition of this fact, the federal government allows three key tax benefits for whole life insurance policies.

Unlike many things your spouse, children or other beneficiaries may inherit after your death, whole life insurance payouts are generally tax free. That means your beneficiaries will not have to pay federal income tax on their death benefits, though the government will tax any interest they receive.

The IRS provides an online tool that can help determine whether your life insurance proceeds will be taxable. If you have any questions, we recommend speaking to a financial advisor or estate planning attorney — especially if you will leave behind a large estate.

As a savings or investment tool, whole life insurance has two key advantages. First, the life insurance company will guarantee a minimum rate of cash value growth, regardless of market conditions. The cash value will only decrease if you access the funds.

Second, that growth occurs on a tax-deferred basis. As long as the funds remain in the policy, the IRS will not tax them.

If you decide to tap into the cash value of your policy, you have two tax-advantaged ways to do so:

Before taking advantage of these funding options, remember that a loan or withdrawal may result in a decreased death benefit.

Choosing a whole life insurance policy is simpler than choosing a term policy because you do not need to consider the length of the policy. By definition, any whole life policy will provide coverage for the rest of your life. However, you need to take a few other steps when shopping for a permanent life insurance policy.

To ensure your policy has the most benefit, determine precisely how much coverage you need. To do this, make a list of all your financial obligations. Include outstanding debt and other final expenses, such as funeral costs. You should also consider your family’s current and future expenses, such as college tuition for your children or assisted living for your parents.

Many insurance providers have a free life insurance calculator built into their websites to assist with this process. All you have to do is answer a few questions, and the calculator will estimate the amount of coverage you need.

Before you purchase a policy, we recommend gathering life insurance quotes from at least three different companies, as rates can vary significantly. Although most insurers will consider the same basic factors when calculating your life insurance rates, they may weigh them differently. Shopping around is especially important if factors such as your age, health or family medical history are likely to be considered high risk factors by life insurers.

Insurance companies may also offer different benefits and options for accessing your policy’s cash value. For instance, some companies pay dividends, while others do not. You may also want to consider certain insurance riders, such as a waiver of premium. With this add-on, the insurance company will waive your premiums during times when an illness or disability prevents you from working.

Whole life insurance is a type of life insurance policy that provides coverage for your entire life or as long as you pay the premiums. When you die, your beneficiary will receive the designated payout. Although the premiums will be higher than those for a term policy with the same coverage amount, you will never have to apply for a new policy.

A whole life insurance policy also has a cash value, or a savings component that you can use in several ways, including to supplement your retirement income, help pay for your children’s college, or grow your business. You’ll also have peace of mind knowing your loved ones will be financially protected no matter when you die.

If you are unsure whether you need whole life insurance, speak to a licensed life insurance agent or your financial advisor. Whole life policies provide more guarantees and benefits than term policies, but that does not mean they are always the best choice. Before deciding, you may want to consider other life insurance options, such as variable universal life insurance.

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Best life insurance companies

Life insurance provides your loved ones with financial support should you unexpectedly pass away. It can also help them finance your funeral, cover your children's college tuition or pay off any debts you leave behind.

It's for these reasons that more than half of Americans currently have a life insurance policy, according to LIMRA.

If you're not one of them, it may be time to invest in life insurance. Just make sure to shop around to ensure you get the best coverage and premiums. Not sure where to start? Below we will analyze the best life insurance companies in six different categories: flexibility, term life insurance, whole life insurance, no-exam life insurance, comprehensive coverage and overall cost.

If you're in the market for life insurance then start by getting a free price quote now.

According to our comprehensive analysis, here are our picks for the best life insurance companies.

If you're looking for a life insurance company that allows you to change your plan and premium as often as your life changes, then Ladder is your best bet.

With Ladder, you can step up or step down your coverage (just as you'd climb up and down a ladder) as your needs evolve. If you pay down a good chunk of your mortgage, for example, you can ladder down, reducing your coverage and your premiums to boot. If you have another child, on the other hand, you might choose to ladder up, increasing your coverage to account for the extra dependent. 

Ladder's policies — which are all term life insurance plans — go up to $8 million. If your policy is under $3 million, no medical exams are required.

Get a free price estimate from Ladder to see if their policies work for you.

Haven only offers term life insurance, and it comes in two forms: Haven Term and Haven Simple. 

With Haven Term, you can get up to $3 million in coverage for 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 years, and consumers up to age 64 are eligible. The plan also offers fixed premiums for the entire policy term, and it comes with extras — like a digital will and free annual fitness app membership.

Haven Simple is another term life policy Haven offers, but with no medical exam whatsoever (Haven Term's exams are "likely" but not required on every policy). Because of this, you can apply for a Haven Simple plan and get coverage immediately — all online.

Simple policies go up to $1 million and are available in 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-year terms. Only consumers age 20 to 55 are eligible.

You can get a Haven price quote here now. 

If whole life insurance is what you're looking for, Amica has a number of options to choose from. The right fit just depends on your budget.

With Whole Life 20, for example, your payments are done in 20 years, and you enjoy continued coverage — up to $1 million — for the remainder of your life. Consumers up to age 80 can qualify. Whole Life 65 is a similar option, though it aims for payment completion by retirement age (65) rather than in 20 years flat. This can help you free up cash flow in retirement and ensure long-term coverage for your loved ones.

Finally, there's Whole Life 100, the company's lowest-cost option. With this one, you'll be done paying your premiums at age 100.

In all cases, your premiums are set for the entire term you agree to. Policies also have a cash value that can be borrowed from. They also come with a terminal illness rider that allows you to receive a portion of your death benefits early if you're diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Learn more about Amica's whole life insurance policies.

Many life insurance providers require medical exams before you can get coverage. With Ethos, that's not the case — on any of their plans. The company offers term life insurance and whole life insurance for seniors, and policies go up to $2 million in coverage. 

No matter which you choose, you'll never need blood work or a medical exam. "Ethos never requires a medical exam for anyone," the company states. "Regardless of your health status, with Ethos, you are eligible for a no-medical-exam life insurance policy."

Ethos policyholders also get access to free will and estate planning tools. 

Learn more about Ethos' no-exam policies here now.

AIG offers a whole host of life insurance options. If you're looking for the most comprehensive coverage, the company's permanent life insurance plans — which includes whole life, guaranteed issue and universal life — may be a smart choice. 

All three offer coverage for your entire lifetime, boast fixed premiums, and have a cash value that accumulates over time. On the universal life and whole life plans, you can get coverage up to $10 million. There are no age restrictions, either.

AIG also offers "quality of life" insurance, which provides you with financial support — or "living benefits" — prior to your death. 

Explore your life insurance options with AIG today.

Out of all the insurance providers we analyzed, Fidelity had the lowest premiums.

On a 20-year, $1 million term life insurance policy for a healthy 43-year-old woman from New Jersey, the monthly premiums were a mere $60 per month. The other providers we looked at ranged from $90 per month to $132 for the same policy.

Fidelity's term life policies go up to $10 million and come in 10-, 15-, or 20-year terms. Fidelity life insurance also offers universal and hybrid life insurance options.

Shopping around is critical for any insurance policy, so while our best life insurance companies are great starter points, make sure to include a few other companies, too. This will ensure you're getting the absolute best premiums and coverage. If you need assistance, consider working with an independent insurance agent who can guide the way. You can use the table below to get started now.

Average life insurance rates for January 2024

The average cost of a 20-year, $500,000 term life insurance policy for a healthy 30-year-old is $229 a year.  A whole life insurance policy for the same amount will cost a healthy 30-year-old an average of $373 a year. 

However, several factors contribute to your policy premium, including your age, health and desired type and amount of coverage. We’ve analyzed rates from top life insurance companies so you can get an idea of how much you may need to budget for life insurance costs.  

Why trust our insurance experts

Our team of experts evaluates hundreds of insurance products and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best product for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.

For a 20-year, $500,000 term life insurance policy, a 30-year-old woman can expect to pay an average of $205 a year. A man of the same age can expect life insurance costs of about $352 a year.

Whole life insurance, which is a type of permanent life insurance, offers long-term protection but at a higher rate. A 30-year-old woman shopping for a $500,000 whole life policy can expect an average life insurance rate of $352 per year. The same policy would cost a 30-year-old man an annual average of $394.

Term life insurance rates are cheaper than those for permanent life insurance. The younger and healthier you are when you purchase a policy, the lower your rates for term life insurance will be.

Term life insurance rates are generally cheaper for women. The table below provides the average cost of term life insurance for women from age 30 to age 60, with coverage amounts from $250,000 to $2 million.

When compared to term life insurance rates for women, men tend to pay more, and the difference increases with age. The table below provides the average cost of a 20-year term life insurance policy for men from age 30 to age 60, with coverage amounts from $250,000 to $2 million.

The term length you choose will play a major factor in your life insurance cost, with longer terms leading to higher rates when all other factors are the same. The table below shows average life insurance rates for a $500,000 life insurance policy based on the term length.

Many life insurance companies offer no-exam life insurance. This life insurance product allows eligible individuals to skip medical exams, which are required for life insurance policies that undergo traditional underwriting. 

The table below shows the average cost of no-exam life insurance policies with a 20-term and $500,000 in coverage. 

Permanent life insurance is more expensive than term life coverage because it lasts a lifetime and typically includes a cash value component in the form of a savings or investment account.

There are multiple types of permanent life insurance, including whole life insurance, universal life insurance, guaranteed universal life insurance and indexed universal life insurance. The type of coverage you choose is one of the factors that will dictate your life insurance costs.

Whole life insurance is more expensive than term life insurance because it includes a cash value component and lasts a lifetime. The tables below provide average whole life insurance rates by age and gender.

Insurers use several factors to determine how much life insurance costs. When you purchase a policy, your life insurance cost will be based on:

The amount of coverage you need often depends on your reason for buying a life insurance policy. You might be looking to ensure your loved ones have enough coverage to manage the loss of your salary or cover a mortgage when you die. Or you may want life insurance so your family can cover the cost of your funeral expenses. 

To determine how much coverage is right for you, identify and add up the expenses you want to cover or the income you want to replace. 

Some factors to consider include:

Another more straightforward way to choose a coverage amount is to multiply your annual income by 10. Just keep in mind that this method is best used as a starting point rather than a final solution. Otherwise, you may not choose a policy with enough coverage, especially if you are planning to have kids or are expecting to earn a higher income in later years.

A life insurance policy and the associated costs can be worth it, especially if any of the following are true:

Life insurance costs may not be worth it if you don’t have dependents who rely on you or if you have other means to support loved ones after your death, such as money in savings or a retirement account.  

The best way to determine if life insurance is worth it for you is to speak with a trusted financial advisor who can look at your entire financial picture and discuss your goals while alive and in the event of your death.

The best way to get the cheapest life insurance rates is to purchase coverage when you are young and healthy. Other ways to lower your life insurance costs include:

Our insurance experts evaluated the rates for more than 20 life insurance companies to determine the average cost of term and whole life coverage for individuals of varying ages. Our evaluation included rates for both males and females at ages 30, 40, 50 and 60 for coverage amounts between $250,000 and $2 million. Rates are based on healthy applicants who do not use nicotine or tobacco products.

Average life insurance rates FAQ

It’s best to buy life insurance when you’re young, such as in your 20s or 30s. Life insurance premiums are lower the younger you are. Purchasing a policy earlier in life can help you find the cheapest life insurance policy for the amount of coverage you want and save you substantial money over the course of your lifetime.

Males typically pay more for life insurance than females. However, life insurance rates depend on numerous factors, including your age, health, smoking or nicotine use status and the type and amount of coverage you want. That’s why it’s so important to shop around for coverage and compare life insurance quotes before you make your decision.

While most life insurance companies won’t factor in your credit score when determining your life insurance rate, some aspects of your credit history may be factored in. For instance, a life insurance company may look at your credit history to see if you’ve filed for bankruptcy, and they may factor certain attributes into your overall risk factor. It’s important to note that all life insurance companies set their own approach to the underwriting process, what factors they will consider and how they weigh those factors.

Protective has the best life insurance, based on our analysis. However, the best company for you will depend on the type of coverage you want.

If you’re looking for the best term life insurance, Symetra may be a good fit.

If you’re shopping for the best whole life insurance, State Farm or Northwestern Mutual are worth considering.

Compare life insurance quotes to determine which company best meets your unique needs and offers coverage at an affordable price.

The average cost of life insurance for a healthy 30-year-old woman buying a 20-year, $250,000 term life insurance policy is $12 a month. A healthy man of the same age would pay an average of $14 per month for the same policy.

How much you pay for coverage will depend on your age, height and weight, overall health, family health and your nicotine or marijuana usage status, among other factors.

The type of life insurance policy and amount of coverage will also impact your rates.

The table below shows average monthly rates for $250,000 and $500,000 20-year term life insurance policies for women and men at ages 30, 40 and 50.

The table below shows average monthly rates for $250,000 and $500,000 whole life insurance policies for women and men at ages 30, 40 and 50.

Term life insurance is a policy that locks in rates and coverage for a set period of time, or term. If you die during the term, your beneficiaries will receive a death benefit.

When the term is up, you can usually renew the policy, for a higher rate. If you don’t renew it, your policy will expire and your beneficiaries will no longer receive a death benefit when you die.

Learn more: How life insurance works.

We analyzed the monthly rate for a 20-year, $500,000 life insurance policy and found that:

How much you pay for a $500,000 life insurance policy will vary depending on the type of coverage you purchase as well as other factors, such as your age, health and gender.

Here are some examples of how much a $500,000 policy may cost depending on your age, gender and selected policy type.

Average monthly cost of a $500,000 term life policy for a man

Devon Delfino is a writer who’s covered personal finance—including everything from student loans to budgeting to saving for retirement and beyond—for the past six years. Her financial reporting has appeared in publications like the L.A. Times, U.S. News and World Report, Teen Vogue, Mashable, Insider, MarketWatch, CNBC and USA TODAY, among others.

Jennifer Lobb is deputy editor at USA TODAY Blueprint and is an experienced insurance and personal finance writer. Jennifer served as an insurance staff writer and editor at U.S. News and World Report and deputy editor of insurance at Forbes Advisor. She also spent several years covering finance and insurance for various financial media sites, including LendingTree and Investopedia. For nearly a decade, she’s helped consumers make educated decisions about the products that protect their finances, families and homes.