Key takeaways

  • Term life insurance is active for a set length of time (typically 10, 20 or 30 years). In contrast, whole life insurance covers you for your entire life (as long as you pay your premiums).
  • Both term and whole life insurance provide a death benefit — or cash payout up to the limit of coverage you carry — to your beneficiary (or beneficiaries) if you pass away while your policy is active. Death benefits are usually tax-free.
  • Term life insurance is usually the less expensive option, but it lacks the cash value component of whole life insurance.
  • You may be able to take out a loan against your whole life insurance. This feature is not available with term life policies.

If you’re looking for a new life insurance policy, there’s a good chance you’ve considered options for both whole and term life insurance policies. But what exactly is the difference between whole life and term life insurance? While both provide financial death benefits when the policyholder passes away, there are a couple of important factors that separate these policy types. Below, we’ve compared the differences between term life and whole life to help you figure out what type of life insurance is right for you and your family. We’ve also included some pointers on how to determine which one might be the better option based on your circumstances.

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What is the difference between term and whole life insurance?

There are two significant differences between term vs. whole life insurance: the length that the policy is in effect and the cash value benefit.

  • Length of policy: With term life insurance, you’ll have a set time limit on your coverage. On the other hand, whole life insurance, which is known as permanent life insurance, remains in effect for your lifetime (as long as you pay your premiums).
  • Cash value benefit: Term life insurance premiums go toward the death benefit you will leave to your beneficiaries. But with whole life insurance, part of the premiums go toward the death benefit, while another portion goes into a cash value savings account that you’re able access while you are alive.

Let’s take a closer look at the features, advantages and disadvantages of each policy type, as well as a deeper dive into the difference between term and whole life insurance.

Whole life insurance

Whole life insurance is a type of permanent insurance because it is designed to cover you from the time you purchase a policy, until you pass away. Whole life is a traditional form of life insurance that features a fixed premium rate and pays a fixed death benefit when you pass away. In addition, whole life insurance also features a cash value savings vehicle.

Here are some important things to know about whole life policies:

  • Cash value: Part of your premiums are set aside in a savings account, known as cash value. You have the option to withdraw or borrow the cash value while you are still living, and use the money for any purpose. However, the cash value is usually only accessible while you are alive and will not be included in your death benefit.
  • Value to beneficiary: When the insured passes away, their designated beneficiary receives the entire face value (also called the death benefit), less any outstanding loan taken from the cash value. As noted above, any remaining cash value is typically not included in the death benefit.
  • Payment schedules: Most insurers give the option to pay a whole life premium monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually. These types of policies cover you as long as you continue to pay the premium.
  • Dividends: If you buy whole life insurance from a mutual company, you might be eligible to receive dividends, based on the company’s financial performance. Reinvesting these dividends can help your cash value grow more quickly.
  • Prequalification: Depending on the policy, you may be expected to provide your medical history via a health questionnaire or take a medical exam.
  • Pricing: Whole life insurance is generally more expensive when compared to term life because the policy covers you for as long as you live and includes cash value benefits.
Policy features Pros Cons
Cash value Borrow from or draw on the growing amount Must be paid back or will be deducted from the death benefit
Payment schedule Monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually May be subject to additional fees for breaking up the payment throughout the year
Value to beneficiary Face value paid to beneficiary regardless of age when you pass away (if over 18) Any outstanding loan against the cash value could reduce the death benefit amount
Dividends Could earn dividends based on company’s financial performance Dividends are not guaranteed and are only available from certain companies
Prequalifications May not require a medical exam Coverage could be expensive depending on medical history

Term life insurance

Term life insurance can be purchased for a set amount of time, such as 30 years. After this period, your coverage will end, unless the policy is renewable or convertible. If it is, insurers typically require you to trigger those options several months before your term ends (if the policy doesn’t renew automatically). Keep in mind that policies that are renewed generally happen at a new rate. When comparing term vs. whole life insurance, term coverage is generally less expensive.

Consider the following factors that affect term life insurance.

  • Terms: Term life insurance often pays a set face value and covers you for a specific period, typically ranging between five and 30 years. The 20-year term policy is the most common, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
  • Medical requirements: To get a term life policy, you may have to answer health questions or take a medical exam. Some policies feature a renewable option which allows you to renew the policy for another term on an annual basis, oftentimes without taking another medical exam, but the rate will be based on your current age.
  • Age limits: Many term life policies have an age limit, usually around 80. So, if you want to renew a 20-year policy at age 65, the insurer might only offer you a 15-year term to continue coverage.
  • Premiums: Term life insurance companies base your premium on a few factors, including your age, health at the time of application or renewal and life expectancy. Term life insurance is much more affordable for people at a younger age and in good health than whole life. However, it’s common for term policy premiums to increase as you age.
  • Level vs. decreasing term policies: When buying a term life policy, you may need to choose between a level term or a decreasing term. With a level term, you’ll pay the same premium and have the same amount of coverage for the length of your policy. With a decreasing term, the death benefit diminishes over the life of the term, usually at a monthly or yearly rate. Many people choose a decreasing term policy to provide coverage for a mortgage.
  • Convertible and return-of-premium term policies: Some term life policies are convertible, allowing you to convert them to a permanent policy after a certain period without taking another medical exam. A policy with a return-of-premium feature pays back a portion of the money you paid after the term ends, but this benefit comes with much higher premiums.
Policy features Pros Cons
Terms and medical requirements Terms typically range from five to 30 years and usually involve medical questions, but possibly a medical exam may be skippable Optional renewable term feature can be expensive, health history may require a medical exam
Age limits Usually available to most adults up to age 80 Seniors may not qualify for term and renewable options may be limited
Premiums Typically much cheaper than whole life for same death benefit Health concerns could lead to higher premiums
Decreasing term policies Can provide coverage for a mortgage Premiums stay the same, but death benefit decreases
Convertible and return-of-premium term policies Able to convert term to whole life or get a portion of premium returned after term expires Whole life is more expensive than term life and uses current age when converting, return-of-premium is provided at higher costs

Term vs. whole life insurance

Whole life and term life policies have one major thing in common — they both pay a death benefit when you pass away. So, for example, if you have a $100,000 term life policy and you pass away during the term, your beneficiary will receive $100,000.

Likewise, if you purchase a $100,000 whole life policy and continue to pay the premium until you die, that policy will pay $100,000. With both term life and whole life, the death benefit is typically distributed tax-free and can be used for any purpose.

Why choose term life insurance Why choose whole life insurance
Usually has cheaper premiums Cash value and potential for dividends
Good health history could waive medical exam Medical exam isn’t always required
Can typically purchase much higher death benefit amounts Option to take a loan against the cash value
Flexible choice of terms Life-long coverage

Age

Whole and term life policies also approach an applicant’s age in a similar way. With both types of life insurance, you will pay a lower premium if you purchase a policy while you are relatively young. If you wait until you are in your 60s, you will pay a much higher rate or may not qualify due to a medical condition.

Duration

When comparing term versus whole life insurance, the two types of policies have a few significant differences. Term life only covers you for the length of the term, while whole life continues to cover you until the end of life under most circumstances. However, some term life policies can be continued after the term ends, if the policy is convertible or renewable, as long as you meet your policy’s deadlines for conversion or renewal. Many term policies also automatically renew at the end of the term, but at a new rate.

Prequalification

The process of prequalifying for a term life or whole life insurance policy depends on a few factors, including the insurance company’s underwriting process, your overall health and the amount of coverage you want.

For either term life or whole life, you will need to submit some information about yourself in order for the insurance carrier to determine if you qualify. This might be an in-depth health questionnaire with information about your age, health history, family medical history, surgeries and hobbies. Alternatively, it could be an in-person medical exam or a phone interview with an agent from the life insurance company.

Some life insurance companies make the prequalification process even easier, requiring just a few simple questions about your age, gender and overall health. However, keep in mind that term life and whole life policies that don’t require a medical exam are typically more expensive. If you are in relatively good health and can pass a medical exam, you will probably find that your premium will be much less expensive if you go this route.

Savings benefits

The savings account feature of a whole life policy sets it apart from term life coverage. Whole life policies build cash value, whereas term life insurance does not. Some term life insurance policies include a return-of-premium rider, which allows you to recoup a portion of the premiums you paid, but not all policies have this feature.

Which is better: term or whole life insurance?

Choosing between term life vs. whole life will depend on your goals and needs. Here are some things to consider when deciding which type of life insurance is right for you.

Planning for your future

It’s important to choose a life insurance policy that aligns with your future financial needs and goals. To determine how much life insurance you need, you might want to use a tool such as a life insurance calculator to get a ballpark figure and consider consulting a life insurance professional or certified financial planner  to ensure you are choosing the right policy for you.

Growth opportunity

If you are looking for a policy where your money will grow, a whole life insurance policy might be the best option. Most whole life insurance policies have cash value, which grows at a fixed interest rate, and can be withdrawn while you are still living. You can also find whole life policies that can potentially earn annual dividends, possibly increasing your cash value even more. Keep in mind that most cash value accounts will not be included in your death benefit.

There are several other types of permanent life insurance that can grow your money, as well. Universal life policies work like whole life policies, but funds deposited into the cash value account earn money based on a money market interest rate. After your universal life policy matures, you can also alter the premium payments using your cash value.

Variable life insurance policies also provide permanent coverage, while offering even more flexibility by enabling you to invest the savings portion of your policy in bonds, money market mutual funds or stocks. However, variable life policies can pose a greater risk because you could decrease your cash value and death benefit if your investment underperforms.

Life stages

The best type of life insurance for you will also depend on your current stage of life. For instance, if you are young and want a low-cost policy, term life insurance might be a good choice. If you choose a flexible policy, like variable life, and invest well, you could see significant earnings by the time you retire.

Something else to consider: You can use term life policies for added protection during critical periods of your life. For instance, if you just sent your daughter off to college, you could buy a five-year term policy to cover the cost of her education in case you pass away before she graduates.

Frequently asked questions

    • The death benefit is the amount paid out to your named beneficiary after you die. It is the only benefit of a term life insurance policy, unless you purchase riders or additional features. Whole life insurance has a death benefit and cash value.
    • With a whole life policy, a portion of the premiums you pay goes toward the cash value, which essentially acts as a savings account. Your cash value investment grows at a fixed interest rate, and you can make withdrawals or borrow from the balance while you are still living. In most instances, the cash value portion of your account will not be included in your death benefit.
    • In general, whole life has higher premiums than term life. However, many factors determine the cost of life insurance, including your age, health and life expectancy. Regardless of whether you choose term or whole life coverage, rates will be lower if coverage is purchased when you are younger.
    • Term life coverage expires when the term ends. If you outlive the term, the only way to continue your coverage is if your policy is convertible or renewable and you either have a policy that will auto-renew or have triggered the conversion or renewal based on your policy’s deadlines, which are typically several months before your term ends. With convertible term life, you have the option to convert your term policy into a permanent life insurance policy without taking a medical exam. Renewable term policies can be renewed on an annual basis, but your premium will increase with age. In addition, there’s usually a maximum renewal age, which means you likely can’t keep your term life insurance forever.
    • During the application process, most life insurer health questionnaires will include a few COVID-19 questions. Previously having COVID should not impact your ability to purchase new life insurance coverage, according to the Insurance Information Institute. However, if you are experiencing long COVID symptoms, that may be considered a chronic condition and could impact the rate you are charged.