Permanent life insurance refers to coverage that never expires, unlike term life insurance, and combines a death benefit with a savings component.
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Permanent life insurance is an umbrella term for life insurance policies that do not expire. The two primary types of permanent life insurance are whole life and universal life, and most permanent life insurance combines a death benefit with a savings portion. Whole life insurance offers coverage for the full lifetime of the insured, and its savings can grow at a guaranteed rate.
Unlike term life insurance, which promises the payment of a specified death benefit for a specific period of years, permanent life insurance lasts the lifetime of the insured (hence, the name) unless nonpayment of premiums causes the policy to lapse.
Permanent life insurance premiums go toward both maintaining the policy’s death benefit and allowing the policy to build cash value. The policy owner can borrow funds against that cash value or, in some instances, withdraw cash from it outright to help meet needs such as paying for a child’s college education or covering medical expenses.