A life insurance policy guarantees a regular income stream during retirement. A life insurance plan can guarantee a steady stream of income during your retirement years. When an insurance plan matures, you could invest in an annuity and enjoy a steady income every month after your retirement.
You can also use life insurance for retirement by borrowing from your cash value. Think of it as a loan you’re getting from your future self.
With the right insurance plan, you can safeguard your legacy and prepare for unforeseen expenses. Here are three reasons to consider life insurance as a retirement plan. It’s not too late to start. Read on to learn more.
For almost everyone else, the best way to incorporate life insurance into retirement planning is to buy a simple term life policy with an adequate death benefit and invest any other disposable income in tax-advantaged retirement accounts.
Tax advantages
In the US, a person can buy life insurance as part of a retirement plan and pay for it with pre-tax dollars. In the event that the policy is terminated, the distribution will trigger taxation based on the market value of the policy, as defined by IRS Revenue Procedure 2005-25 (the PERC calculation). Purchasing a policy issued by a financially stable insurance carrier is essential in minimizing taxes on the qualified retirement account distribution.
One of the major advantages of owning a life insurance policy as a retirement plan is that it provides a tax-free accumulation of cash value. The tax advantages of life insurance also come with the flexibility to switch your portfolio as your personal income increases. With other types of retirement plans, you’ll have to wait until you’re 59 1/2 years old to access the money, but with a life insurance policy, the cash value is tax-deferred. That means you can withdraw the money tax-free, and your savings will not contribute additional taxes as your income increases.
Growth potential
Life insurance has many benefits for people planning for retirement. One of these benefits is its potential growth. It allows you to accumulate cash value. When invested properly, this cash value can be a valuable asset in retirement. Depending on the policy, you can use it to pay premiums or withdraw cash value as needed. You can also purchase riders to protect your savings from medical bills. Riders can also provide a guaranteed death benefit or a cash value with a calculated rate of return. Riders may not provide a guaranteed rate of return but can be a reliable source of steady growth. However, riders are typically more expensive and offer fewer guarantees.
A life insurance policy can help bridge the retirement income gap. It can provide tax-deferred accumulation and can serve as an emergency fund during retirement. Whole life insurance policies also allow you to withdraw the cash value from your policy tax-free, which is advantageous in bull markets. And you can also borrow against the policy without owing taxes. Another advantage of whole life insurance is its tax-deferred growth.
Access to the cash value
One of the biggest advantages of life insurance as a retirement plan is its tax-deferred growth potential. A cash value policy pays a tax-free death benefit to the beneficiaries upon your death, and the money you accumulate is accessible for many different purposes, including day-to-day living expenses and paying down a mortgage. Access to cash value is another attractive feature of this plan. Cash-value life insurance premiums are allocated into an investment option, and the accumulated interest will compound tax-deferred. This type of policy is particularly appealing to people who contribute the maximum amount of money to retirement accounts each year.
However, you should consider the risks associated with this type of retirement plan. First, cash value life insurance is not FDIC-insured, so your account may suffer losses based on investment performance. Additionally, there are often other fees and expenses associated with accessing the cash value of your life insurance policy, which could reduce the amount of cash you accumulate. A 401K can fluctuate in value, so if your cash value is low, you may wish to consider investing in other, higher-risk investments.
Income protection
Many people opt for income protection with life insurance as a retirement plan because it is affordable, easy to manage, and offers comprehensive coverage. A policy that replaces 60 percent of gross taxable pay can cover a variety of needs including mortgage payments, insurance premiums, food, automobile operation and maintenance, installment payments, taxes, and more. The best coverage option is one that guarantees a certain payout for the duration of the policy or is index-linked. This option means that your premiums are set for the entire length of the policy unless you decide to opt for a higher amount. Depending on your health, an income protection policy may cost a little more, but it will provide peace of mind.
To qualify for Income Protection insurance, psychologists should submit proof of insurability. Upon submitting adequate proof of insurability, the policy will not become effective until the first day of the following month. If you are under 65 years old, you must be a resident of the United States or Canada. For those who qualify, there is a guaranteed increase in income each May. However, you must be employed in order to take advantage of the Guaranteed Insurability Option.