The Variable Life Option
If you are looking for alternatives to whole life policies that allow investments and withdrawals, you should consider this option. Variable Appreciative Life Insurance is the formal name for this sort of policy, which allows individuals to set aside a portion of their premiums to a separate account. The proceeds in that account are then invested in the insurer's portfolio, into things like mutual funds, money markets, and bond funds. One benefit is that you are not taxed on the money made from these investments until after death, when the policy pays out. You can also use the money earned in your “savings” account to your premiums, so once you start making a sizable income on your investments, you will not have to pay much out of pocket to keep your coverage in force.
Unfortunately, with variable life, you are getting cheaper rates because you are assuming a large portion of the risk. Your investments are not protected or guaranteed, and you cannot withdraw cash from the policy before your death. If those things are important to you, you would be better off to consider a whole life situation with a higher premium to go along with the increased protection it offers.




