Term Insurance vs Whole Life Insurance: Which One is better for you?

The thinking that insurance is unnecessary has a direct impact on the individual and his family. As it is the family that goes through both, financial and emotional turmoil, in case an earning member dies unexpectedly.

Life surprises us a lot, these surprises may not always be delightful, and they can be devastating too. The grief of losing a member is difficult to forgo but his financial responsibilities can be transferred to something called Insurance in general and Life/term insurance in particular. One needs a clear understanding of the types of insurance (term insurance vs whole life insurance) before actually opting for insurance. The ‘why’ behind insurance is clear but the ‘which’ needs to be answered and understood.

What is Term Insurance? 

Term insurance, as the name suggests, is valid for a specific period of time and offers a death benefit to the nominee in the event of the death of the insured. However, the policy is useless if the policyholder survives the insured period as there is no maturity benefit. The advantage here is the low premium that attracts many buyers most of which are people in the age group of 25-30. But here is the catch, the premium in term insurance keeps on increasing with time. This along with the ‘no maturity benefit’ clause makes the customer think about the long-term benefits of the plan.

What is Permanent/Whole Life Insurance? 

On the other hand, is Whole life or permanent life insurance. Premium, though high, is fixed. There is a death benefit along with an income benefit (a cash account that is exempted from any taxes). Cash accumulated over time can be used or retained at the sole discretion of the policyholder. The cash can even be used for premium deduction or saved for retirement. Individuals above 40 years of age are advised to purchase whole life insurance. Such individuals have more liabilities in the form of spouses and children, so there is a need for both financial security and life protection. The high premium is the only concern of customers when buying whole life insurance.

Term Insurance vs Whole Life Insurance

Which insurance to buy can be answered by considering factors such as age and purpose (of buying the insurance) Someone as young as 25 should opt for a term plan and convert it into whole life insurance to save on the premiums in the early years of life. But a person aged 40 years or above should consider buying permanent life insurance. But before buying the latter one must ensure that they have cleared all their debts, are not suffering from any critical illness, are financially sound, and have sufficient funds for child education and everything else. Also, you can make use of a term insurance calculator to know the exact amount of premium to be paid towards the policy. Certain parameters help to evaluate which insurance plan is right for you as per your requirements: 

*All savings are provided by the insurer as per the IRDAI approved insurance plan. Standard T&C Apply

Which One To Choose? 

A term insurance plan is an ideal plan if you are in your early ages such as your 20s or 30s and not married. The early you purchase, the lower premium it will be with a high sum assured. In addition to this, if you have any current health concerns, term insurance plans provide good returns in a short term. In your 30s and when you are married, you must top the current term plan with a whole life plan rider. This provides you dual benefits of the cash value that comes with the term plan and the financial benefits of rider to your loved ones in case of your absence. In your 40s, you should go for a whole life insurance plan. This plan covers you for a lifetime and protects your family’s future after your death. So, select the right plan keeping the above points in mind. 

Wrapping It Up!

Before buying term or whole life insurance it is advisable to precisely understand both types of insurance and also keep in mind your age and the purpose of purchasing the insurance.