Indexed Universal Life

Explore a collection of IUL articles designed to help you better understand how Indexed Universal Life works, what impacts policy performance, and how proper structure can support long-term financial goals.

Is an IUL a fit?

Protection first, built for the long term

An Indexed Universal Life policy is permanent life insurance that can also build cash value over time. How it is structured from the beginning often matters more than the illustration.

Often a good fit when

  • You want lifelong protection for your family
  • You can fund a policy consistently for 10 years or more
  • You want cash value growth potential with a 0% floor on credited interest

Questions we help you answer

  • How should the death benefit and premium be balanced?
  • Is my existing IUL structured and funded correctly?
  • How do policy loans and withdrawals work over time?

Not the right fit when

  • You only need coverage for a set number of years (term may cost less)
  • You cannot commit to funding the policy over time
  • You are looking for market returns or a short-term result
How indexed crediting works in fixed indexed annuities and IULs
Index change Interest credited Cap
-10% 0% 10% 20% 10% cap 0% floor Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Yr 4 Yr 5 Yr 6
Hypothetical example for education only. Both fixed indexed annuities and IULs use this idea. When the index falls, the contract is credited 0% instead of a loss; when it rises, credited interest is limited by the cap. Caps and participation rates vary by insurer and can change, and contract or policy charges may still apply.

How indexed crediting works

Fixed indexed annuities and Indexed Universal Life both credit interest based partly on a market index. In years the index falls, the contract is credited 0% rather than a loss. In years it rises, credited interest is limited by a cap or participation rate set by the insurer. Understanding these limits up front is part of every review we do.

Watch: how we structure an IUL

Brandon walks through how Lenhoff Financial works with clients and how the structure of an Indexed Universal Life policy affects its long-term performance.

Indexed Universal Life is life insurance, not an investment. Policy loans and withdrawals can be income-tax-free when the policy is structured and managed properly; this is not tax advice. Guarantees are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurer.

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