How to use life insurance to pay off debt (2024)

FAQs

Can you pull from life insurance to pay off debt? ›

Cash Value Withdrawal: If you have a permanent life insurance policy, such as a whole life or endowment policy, you can withdraw a portion of the policy's cash value to pay off your debts. Keep in mind that withdrawing cash value may reduce the death benefit and could have tax implications.

It is also important to note that in order to borrow from your life insurance plan you will first need to accrue cash-value by paying into your policies. You can expect to pay into your policy for at least two years before being able to borrow any material amount of money against your permanent life insurance policy.

But depending on the type of policy you have, you may also benefit from your coverage while you're alive. You could potentially take a loan from your policy, withdraw the cash value it's accrued over time, use a living benefit rider or sell your policy.

You can withdraw money from a permanent life insurance policy, but not a term life insurance policy. If you're in need of quick cash, there may be better alternatives to explore that won't put your loved ones' financial health at risk once you're gone.

You can withdraw up to the amount you've paid in premiums without paying taxes on the funds. Withdrawals will reduce the death benefit. Take out a loan. A life insurance policy loan allows you to borrow money from your life insurance policy.

Process for Getting Cash from Life Insurance

Payments minus the fees are usually made between 14 and 60 days after a request is received.

Most whole life insurance policies mature at 121 years, although some mature at 100 years. Say, for example, that you purchase an insurance policy with a face value of $10,000. Once the policy matures, the cash value of the policy should equal $10,000.

Borrowing money from a life insurance policy may be a better option than borrowing money from a bank for some policyholders. If you have poor credit or have been turned down for a bank loan, borrowing against your life policy may provide the funds your bank will not.

Examples of Cash Value Life Insurance

An example is a cash value life insurance policy with a $25,000 death benefit. Assuming you don't take out a loan or withdraw, the cash value accumulates to $5,000. After the policyholder's death, the insurance company would pay out the full death benefit, which would be $25,000.

If you're considering how to use life insurance to build wealth, then you can start by looking for a policy with a cash value component. For cash value accounts, the insurer takes part of your insurance premium and puts it into an account intended to increase in value over time.

How to use your life insurance while alive? ›

There are four ways to use your life insurance while you are still alive: borrowing against your policy, claiming accelerated death benefits, cashing out your policy and selling your policy. Some choices are only available in specific circ*mstances or under certain policies.

Most importantly, you can only borrow against a permanent life insurance policy, meaning either a whole life insurance or universal life insurance policy. Term life insurance, a cheaper and more suitable option for many people, does not have a cash value.

Cash value: In most cases, the cash value portion of a life insurance policy doesn't begin to accrue until 2-5 years have passed. Once cash value begins to build, it becomes available to you according to your policy's guidelines.

Can you cash out a life insurance policy before death? If you have a permanent life insurance policy that has accumulated cash value, then yes, you can take cash out before your death.

Life insurance may not pay out if the policy expires, premiums aren't paid, or there are false statements on the application. Other reasons include death from illegal activities, suicide, or homicide, with insurers investigating claims thoroughly.

Even if no one is responsible for your debts after you die, you may still want coverage. A life insurance payout can help your beneficiaries pay off the debt so the money in your estate can go to your heirs.

Occasionally, if we're experiencing a shortage of funds, we might consider accelerating our death benefits to help pay for bills. Before considering this option, it is important to learn your policy to avoid any unforeseen costs and know whether your health condition makes you a candidate.

Credit life insurance is a type of life insurance policy designed to pay off a borrower's outstanding debts if the policyholder dies.

Credit life insurance is generally a type of life insurance that may help repay a loan if you should die before the loan is fully repaid under the terms set out in the account agreement.