National Life Launches Innovative New Indexed Universal Life Insurance Products (2024)

Montpelier, VT (October 28, 2019)- National Life Group, one of the nation’s fastest growing group of life insurance companies, today enhanced its suite of industry-leading indexed universal life (IUL) products.1

The new FlexLife IUL is designed to meet the needs of consumers in middle America, the most underserved market in the country. And the complementary PeakLife product is designed specifically for larger policies and in many cases the needs of business customers.

“We are reaffirming with both of these products our commitment to bring peace of mind to everyone we touch,” said Mehran Assadi, chairman, CEO and president of National Life. “We’ve long been known for the innovative life insurance that we offer. Our new PeakLife and FlexLife products continue that tradition.”

Both FlexLife and PeakLife are indexed universal life insurance and they feature an expanded set of interest crediting options. They also both have enhanced and simplified methods for advisors to illustrate the policies’ features and benefits to potential customers, making the communication clearer and easier to understand.

“We believe this is the simplest illustration system in the marketplace,” said Achim Schwetlick, National Life’s senior vice president for product development and marketing.

Peak Life and FlexLife both also feature enhanced living benefits riders2, which allow customers to access their policy in the event of a qualifying critical illness or injury, terminal or chronic illness. And the new products also include an expanded underwriting program that offers faster issuance of policies up to $2 million.

National Life’s nationwide team of financial professionals is available to discuss FlexLife, Peak Life and a full array of products.

National Life is here to bring you peace of mind. We’ve been keeping our promises since 1848. Believe in tomorrow, do good today. Learn more at NationalLife.com

Contact: Ross Sneyd, corporate communications, National Life Group, 802.229.3866

National Life Group® is a trade name of National Life Insurance Company, founded in Montpelier, Vt., in 1848, Life Insurance Company of the Southwest, Addison, Texas, chartered in 1955, and their affiliates. Each company of National Life Group is solely responsible for its own financial condition and contractual obligations. Life Insurance Company of the Southwest is not an authorized insurer in New York and does not conduct insurance business in New York.

Indexed universal life insurance policies do not directly participate in any stock or equity investments.

This communication is not approved for use in California.

1 Fastest growing for life sales among all reporting life insurance companies from 2013-2018 with individual life sales of at least $50 mm in 2013 – LIMRA Sales Rankings, 2018

2 FlexLife NL and PeakLife NL Indexed Universal Life Insurance, form series 20607/ICC19-20607(0119), and Accelerated Benefits Riders, form series 7490/7493/8591NY/8765/9744/ICC10-884320285/ICC15-20285/20286/ICC15-20286 are underwritten by National Life Insurance Company.

FlexLife and PeakLife Indexed Universal Life Insurance, form series 20608/ICC19/20608(0119), and Accelerated Benefits Riders, form series 8052/8095/8165/8766/ICC10-8844/20287/ICC15-20287/20288/ICC15-20288 are underwritten by Life Insurance Company of the Southwest, Addison, Texas.

This product is a life insurance policy with a rider that accelerates the death benefit on account of chronic illness and is not a health insurance policy providing long-term care insurance subject to the minimum requirements of New York Law, does not qualify for the New York State Long Term Care Partnership program and is not a Medicare supplement policy.

Accelerated Benefit Riders are optional, may be subject to underwriting, exclusions and/or limitations and may not be available in all states. Receipt of accelerated benefits reduces the Death Benefit and cash value (if any) otherwise payable under the policy, may be a taxable event and may affect your eligibility for public assistance programs, such as medical assistance (Medicaid), Aid to Families with Dependent Children, and Supplemental Security Income. Please consult your personal tax advisor to determine the tax status of any benefits paid under this rider and with social service agencies concerning how receipt of such a payment will affect you, your spouse and your family’s eligibility for public assistance.

This rider is intended for favorable tax treatment under Section 101(g) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 101(g)). Whether such benefits qualify depends on factors such as your life expectancy at the time benefits are accelerated or how the benefits are used. There is no restriction placed on the use of the accelerated benefit. The actual payment you receive will be less than the portion of the death benefit accelerated because the benefits are paid prior to death. Values are based on a current interest rate and mortality rates. There is an initial administrative fee at the time the rider is exercised. We currently limit the amount of death benefit that may be accelerated under all contracts made over the entire lifetime of the insured to $1,500,000 for terminal or chronic illness, and $1,000,000 for crucial illness or injury. We reserve the right to change this limit in the future; however, the limit will never be less than $500,000. Other restrictions, limitations and waiting periods may apply.

TC110798(1019)1

National Life Launches Innovative New Indexed Universal Life Insurance Products (2024)

FAQs

What is the downside of IUL? ›

This type of life insurance offers permanent coverage as long as premiums are paid. Some of the drawbacks include possible limits on annual returns and no guarantees as to the premium amounts or future market returns. An IUL policy may be canceled if you stop paying premiums.

Are IULS a good investment? ›

Even though pundits say IUL is a bad investment because it doesn't outperform the S&P 500, its more conservative risk profile and preferential tax treatment makes IUL a good investment to own in retirement (assuming its designed, funded, and managed properly).

Is an IUL better than a 401k? ›

IUL offers tax-free withdrawals and protection against market losses but may have higher fees. A 401(k) provides employer-matching contributions and tax-deferred growth but imposes restrictions on early withdrawals. Consider these key differences to make an informed decision.

What is the 7 pay rule for IUL? ›

Summary. The 7 Pay Rule is the idea that you should pay in to your IUL policy for 7 years before taking withdrawals or loans from the cash value. This rule is important for policy holders in order to maximize their cash value and ensure that they are able to capture the most out of the index's performance.

Can you lose money in an IUL policy? ›

Can You Lose Money in an Indexed Universal Life Insurance Policy (IUL)? It is unlikely you will lose money in an IUL because insurance providers set a guarantee for your principal to protect it against losses in the market. However, there is also often a cap on the maximum amount you can earn.

Why do people not like IUL? ›

Some of the drawbacks include caps on returns and no guarantees as to the premium amounts or market returns. An IUL insurance policy may be canceled if you stop paying premiums. IUL policies are generally best for those with large up-front investments who want options for a tax-free retirement.

Can you withdraw money from IUL? ›

While you can access your cash value in an IUL policy, there are certain cases when taking out the money will be taxable. For instance, you can withdraw up to your basis (the amount you've paid into the policy) tax-free.

Is Roth IRA better than IUL? ›

IULs, different from Roth IRAs, don't have contribution limits and anyone can get them no matter their income. They come with tax perks like death benefits that skip estate taxes. But, Roth IRAs do limit contributions while letting your post-tax money grow without any taxes.

Can I use my IUL to buy a house? ›

The key is to use the cash value as collateral for a loan. You can borrow against the cash value of your IUL account and use that money to buy real estate. This method allows you to avoid traditional financing, which can come with high interest rates and strict eligibility requirements.

How do you make money with an IUL? ›

You can choose which accounts to invest in based on what the insurer has to offer. The insurer then pays interest to policyholders based on the performance of the index. As the index goes up, the account earns interest. If the index drops, the account earns less or nothing.

What's better than an IUL? ›

IUL vs.

Indexed universal life (IUL) policies have flexible payments with cash accumulation pegged to the performance of an equity index. Whole life insurance is safer and simpler. IUL has higher upside potential, but is riskier and takes more work to manage.

Can you put a lump sum in an IUL? ›

LUMP SUM INTO IUL 💰 Usually when people have a lump sum and they want to put that money into an IUL, I'll usually recommend a couple things: 1. Depending on the amount, spread that over a span of 5-7 years. Sometimes less or more but it will give you a better cash value growth because you can lower the death benefit.

What is the 7 year rule for IUL? ›

What Is the 7-Pay Rule for IUL? The 7-pay rule is a federal tax qualification test applied to life insurance policies, including Indexed Universal Life policies, to determine how much in policy premiums you can pay in policy premiums over its first seven years (or seven years after a material change).

Do you have to pay back money from IUL? ›

A: You are not required to repay an IUL policy loan. However, choosing not to pay interest or repay can have severe consequences for your policy: Reduced Death Benefit: Any outstanding loan balance, plus the annual interest due, will be deducted from the death benefit your beneficiaries receive.

What is better than a IUL? ›

IUL vs.

Indexed universal life (IUL) policies have flexible payments with cash accumulation pegged to the performance of an equity index. Whole life insurance is safer and simpler. IUL has higher upside potential, but is riskier and takes more work to manage.

Is a Roth IRA better than an IUL? ›

While there are many benefits, IULs are hybrid products that come with some significant drawbacks compared with Roth IRAs and other more traditional retirement products. These include: High commissions, fees, and insurance premiums. Complex regulations and terms.

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