term, the policy will go away once the term is over (meaning your bene - ficiary will not receive a death bene - fit). You have no equity in the policy, and no payout. With permanent life insurance, you’re buying the policy for the rest of your life, and as long as you pay your premiums, it doesn’t expire. It’s always there, no matter when you die. This option has an accumulated value component, which is guaran - teed to grow over time. The death benefit is typically tax- free for both term and permanent policies. Permanent life insurance also has several key tax advantag - es. In addition, the accumulated value growth is tax deferred — you would only owe tax on the growth if you surrender your policy and take out the money. You can always take the amount you paid into your policy tax-free. However, just know this will impact the policy death benefit. THE DEATH BENEFIT Long story short, permanent life insurance helps protect what is most important to you. A permanent life insurance policy can help you build a legacy. Upon your death, the death benefit will go to your beneficiary, tax-free, so you can feel a sense of financial security knowing that even after you are gone, your loved ones will be taken care of. The same goes for your real estate assets — outstanding debts may be
taken care of without becoming a burden to your next of kin. Additionally, you can limit your premiums to term life insurance because you know you have a plan that won’t expire at a future date. THE LIVING BENEFITS Accumulated value is one of the key living benefits of permanent life insurance. As you pay premi - ums over time your policy begins to accrue cash value that you can access at any time for any reason 1 . Perhaps you’d like to use your cash value to make a down payment on a new property or that vacation home you’ve been dreaming of — this is possible. You can also take out a life insur - ance loan 2 against the cash value you’ve accumulated (once it has grown to a substantial amount), tax-free. Think of your permanent life insur- ance policy as being a house with equity, and you’re borrowing against it for a line of credit. This kind of loan can serve as a backup for you — especially during down markets so you aren’t forced to sell your other assets at losses. BACK TO THE FUTURE Permanent life insurance can be a great asset as part of your over - all, long-term financial plan. It may not be the most exciting part of your plan, but it is a way to help ensure
protection for everyone and every - thing you hold dear. It’s worth taking the time now to consult the right financial advisor, one who can help you maximize your policies for the goals you want to achieve down the road. The future you will thank the cur - rent you. •
Chad Esslinger, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, RICP®, CLTC® Wealth Management Advisor At Esslinger Financial, we bring clarity to complexity to help others
achieve their full potential.
Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM) (life and disability Insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries, including Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance), Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (investment brokerage services), a registered investment adviser, broker-dealer, and member of FINRA and SIPC, and Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® (NMWMC) (investment advisory and trust services), a federal savings bank. NM and its subsidiaries are in Milwaukee, WI. Chad Ryan Esslinger uses Esslinger Financial as a marketing name for doing business as a representative of Northwestern Mutual. Esslinger Financial is not a registered investment adviser, broker-dealer, insurance agency orfederal savings bank. Chad Ryan Esslinger is an Insurance Agent of NM and NLTC. Investment brokerage services provided as a Registered Representative of NMIS. Investment advisory services provided as an Advisor of NMWMC. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
NOTES
1 Accessing your cash value will reduce your death benefit
2 Your policy’s cash value typically becomes a useful source of funds only after several years of premium payments, which allows the cash value to build up. Each method of utilizing your policy’s cash value has advantages and disadvantages and is subject to different tax consequences. Surrenders of, withdrawals from and loans against a policy will reduce the policy’s cash surrender value and death benefit and may also affect any dividends paid on the policy. Policy loans and automatic premium loans, including any accrued interest, must be repaid in cash or from policy values upon surrender, lapse or the death of the insured. Policyowners should consult with their tax advisors about the potential impact of any surrenders, withdrawals or loans. Cash value growth is not taxed if held until death. Generally, cash value from the surrender of your policy is taxed only when it exceeds premiums paid
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