Term Life

Term Life policies are the least expensive because it’s simply an exchange of money for risk for a set time period. Term offers death benefits only, so if you die, you win (so to speak). If you live past the length of the policy, you (or, more specifically, your family members) get no money back.

Return of Premium Life

Similar to Term Life, Return of Premium Life policies have an added benefit. If you outlive the policy term, you get all your money back that you paid in over the years. Some think of this policy as a "savings account" with a death benefit.

Permanent Life

Permanent Life policies are worth the most because they have the potential to guarantee a death benefit is paid no matter how long you live. They offer a death benefit and an investment component (also called “cash value”) so that if you live, you can get back at least some of, and often much more than, the amount you spent on your premium. You can receive this money back either by cashing in the policy or by borrowing against it.