Indexed Universal Life (IUL): less blue sky projections

Indexed Universal Life (IUL) illustrations commonly show 7% to 8+% returns based on historical averages over the last 20 to 30 years. Whether or not an Indexed UL can capture that kind of performance over the coming decades is debatable. 2008 bore an unsettling resemblance to 1929, except officials were able to spread foam on the runway.  The Euro’s instability lead to an additional dose of foam for European banks late last year.  All this uncertainty can make Indexed ULs more attractive because guarantees eliminate downside market risk while providing a life insurance benefit.  But what about the upside Certainly 2011’s index results surveyed were below average.  Tops was the Dow Jones Industrial Average at 5.53%.  The S & P 500, the most widely used index, came in at 0%, which is the floor for an Indexed UL regardless.  But then again, seeing blue sky, 2012 is off to a good start, and historically that’s a very good sign.

When reviewing an Indexed UL, it’s prudent to scenario the possibility of lower returns.  I ran a series of comparisons last fall on overfunding an Indexed UL to build cash value for retirement income.  Lincoln performed very well compared to the competition.   I used the S & P 500 Index, annual point-to-point, and Lincoln assumed on the illustration an 8.45% average return.

Over 8%?  How about 5%?
What would returns look like projecting at a more pedestrian 5%?   Assume a male, age 44, excellent health, putting in $25,000 a year in premiums for 20 years with the goal tax-free distributions for retirement income at age 65. Initial death benefit $520,000.

Carrier S&P 500
Index
Return
Cash Value
Year 20,
Age 64
Death
Benefit
Year 20,
Age 64
Retirement Income
Yrs. 21-40
Ages 65-84
Cash Value
Year 41,
Age 85
Death Benefit
year 41,
Age 85
 ‘
Lincoln 8.45%  $1,077,926  $1,597,926  $146,326  $830,516  $1,120,514
5.00%     $727,834  $1,247,834    $51,396 $219,059     $317,285

Take a different example with less premium.  $10,000 premium a year for 20 years: male, age 47, excellent health. Initial death benefit $185,000.

Carrier S&P 500
Index
Return
Cash Value
Year 20,
Age 67
Death
Benefit
Year 20,
Age 67
Retirement Income
Yrs. 21-40,
Ages 68-87
Cash Value
Year 41
Age 88
Death Benefit
year 41,
Age 88
.
Lincoln 8.45% $424,913 $609,913 $46,590 $186,833 $252,943
.
5.00% $287,005 $472,005 $19,732 $62,067 $77,698

When shopping for an Indexed Universal Life
All Indexed UL proposals come with full illustrations.  They’re required.  Brochures are okay as a start, but zero in on the illustration’s chart.  An agent can easily generate and email them on .pdf format.   Illustrations are based on current assumptions, for example 8.45% for Lincoln, but can be run with interest rate assumptions anywhere from 0% up to current.  Make sure to request and review lower interest rate assumptions as a counterpoint.

Carrier: Lincoln National Life Insurance Company; Product: ” Lincoln LifeReserve Indexed UL  (2011)”
Quotes run 1/11/2012 and are subject to change.

For your own personalized free quote please contact me.

Sean Drummey
Phone: (910) 328-04447
email: spdrummey@gmail.com

Nationwide’s new Indexed Universal Life (IUL) compared to top Lincoln and Penn Mutual

Nationwide has a new IUL product called “Yourlife Indexed UL”.   I’ve posted a series of comparisons analyzing the top performers for tax deferred cash accumulation and tax-free retirement distributions, so I plugged in those assumptions to see how Nationwide compared.  Granted, it’s not a true apples-for-apples comparison.  The index selection for Lincoln and Penn Mutual is the S & P 500, 1 year point-to-point. Lincoln assumes a 8.45% hypothetical return and Penn Mutual a 8.41%.    Nationwide uses a weighted average multi-index  blended strategy, 1 year monthly average, assuming a 7.6% index crediting.

Only time will tell on upside assumptions.  While pondering the unknowns of the future, it’s good to remember the strength of indexed universal life is knowing there is a floor to stand upon.

Below are figures to the same benchmark structure: male, age 44, great health puts in $25,000 a year for 20 years, and at age 65 the takes out tax-free retirement income for the next 20 years in the form of policy loans, with enough left over for a death benefit.   $25,000 a year might be above what you’re considering, but showing high premium is like a drag race to see how fast the car will go, fast as in building cash value, and then popping the chute, projecting how the retirement distribution performance.

Carrier Cash Value
Year 20
Death Benefit
Year 20
Loan amount
Yrs  21 -40
Cash Value
Year 41
Death Benefit
Year  41
Lincoln  1,072,791  1,611,714  146,428  831,161  1,121,364
Penn Mutual  1,148,802  1,738,802  145,609  522,606     841,829
Nationwide     933,926  1,503,928  119,820   89,900     302,664

With the goal being maximum retirement income, knowing the carrier’s options and rules on policy loans is vitally important.   Nationwide has a fix loan option “declared rate loan”  that showed a $88,236 income distribution on the policy illustration.  For potentially better performance, like many other carriers Nationwide has a variable loan option “alternative loans” based on Moody’s Corporate Bond Yield Average, currently Nationwide illustrates at 4.79%, which gave a better $119,820 income distribution figure.  But what will that figure be in the future?  They have a guaranteed minimum of 3.00% and a guaranteed maximum rate of 8%.

Both Lincoln and Penn Mutual have fixed rate loan options that project better than the variables loan rates of the competition, including Nationwide.

Lincoln National Life Insurance Company:     “Lincoln LifeReserve Indexed UL  (2011)”
The Penn Insurance and Annuity Company:    “Accumulation Builder II IUL”
Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company:  “Yourlife Indexed UL”.

Image Source: Wikemedia Commons

Disclaimer: Information and quotes are current and accurate to the best of my knowledge on December 4, 2011.  Product features and rates are subject to change.  Quotes are non-guaranteed projections based on current interest rates and cost of insurance. Tax information is general information only. Please seek professional tax advice for personal income tax questions and assistance.