This type of permanent life insurance policy blends the flexible premiums of universal life insurance with a target premium structure. Policyholders typically pay a specified premium amount, the “target,” designed to maintain coverage over the life of the policy. However, flexibility is retained as premiums can be adjusted within certain limits, offering control over cash value accumulation and death benefit. For instance, a policyholder could choose to pay a premium higher than the target to accelerate cash value growth or, conversely, a lower premium (within allowable limits) if facing financial constraints, understanding this might impact the death benefit. This type of policy stands in contrast to fixed premium policies where the premium amount remains constant.
The key advantage of this approach lies in balancing cost control with coverage adaptability. The target premium provides a benchmark for financial planning, giving policyholders a clear picture of anticipated outlay. The inherent flexibility allows them to adapt to changing financial circumstances, providing a valuable safety net. This contrasts with traditional whole life insurance, which offers less premium flexibility, and term life insurance, which lacks the cash value component. The development of this insurance product reflects a growing demand for financial products that offer both security and adaptability.