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WHOLE LIFE INSURANCE Permanent protection that helps build wealth

If you’re looking for lifelong coverage, whole life insurance is a versatile option. It grows with you, building cash value that you can use to help fund the big things in life, as your protection needs change. It also takes care of your loved ones, guaranteeing a payment to them after you pass away.

What a whole life insurance policy offers

If you need life insurance and you’re planning for a down payment on a home, college tuition, or additional retirement income, we’ll help you find the right balance of financial protection and accumulation for you.

Guarantees for your family

Your premiums (which are generally lower the earlier you start) will never increase and your loved ones can rely on a death benefit in the future

Accumulation benefit

The cash value of your policy accumulates over time, providing more funds that you can withdraw or borrow (like a loan)1

Tax advantages & dividends

The cash value in your policy is guaranteed to grow over time, tax-deferred, and is eligible for dividends every year2,3

Financial reliability

We’ve been paying benefits consistently for 175+ years and, as a mutual insurer, we always put policy owners financial needs first

We offer several types of permanent life insurance

  • Whole Life Insurance

    Balances guaranteed life insurance coverage with accumulation of cash value, which can be a convenient way to supplement retirement income

  • Custom Whole Life Insurance

    Gives you choices to limit your premium-paying period to a certain number of years, while maximizing the cash value of your policy

  • Secure Wealth Plus

    Valuable life insurance protection, an expedited underwriting process9 and guaranteed accumulation of cash value, which is increased during early years of coverage

     

    See Secure Wealth Plus

Riders (add-ons) to customize your whole life policy⁴

Disability Waiver of Premium

If you’re ever disabled and can’t make your regular payments, this rider is designed to pay premiums during a disability. Available for an additional cost5

Chronic Care

If you’re chronically ill, you can access a portion of the death benefit to help you cover the cost of long-term care. This rider is available for an additional cost, and it must be elected when the policy is issued6

Living Benefit

If you’re terminally ill, you can use a portion of the death benefit to pay for treatment or other care that you might need. This rider involves a charge if the rider is exercised7

Option to Purchase Paid-Up Additions

You can make additional premium payments to build more cash value now and increase the death benefit. Premiums are subject to an expense charge at the time of payment

Accidental Death Benefit

You can add an additional death benefit for your loved ones in the event that you die as a result of an accident. The rider terminates automatically at age 70 and involves a monthly charge until it expires8

Common questions about permanent life insurance

There’s more than one way to protect the ones you love

COMPARE YOUR LIFE INSURANCE OPTIONS

Your payments  (premiums)

Payout for loved ones (death benefit)

Builds cash value

Guaranteed cash value growth

Potential earnings (dividends2)

Market growth potential

May go from temporary to permanent

Whole life

Always the same amount

Remains level for a period of time you select, then increases over time

Can be adjusted

In some cases

Guaranteed minimum interest credited

Can be adjusted

Cash value growth subject to market risk

Learn more about insurance

Wondering if whole life insurance is right for you?

Talk to an agent about how financial protection and growth can work together.

This helps us understand your immediate needs.

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Whole life is issued by New York Life Insurance Company (NY,NY). In most jurisdictions, the policy form number for the New York Life Whole Life series of products is ICC18217-50P (4/18), Accidental Death Benefit: ICC17217-200R; Disability Waiver of Premium: ICC17217-225R; Living Benefits: ICC17217-495R; Chronic Care Rider: ICC17217-485R; Option to Purchase Paid-Up Additions: ICC17217-330R. State variations may apply.

1You can access cash value via loans or withdrawals through surrenders. When accessing cash value via loans, the total outstanding loan balance (which includes accrued loan interest) reduces your policy’s available cash surrender value and life insurance benefit. The amount you borrow will accrue interest daily. When taking a withdrawal through surrenders, you are surrendering any available Paid-Up Additional Insurance for its Cash Surrender Value. This means that your Policy’s Cash Value, available Cash Surrender Value and Death Benefit will be reduced by the amount of the withdrawal.

2Dividends are not guaranteed. Not all participating policy owners are eligible for dividends.

3Guarantees are based on the claims paying ability of the issuer.

4Most riders are available at an additional cost. Premiums and available benefits vary based on coverage levels and riders selected. Option to Purchase Paid-Up Additions involves an up-front expense charge.

5Available to insureds ages 0 through 59. In Maryland and Montana, this rider is not available until the insured has reached his or her fifth birthday. The benefits of this rider depend in part on when disability occurs in relation to age 60.

6The Chronic Care Rider is not available in California. Receipt of accelerated death benefits may affect eligibility for public assistance programs and may have income tax consequences. You should consult your tax advisor regarding your circumstances. This is a life insurance rider providing for an accelerated payment of the base policy face amount in the event that you are certified chronically ill as described in the policy.

7Various states have established different life expectancy periods once a terminal illness is diagnosed. There are maximum benefit levels set for this rider. A charge is applied when the rider is exercised. Your agent can provide more specific information. Receipt of accelerated death benefits may affect eligibility for public assistance programs and may be taxable. You should consult your tax advisor regarding your circumstances.

8Rider features may differ based on the insurance product that they are purchased with. Not all riders are available in every state, and some states vary the terms of certain riders. Additional limitations and conditions may apply. Please speak to your New York Life agent for complete information.

9Policies with total annual premiums exceeding  $150,000 for adults or $100,000 for issue ages 0-17, require traditional underwriting, 
which may include medical and lab tests.