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Variable Universal Life FAQs

Variable Life Insurance can be an important part of your insurance needs. It can also help you with tax planning and investment goals. We’ve provided an overview of the essential details below.
Couple discussing their life insurance.
  • Variable universal life insurance is designed to provide flexibility and choice.  It could grant you both insurance coverage and investment opportunities. With VUL, like universal life insurance, you can choose the amount and timing of your premiums (subject to company minimums and IRS maximums). You may also increase or decrease the death benefit, depending on policy minimums and any underwriting requirements.
  • To determine a policy's value: 

    • Log in at the top of our website. 
    • Next log in to your personal account.
    • Select 'Manage my account’ and view the Policy Overview section for details. 

    Please refer to your contract for additional features and benefits.

  • Partial withdrawals cannot be made online at this time. Please call our Customer Care Contact Center for help with your policy.
  • You may be eligible to reinstate your policy by paying past premiums and providing proof of insurability. Please call our Customer Care Contact Center for assistance with your policy.
  • partial withdrawal reduces the cash value of your contract and cannot be repaid.

    • If your policy has a Death Benefit Option 1 – Level, the specified face amount of your contract will be reduced by the amount of the partial withdrawal
    • If your policy has a Death Benefit Option 2 – Changing, the death benefit (specified face amount plus accumulated cash value) is reduced by the cash value withdrawn

    If you take a loan, unpaid loan balances will be deducted from the death benefit payable on your contract.

  • Requests received before 3:00 p.m. CT are processed at market close that day (on a business day), while requests received after 3:00 p.m. are processed at market close of the next business day.

    Delivery methods include: 

    Method Time Charges
    Check sent via U.S. Postal Service Sent the day after the request is processed. Receipt depends on U.S. Postal Service. None
    Check sent via Overnight Delivery Service Sent the day after request is processed. For most areas, you will receive the check the next business day. Some remote areas take 2 business days. $25.00
    Wire to your account Funds will be credited to your account the day after we process your request. We need the name of your financial institution, routing and account numbers, type of account (savings, checking or share draft) and names on the account. $25.00
    Electronic Funds Transfer Funds will be credited to your account within 48 hours (business days) after your request is processed. We need the name of your financial institution, routing and account numbers, type of account (savings, checking or share draft) and names on the account. None


  • We currently do not provide e-delivery of statements or other documents. Please call us for assistance at 1-800-798-5500.

    For assistance by TTY: dial 711 and ask to be connected to 1-800-798-5500. Dialing 711 connects you to Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS). TRS permits persons with a hearing or speech disability to use the telephone system via a text telephone (TTY) or other devices to call persons with or without such disabilities. TRS calls have no time limits and are confidential.

  • It’s when you exchange one type of insurance contract for another similar type, without any tax penalties. The ‘1035’ comes from Section 1035 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), which outlines this requirement. When a contract is exchanged under IRC §1035, the gain or loss of the exchanged contract is transferred to the new contract. 

    The following exchange types qualify as tax-free:

     
    FROM: TO:
    Life insurance policy Life insurance policy; nonqualified annuity contract
    Endowment contract Nonqualified annuity contract
    Nonqualified annuity contract Nonqualified annuity contract

     

    The other requirements for non-taxable treatment include:

    • The owner and insured/annuitant on both contracts must be identical
    • The contract being exchanged must be in force. If the contract is maturing, the 1035 exchange request must be signed before the maturity date
    • The existing contract’s value must be exchanged. If cash is received, that remains taxable
  • Forms 1099-INT and 1099-R will be mailed by January 31 for qualifying policies and contracts.