Death benefit
A lump sum paid to the people you name, generally income-tax-free. It can replace your income, pay off the house, fund college, or leave a legacy that outlives you.
Coverage for your family. Growth with a floor.
Indexed Universal Life pays your family a death benefit that's generally income-tax-free, gives you access to money while you're living, and builds cash value linked to a market index. When the market has a bad year, your interest credit doesn't go below the floor.
Free 20-minute call with a licensed agent. We shop multiple carriers.
One policy. Three jobs.
An IUL is permanent life insurance. It's built to last your whole life when it's funded properly, and it works for you long before it ever pays out.
Living benefits
Many policies let you access part of the death benefit early if you're diagnosed with a qualifying chronic, critical, or terminal illness, so a health crisis doesn't drain your savings.
Cash value
Part of every premium builds cash value that grows tax-deferred, linked to a market index. Borrow against it later for retirement income, a business, or whatever comes next.
How the cash value grows
Your money isn't invested in the stock market. The insurance company credits interest based on how an index performs. When the index rises, you grow with it. When it falls, the floor holds.
Year1
The index gained 9%.
You were credited 9%.
Putting in $500 a month, your account value
$6,540
You've put in $6,000. Interest credited: $540.
Keep scrolling to move through the years.
12 hypothetical years
Hypothetical example with $500 monthly deposits, showing credited interest before policy charges (cost of insurance and fees reduce actual cash value; see real numbers below for values from an actual illustration). Uncapped strategy with a 0% floor and 100% participation. Not actual index or policy performance. Uncapped strategies are typically linked to volatility-controlled indices and may include a spread or strategy fee. Crediting terms vary by carrier and can change. Policy charges reduce cash value.
0%
The floor
If the index drops, your credited interest for that period is the floor, usually 0%. A down market doesn't take back gains you've already been credited.
No cap
Uncapped growth
Many of the strategies we use have no cap. In a strong year you keep growing with the index instead of hitting a ceiling, subject to the strategy's participation rate and any spread.
100%
Participation rate
The share of the index gain credited to your account. At 100% participation, your credit tracks the index gain for that period.
See what a real policy looks like
Pick what matters most, your age, and a monthly amount. These numbers come from an actual carrier illustration, not a formula, so you can see how a real policy is built to grow.
Projected cash value at 65$0
Death benefit from day one$0
Total you'd put in$0
Potential yearly income from 65 to 85$0
Values shown for a man in standard health. Women often see higher values for the same amount.
Projected cash value
Who an IUL is built for
An IUL is one of the most flexible financial tools available. If any of these sound like you, it's worth a conversation.
You want coverage for life
Protection that doesn't expire after 20 or 30 years, so your family is covered whenever they need it.
You want growth without market losses
Your cash value grows when the index goes up, and the floor protects it from crediting a loss when the index goes down.
You want tax-advantaged money you can use
Access cash value through policy loans for retirement income, a home, a business, or college, generally without income tax under current law.
You've outgrown your 401(k) or IRA
IULs don't have the IRS contribution limits retirement accounts do, so high earners can put more to work.
You own a business or are self-employed
Flexible premiums, protection for your family and business, and a source of capital you control.
You want to build a legacy
Leave your family a death benefit that's generally income-tax-free, while building wealth you can use while you're living.
Your climb, step by step
Ascend Assurance is an independent agency. We don't work for one insurance company. We compare carriers to find the one that fits you.
- 1
Intro call
20 minutes. We learn what you want to protect and what you want your money to do.
- 2
Policy design
We run illustrations across carriers and design the policy around your budget and goals.
- 3
Review together
We walk you through exactly how your policy works and how it grows before you decide anything.
- 4
Apply and review yearly
We handle the application and underwriting, then check in every year to keep the policy on track.
1
Intro call
20 minutes. We learn what you want to protect and what you want your money to do.
More ways we protect families
Because we're independent, we can build the right mix of coverage for every stage of life.
Term life
The most coverage for the lowest price, for a set number of years.
Whole life
Permanent coverage with a guaranteed premium and guaranteed cash value growth.
Final expense
Smaller policies that cover funeral costs and final bills, often with simplified approval.
Annuities
Turn savings into guaranteed income you can't outlive.
Common questions
Don't see yours? Ask us on the call.
Is an IUL an investment?
No. It's life insurance. Your cash value isn't invested in the stock market. The insurer credits interest based on the performance of an index, subject to the floor and the strategy's crediting terms.
Can I lose money in an IUL?
The floor keeps a down market from crediting a loss. But policy charges are taken out every month, so cash value can still go down, especially in early years or in years when the credit is 0%. That's why funding the policy properly matters.
How do I get money out of it?
Through withdrawals or policy loans. Under current tax law, loans are generally not taxed as income as long as the policy stays in force and isn't classified as a modified endowment contract (MEC). Outstanding loans reduce the death benefit. Talk to a tax professional about your situation.
How much does it cost?
It depends on your age, health, how much coverage you want, and how much you plan to put into cash value. We design the policy around a budget you're comfortable keeping up long term.
What if I need to pay less one month?
IUL premiums are flexible, so you can adjust within limits. Consistently paying less than the policy was designed for can cause it to lapse, so we'll show you what that looks like before you decide.
Do I need a medical exam?
Not always. Several carriers approve qualifying applicants without an exam up to certain coverage amounts. We'll tell you which ones fit you.
Why use an independent agency?
A captive agent can only sell one company's products. We can compare several carriers' crediting strategies, costs, and underwriting to find the best fit for you.
You made it to the top
Your ascent starts with one call
Answer a few quick questions and a licensed agent will reach out. There's no cost and no pressure to buy.
On the call we'll cover what you're trying to protect, how an IUL can work for you, and what it would cost.