Borrowing Against Your Life Insurance Policy: Understanding the Pros, Cons, and Tax Implications

Life insurance is often considered a key component of a sound financial plan. Not only does it provide a death benefit to your loved ones in the event of your passing, but it can also serve as a valuable tool for borrowing funds in times of need. In this blog post, we will explore the pros and cons of borrowing against your life insurance policy, as well as the tax implications you should be aware of. We will also provide some scenarios to help you better understand how this strategy can be used effectively.

Not all life insurance policies are eligible for borrowing. Generally, only permanent life insurance policies, such as whole life insurance or universal life insurance, have a cash value component that can be borrowed. Term life insurance policies, which only provide coverage for a specific period of time, typically do not accumulate cash value.

The amount of cash value available to borrow against varies based on the policy and the amount of time it has been in force. Over time, the cash value of a permanent life insurance policy can grow tax-deferred, allowing you to potentially accumulate significant value that can be accessed through a policy loan.

Tax Implications of Borrowing Against Your Life Insurance Policy

While borrowing against your life insurance policy can provide you with tax-free access to cash, there are some important tax implications to consider. In general, the amount of the policy loan that exceeds the cash value of the policy is considered taxable income. Additionally, any interest you pay on the loan is not tax-deductible.

Example of Borrowing Against Your Life Insurance Policy

Let’s say you have a whole life insurance policy with a cash value of $50,000. You need to access $20,000 to pay for unexpected medical expenses. Instead of withdrawing the funds and paying taxes on the gain, you decide to borrow against the policy.

Your insurance company may offer you a policy loan with a fixed interest rate of 5%. You can borrow up to the full amount of the cash value, in this case, $50,000, but you only need $20,000. You agree to the loan terms and receive the $20,000 in cash.

Over the next several years, you repay the loan with interest. The interest rate may be lower than what you would have paid for a traditional loan, and you have the flexibility to repay the loan on your own schedule. Once the loan is fully repaid, the full cash value of the policy is restored.

Pros of Borrowing Against Your Life Insurance Policy

There are several advantages to borrowing against your life insurance policy:

1. Accessibility: Unlike other types of loans, such as personal loans or lines of credit, borrowing against your life insurance policy is relatively easy and straightforward. As long as you have enough cash value in your policy, you can borrow against it without undergoing a credit check or providing collateral.
2. Low-Interest Rates: Interest rates for policy loans are often lower than other types of loans. This is because the insurance company is using your cash value as collateral and therefore assumes less risk.
3. No Restrictions: There are no restrictions on how you can use the funds you borrow. Whether you need to cover unexpected expenses, pay for a child’s education, or invest in a business, the money is yours to use as you see fit.

Cons of Borrowing Against Your Life Insurance Policy

While there are certainly benefits to borrowing against your life insurance policy, there are also some downsides to consider:

1. Reduced Death Benefit: When you borrow against your policy, the death benefit is reduced by the amount of the loan. This means that if you were to pass away before paying back the loan, your beneficiaries would receive a smaller payout.
2. Impact on Cash Value: When you take out a loan against your policy, the cash value is reduced by the amount of the loan. This can impact the growth potential of your policy and the amount of money you can borrow in the future.
3. Repayment Requirements: Most insurance companies require you to repay the loan with interest. Failure to do so can result in the policy lapsing, which means you could lose your coverage and any cash value in the policy.

Tax Implications of Borrowing Against Your Life Insurance Policy

There are also some tax implications to be aware of when borrowing against your life insurance policy:

1. Non-Taxable: Loans taken against your life insurance policy are generally not taxable as income, as long as they are within the policy’s limits.
2. Basis: When you borrow against your policy, the loan amount is subtracted from the policy’s basis (the amount of premiums you have paid into the policy). This can impact the tax treatment of any future withdrawals or loans.
3. Surrender Charges: If you surrender your policy or it lapses with an outstanding loan balance, you may owe taxes on any gains in the policy. This is because the loan will be treated as a withdrawal, and taxes will be due on any gains above the policy’s basis.

Scenarios for Borrowing Against Your Life Insurance Policy

Here are a few scenarios that illustrate how borrowing against your life insurance policy can be used effectively:

Scenario 1: Emergency Expenses

You unexpectedly require money to cover medical bills or home repairs, and you don’t have enough cash on hand. You can borrow against your life insurance policy to cover these expenses without having to dip into your savings or take on high-interest debt.

Scenario 2: Starting a Business

You have a great idea for a new business, but you don’t have enough capital to get it off the ground. Rather than taking on investors or going into debt, you can borrow against your life insurance policy to

finance your business. This can provide you with the capital you need to get started, without having to sacrifice any ownership or control of your company.

Scenario 3: Paying for College

You want to help your child pay for college, but you don’t have enough money saved up in an RESP plan or other education savings account. By borrowing against your life insurance policy, you can help cover tuition and other expenses without having to take out high-interest student loans.

External Resources for Borrowing Against Your Life Insurance Policy

If you are considering borrowing against your life insurance policy, there are several resources you can turn to for more information:

1. Your Insurance Company: Your insurance company can provide you with information about your policy’s cash value, loan options, and repayment terms.
2. Your Financial Planner: Your financial planner can help you evaluate whether borrowing against your policy is the right choice for your specific financial situation.
3. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA): The CRA provides guidance on the tax implications of borrowing against your life insurance policy, including how to calculate the taxable portion of withdrawals and loans.

Conclusion

Borrowing against your life insurance policy can be a useful tool for accessing cash when you need it most. However, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons carefully before deciding whether to take out a policy loan. By understanding the tax implications and repayment requirements, and working with a financial planner to evaluate your options, you can make an informed decision about whether this strategy is right for you.