Investing

Why IUL Might Be a Bad Investment: Key Risks Explained

By
Alexander Harmsen
Alexander Harmsen is the Co-founder and CEO of PortfolioPilot. With a track record of building AI-driven products that have scaled globally, he brings deep expertise in finance, technology, and strategy to create content that is both data-driven and actionable.
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Why IUL Might Be a Bad Investment: Key Risks Explained

When you’re planning for your financial future, Indexed Universal Life (IUL) insurance might pop up as an option. On the surface, it sounds pretty great, right? You get life insurance and the chance to grow your money alongside the stock market. But let’s be honest—if it sounds too good to be true, there’s probably a catch. And in the case of IULs, there are quite a few.

In this article, we’re breaking down the real risks of IULs in plain, simple language. I’ll walk you through what you need to watch out for, share some relatable examples, and help you figure out if this type of policy makes sense for you.

Key Takeaways

  • IULs combine life insurance with a savings component, but the risks and fees can outweigh the benefits for many people.
  • Your returns are capped, so you miss out on the market’s best gains.
  • High fees and confusing terms can make IULs expensive and hard to understand.
  • For most people, simpler options like IRAs or index funds might deliver better results with fewer headaches.

What Is an IUL, and Why Do People Consider It?

An Indexed Universal Life (IUL) policy is a type of permanent life insurance that also includes a savings or investment-like component. Instead of directly investing in the stock market, the cash value of the policy grows based on the performance of a market index, like the S&P 500.

Here’s a quick breakdown of how it works:

  • Premium Payments: Part of the money you pay goes to the life insurance coverage, and the rest goes into the cash value portion.
  • Cash Value Growth: This grows based on the market index, but there’s a cap on how much you can earn each year.
  • Borrowing: Over time, you can borrow against the cash value if you need extra funds.

On paper, this sounds like a win-win, but the reality can be more complicated—and costly.

Why IUL Might Be a Bad Investment

1. Capped Returns Hold You Back

One of the big selling points for IULs is that you can benefit from market growth without worrying about losses. But here’s the catch: your upside is capped.

Let’s say the S&P 500 has a phenomenal year and returns 15%. With an IUL, your growth might be capped at 6-8%, so you miss out on most of those gains.

Hypothetical Example:Imagine the S&P 500 grows 12% in a year. If your IUL caps returns at 8%, your cash value only grows by 8%. Where does the rest go? Straight to the insurance company.

Over time, those missed gains can really add up and hold back the growth of your savings compared to investing directly in low-cost index funds.

2. Fees Can Drain Your Money

IUL policies are expensive—plain and simple. Between administrative costs, premium charges, and the cost of insurance, a big portion of your money doesn’t even make it into the cash value.

Here are some common fees you might see:

  • Premium Loads: A percentage of every premium payment gets taken off the top.
  • Cost of Insurance (COI): This fee increases as you get older, eating into the cash value.
  • Administrative Fees: Ongoing charges for keeping the policy active.

Hypothetical Example: You pay $10,000 into your IUL each year. If 15% goes toward fees, only $8,500 is left to actually grow. Over time, those fees add up and take a major bite out of your returns.

3. Borrowing Comes with Strings Attached

IULs let you borrow against your cash value, which sounds flexible and useful. But borrowing can get tricky if you’re not careful:

  • You Pay Interest: Loans aren’t free—you’ll pay interest on what you borrow.
  • Risk of Lapse: If the loan balance gets too high, it could eat into your cash value and cause the policy to lapse.
  • Tax Consequences: If the policy collapses, the loan amount could be treated as taxable income.

Hypothetical Example: Let’s say you borrow $20,000 from your IUL and don’t pay it back. As interest builds up, your cash value shrinks. If the policy lapses, you lose your coverage and get hit with a tax bill for the loan amount.

4. IULs Are Complicated and Confusing

Between the caps, floors, fees, and borrowing rules, IULs can feel like a financial maze. If you don’t fully understand how the policy works, you might not realize how much you’re paying in fees or how little your cash value is growing.

For most people, simpler options like IRAs or 401(k)s are easier to manage, cheaper, and deliver more transparent results.

5. There Are Better Alternatives

If you’re looking for ways to save for the future, IULs aren’t your only option. In fact, they might not even be your best option.

What to Consider Instead:

  • 401(k) or IRA: These tax-advantaged accounts are simple, low-cost, and often come with employer matching. Tip: try a 401(k) software
  • Index Funds and ETFs: These give you direct exposure to market growth without the caps or high fees.
  • Term Life Insurance: If life insurance is what you need, term policies are much cheaper, and you can invest the savings elsewhere.

Who Might Still Consider an IUL?

To be fair, IULs aren’t all bad. They might work for:

  • People who love simplicity, need life insurance, and also want some cash value growth.
  • Extremely risk-averse investors who want market exposure without losses.
  • High-income earners who have maxed out their retirement accounts and need another tax-advantaged option.

Indexed Universal Life (IUL) Policies — FAQs

How do returns on an IUL compare to direct S&P 500 performance in strong years?
If the S&P 500 gains 15%, an IUL capped at 6–8% credits only that portion, with the difference retained by the insurer. Over time, missed gains can materially reduce long-term growth versus direct index investing.
What fees typically reduce the cash value growth in IULs?
Common fees include premium loads, administrative charges, and a cost of insurance that rises with age. For example, if 15% of a $10,000 annual premium goes to fees, only $8,500 is invested toward cash value growth.
How do IUL borrowing features create financial risk?
Borrowed funds accrue interest. If unpaid, loans reduce cash value and may trigger a policy lapse. When this occurs, the outstanding balance is often treated as taxable income, creating both coverage loss and unexpected tax liability.
Why might IUL policies be considered expensive compared to other options?
High fees and capped growth often mean less net return for policyholders. In contrast, tax-advantaged retirement accounts or low-cost index funds typically avoid such layered costs, making IULs relatively more expensive long-term.
What happens if an IUL policy lapses with an unpaid loan?
If cash value cannot sustain insurance costs, the policy can lapse. At that point, any outstanding loan balance may be reclassified as taxable income, adding both financial and tax consequences to the loss of insurance coverage.
How do caps and floors interact in IUL contracts?
IULs set a cap on maximum credited returns, often 6–8%, while also including a floor that prevents negative credited returns. The structure limits both downside and upside, leaving long-term growth below full market exposure.
How can administrative charges affect IUL performance over decades?
Regular policy fees reduce the amount of premium contributing to cash value. Over decades, these compounding deductions may leave account growth trailing other long-term investment vehicles that operate with lower cost structures.
What tax treatment applies to SERP payouts versus IUL loans?
Unlike SERPs, where benefits are deferred and taxed when received, IUL loans are not taxable unless the policy lapses. In that event, outstanding debt is reclassified as taxable income, creating an unexpected tax burden.
Who might still consider IULs despite the risks?
Some extremely risk-averse individuals, high earners who have maxed out traditional retirement accounts, or those seeking combined insurance and savings in one product may still find IULs appealing despite their structural drawbacks.
How does cost of insurance (COI) evolve as policyholders age?
COI charges increase with age, reducing the efficiency of cash value growth over time. This gradual rise can erode returns and increase the likelihood of policy lapse if cash value does not keep pace.

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1: As of February 20, 2025