Permanent life insurance protection at a fraction of whole life cost. GUL gives you a guaranteed death benefit that never expires — without the cash value you don't need.
How guaranteed universal life fits between term and whole life.
| Feature | Term Life | GUL ← You Are Here | Whole Life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Death benefit | Temporary (10–30 yrs) | ✓ Permanent (to 90–121) | ✓ Permanent (lifetime) |
| Cash value | ✗ None | Minimal | ✓ Guaranteed growth |
| Premium flexibility | Fixed | Some flexibility | ✗ Fixed |
| Cost vs. whole life | N/A (different) | 30–60% cheaper | Baseline |
| Lapses if underfunded | Term ends at expiry | No-lapse guarantee | Guaranteed in force |
| Ideal for | Income replacement | Legacy / estate planning | Cash + legacy |
GUL is purpose-built for scenarios where you need a guaranteed permanent death benefit — not cash accumulation.
Leave a guaranteed, income-tax-free inheritance to heirs. GUL is more affordable than whole life for the same death benefit amount.
Fund a buy-sell agreement with a guaranteed death benefit. The surviving business partner receives the funds to buy the deceased partner's interest at the agreed-upon price.
For estates above the federal exemption, GUL inside an ILIT can create liquidity to pay estate taxes without forcing heirs to sell assets.
A $250,000–$500,000 GUL policy ensures your estate is not liquidated to cover final expenses, estate settlement costs, or outstanding obligations.
Ensure your surviving spouse is financially secure for life — even if term coverage has expired — with a permanent death benefit that never goes away.
Convert or supplement expiring term policies with GUL to maintain permanent coverage at retirement age, when re-qualifying for new term may be difficult or costly.
We compare GUL products across top-rated carriers to find the best no-lapse guarantee for your age and coverage amount.
See guaranteed universal life rates from multiple carriers. Permanent protection, surprisingly affordable.
Guaranteed universal life (GUL) is a type of permanent life insurance with a secondary no-lapse guarantee — meaning the death benefit is contractually guaranteed to remain in force to a specific age (90, 95, 100, or 121) regardless of the cash value inside the policy. It provides permanent death benefit protection at a significantly lower cost than whole life insurance.
Whole life builds significant guaranteed cash value over time — GUL does not. GUL's premium is optimized for the death benefit guarantee rather than cash accumulation. For the same coverage amount, GUL typically costs 30–60% less than whole life. If you primarily want a permanent death benefit for legacy or estate planning — without the need for cash value — GUL is the more cost-efficient choice.
The no-lapse guarantee (also called the secondary guarantee) means the death benefit stays in force as long as you pay the required premium — even if the internal cash value goes to zero. Without this guarantee, a UL policy can lapse if market conditions or interest rates erode the cash value. GUL's guarantee removes that uncertainty entirely.
GUL is ideal for: 1) Clients who want permanent life insurance at the lowest possible premium. 2) Estate planning scenarios where the goal is a guaranteed death benefit for heirs. 3) Buy-sell agreement funding where a specific guaranteed death benefit amount is required. 4) Seniors who no longer need cash accumulation but want permanent protection. 5) Anyone who needs coverage beyond what term provides but can't afford or doesn't need whole life.
Yes — GUL is commonly used to fund cross-purchase and entity-purchase buy-sell agreements. The death benefit is guaranteed to a specific age, ensuring the surviving partner has funds to purchase the deceased partner's business interest. Because GUL is more affordable than whole life, businesses can secure the coverage they need without excessive premium burden.
GUL rates depend heavily on age and health. A healthy 50-year-old Texas male might pay $200–$350/month for $500,000 in GUL coverage guaranteed to age 121. A 60-year-old might pay $380–$580/month for the same coverage. Compare this to whole life at the same coverage, which might cost $700–$1,200/month. Get an exact quote from Tower Hill.
Tower Hill Corp · TX Agency License #2608479TX · (832) 856-1704. GUL rates and features vary by carrier. Consult a licensed agent.