Is cashing out a universal life insurance policy taxable?
Asked by: Dr. Gisselle Macejkovic | Last update: November 18, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (5 votes)
How are withdrawals from a universal life policy taxed?
If you withdraw up to the amount of the total premiums paid into the policy, the transaction is not taxable as it is considered a return of premiums. If, however, you then withdraw any gains on the policy (like dividends), then these amounts could be taxed as ordinary income.
Can I cash out my universal life insurance policy?
As long as you have a permanent life insurance policy, you may be able to tap into its cash value account. Whole, universal, and variable universal life insurance are all examples of permanent life insurance policies that will cover you for life and allow you to maintain cash value as well as a death benefit.
Do I have to pay taxes on my surrendered life insurance policy?
The total of premiums you have paid into the policy is known as the cash basis. When you surrender the policy, the amount of the cash basis is considered a tax-free return of principal. Only the amount you receive over the cash basis will be taxed as regular income, at your top tax rate.
Are universal life insurance proceeds taxable?
Generally, life insurance proceeds you receive as a beneficiary due to the death of the insured person, aren't includable in gross income and you don't have to report them. However, any interest you receive is taxable and you should report it as interest received.
Is Cash Value in a policy taxed?
How much tax will I pay if I cash out my life insurance?
Is life insurance cash value taxable? Fortunately, the cash value of life insurance grows tax-free. This means that, in many cases, you won't have to worry about paying taxes on it.
What happens when a life insurance policy is surrendered for its cash value?
In most cases, your policy's cash surrender value will be paid in a lump sum. Depending on your policy, however, you may receive periodic payments over time.
How do I avoid tax on life insurance cash value?
Cash Value Tax Benefits
You don't owe income tax as long as the money stays in your policy. You can withdraw up to your premium payments tax-free. If you withdraw more than that, you do owe income tax on your gains above what you paid. However, you can also access your cash value through a loan.
How much of a surrendered annuity is taxable?
Payouts: You will pay normal income taxes on the entire distribution amount. Annuities purchased with a Roth IRA or Roth 401(k), however, may be tax free if specific requirements are met.
Do you have to pay taxes on money received as a beneficiary?
If you received a gift or inheritance, do not include it in your income. However, if the gift or inheritance later produces income, you will need to pay tax on that income.
How are IUL withdrawals taxed?
Policyholders can access the cash value of their IUL through withdrawals or loans. Withdrawals from the policy's cash value are tax-free up to the amount of premiums paid into the policy. This is because these withdrawals are considered a return of the policyholder's basis.
Do I get money back if I cancel my universal life insurance?
If you have a whole life or universal life insurance policy, you can also cancel the policy at any time. You won't get back any premiums you paid for the policy, but you may receive a payout from the cash value, if one has accrued.
Can you write off universal life insurance?
Life insurance premiums, whether term or whole life, are generally not tax deductible. However, there are some limited exceptions. You can claim life insurance premiums on your taxes if: The life insurance was court-ordered before 2019 to safeguard alimony or child support.
Are loans taken from a universal life's cash value taxable?
You can take out a loan on a permanent insurance policy, like a whole or universal policy, that has a cash value. The money you borrow isn't taxable, as long as it's equal to or less than the sum of the insurance premiums you have paid.
What is the penalty for withdrawing from variable universal life insurance?
If you are under age 59½ when you make the withdrawal, you may be subject to surrender charges and assessed a 10% federal income tax penalty. Also, withdrawals will reduce the benefits and value of the contract.
Are surrender charges tax deductible?
No, surrender charges are not tax deductible.
Is money from a surrendered life insurance policy taxable?
A life insurance policy's cash surrender value can be taxable. Any amount you receive over the policy's basis, or the amount you paid in premiums, can be taxed as income.
Is cashing out an annuity considered income?
While the money in an annuity will grow tax-deferred, once you start withdrawing your money, all or a portion of that withdrawal will become taxed as ordinary income. When it comes to taxes on the money you paid into your annuity, the taxation depends on how you funded the annuity.
How can I withdraw from my annuity without paying taxes?
To avoid paying taxes on your annuity, you may want to consider a Roth 401(k) or a Roth IRA as a funding source. Then, you do not pay taxes upon withdrawal since Roth accounts are funded with after-tax dollars.
How to avoid capital gains tax on life insurance payout?
WITHDRAW OR BORROW
The amount of premiums you have paid into your policy generally represent what is called your basis in your policy. If you wish to take this money out, you can withdraw it tax free, meaning you pay no income or capital gains taxes.
When should you cash out a whole life insurance policy?
Many advisors generally recommend waiting at least 10 to 15 years to cash out your whole life insurance policy.
Do you get a 1099 for life insurance proceeds?
In most cases, your cost (or investment in the contract) is the total of premiums that you paid for the life insurance policy, less any refunded premiums, rebates, dividends, or unrepaid loans that weren't included in your income. You should receive a Form 1099-R showing the total proceeds and the taxable part.
How to surrender a universal life insurance policy?
You can initiate the surrender process over the phone. The insurance agent will walk you through the steps and documentation required to collect any cash surrender value you may have. They can also inform you about any fees you'll be charged.
Do beneficiaries pay taxes on life insurance?
Answer: Generally, life insurance proceeds you receive as a beneficiary due to the death of the insured person, aren't includable in gross income and you don't have to report them. However, any interest you receive is taxable and you should report it as interest received.
Is it better to surrender or sell a life insurance policy?
Selling a whole life insurance policy in a life settlement is a strategy to get far greater returns than a surrender. On average,every $100,000 in life insurance policy value will only gain back $460 in surrender value. This means even a $1 million whole life policy will be surrendered for around $4,600 in cash.