Tools

See what compound interest can do — both ways.

Whole life cash value grows slowly at first, because early premiums fund insurance charges, then compounds steadily and tax-deferred. Investment accounts start compounding immediately but ride the market. Run your own numbers below.

Compound Growth Comparison

Adjust your numbers to see how the same dollars could accumulate inside a whole life policy's cash value versus an investment account.

Starting amount

Monthly contribution

Years

yrs

Investment return

Policy crediting rate

Investment Account

$664,808

7% assumed annual return, taxable growth

You put in: $235,000
Growth earned: $429,808

Whole Life Cash Value

$390,941

5% crediting rate, net of insurance charges

You put in: $235,000
Growth earned: $155,941

Reading the numbers

Investment accounts usually show higher raw growth, while whole life builds cash value that also carries a death benefit, grows tax-deferred, and can be accessed through policy loans. Most of our clients use both, in proportions that fit their timeline.

Illustration only. Not a quote, contract, or guarantee. Actual whole life cash value depends on the carrier, policy design, insurance charges, and non-guaranteed dividends; investment results vary with markets and fees.