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TERM LIFE INSURANCE Protection when you need it most with term life insurance

We can’t predict when the unexpected might happen, but you can protect your family financially. Term life insurance covers you for a set period of time (usually 10, 15, or 20 years), at a cost that might be lower than long-term protection (which offers additional features).1 You can also extend your coverage by changing to a permanent policy.2

What a term life insurance policy offers

Whether you’re just starting out on your own or thinking about protecting your family, we’ll help you find a balance between financial protection and financial growth.

Guaranteed death benefit

If you die unexpectedly while your term policy is active, your loved ones will receive a payout to help cover funeral costs and everyday expenses

Multiple lock-in periods

The earlier you start, the lower premiums will be; you can keep them level for 10, 15, or 20 years or go year-to-year with increasing premiums

Convertible, portable coverage

If your needs change, you can convert some policies to long term protection2, and you keep your coverage if you change jobs (unlike plans offered by employers)

Tax advantages

In most cases, your loved ones (beneficiaries) will not pay income taxes on the life insurance benefits they eventually receive

Two main types of term life insurance for your short-term needs


Yearly renewable term

Temporary coverage with payments (premiums) that start low and then gradually increase, plus the option to convert to permanent coverage.


Level term

Locks in consistent, predictable premiums for 10, 15 or 20 years, after which your payments will increase each year


Riders (add-ons) to customize your term life policy

Spouse Paid-Up Purchase Option

If you die, your spouse can use the payout from your policy to purchase their own paid-up life insurance without a medical exam (a unique option from New York Life)3

Disability Waiver of Premium

If you become disabled and can’t make your regular payments, we’ll cover them for you until you’re recovered 

Living Benefit

If you’re terminally ill, you can take out a portion of the death benefit early to help pay for treatment or other care you might need4

Common questions about temporary life insurance

Term life insurance is sometimes referred to as temporary life insurance and it can be helpful with short-term needs for financial protection. You can purchase term life insurance with a level premium period (such as 10, 15 or 20 years). At the end of that level premium period, premiums will increase each year thereafter. Term life is also convertible, meaning that it can be changed into a permanent policy for long-term life insurance protection. The initial cost for term life is generally lower than permanent life insurance, but the cost of temporary coverage increases over time (unlike permanent policies).

Term life insurance policies do not build cash value, so it is not possible to take funds out of them. However, a term life policy can be converted into permanent life insurance, which does build cash value that you can withdraw. Either type of policy provides a payout to loved ones in the form of a death benefit if the insured person passes away.

The right time depends on your personal situation. For example, if you have family members who depend on you financially, now is the time to consider term life insurance. It can replace some of your income for your loved ones if you pass away. You can learn more about all of your life insurance options when you connect with an agent.

Term life insurance covers you for a specific period of time–often somewhere between 10, 15 or 20 years, depending on your needs and the policy you choose. If you decide that you want something permanent, you can convert your term life coverage into a whole life insurance policy, which also accrues cash value that you can use during your lifetime.

Term life insurance is intended to provide temporary protection. If your policy expires during your lifetime, you do not receive a payout (also known as a death benefit). However, your agent can help you convert your term policy to a whole life policy (generally within the first ten years), which will provide lifetime protection and guarantees a death benefit for your loved ones.

There’s more than one way to protect the ones you love

COMPARE YOUR LIFE INSURANCE OPTIONS

Your payments  (premiums)

Payout for loved ones (death benefit)

Builds cash value

Guaranteed cash value growth

Potential earnings (dividends5)

Market growth potential

May go from temporary to permanent

Term life

Remains level for a period of time you select, then increases over time

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Always the same amount

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Can be adjusted

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In some cases

Guaranteed minimum interest credited

Can be adjusted

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Cash value growth subject to market risk

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Learn more about insurance

Wondering what a term life policy might look like for you?

Connect with an agent to see what’s possible for you

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1Term life insurance offers temporary protection for a critical period of time and is generally less expensive than permanent life insurance.

2Term conversion guidelines and limitations, such as timing, may apply; for example, there may be a ten-year conversion privilege for some products and a five-year conversion privilege for others. See the product factsheet or speak to your agent for more details.

3Rider Insured’s Paid-Up Insurance Purchase Option in New York.

4Not available in every state. There is a cost to exercise this rider. Products and riders are available in approved jurisdictions and names and features may vary.

5Dividends are not guaranteed. Not all participating policy owners are eligible for dividends.

For select riders, the condition applies to the insured. See the product and rider fact sheets for details.  In most jurisdictions, the form numbers are: Yearly Renewable Term (ICC22423-135P); Level Term (ICC22423-60P); Living Benefits Rider (ICC22423-498R); Spouse’s Paid-up Insurance Purchase Option (In New York, “Rider Insured’s Paid-Up Insurance Purchase Option”) (ICC22423-375R); Disability Waiver of Premium Rider (ICC22423-235R); Policy Purchase Option Rider (ICC22423-413R); State variations may apply. SMRU 5641351

Term life insurance is issued by NYLIFE Insurance Company of Arizona (NYLAZ), a wholly owned subsidiary of New York Life Insurance Company (NYLIC), except in New York, where it is issued by NYLIC. NYLAZ is not authorized in New York and does not conduct insurance business in that state.