Total Economic WealthBuy Term & Invest the Difference · All tools

Buy term and invest the difference, or keep the VUL?

Pay the same dollars either way. One path buys a variable universal life policy. The other buys term insurance and puts the rest in a managed account. Here is which path makes each dollar work harder: more cash value, more left to your family, and a higher return on every premium.

Your numbers

Upload the two illustrations, then adjust the assumptions. Everything below updates as you change them.

No VUL illustration loadedThe PDF is read in this browser; nothing is uploaded.
No term illustration loadedOr type the level premium below.

Managed account

Set to the VUL illustration's gross rate when you upload it, so both paths earn the same.
Advisory fees are not tax-deductible.
Taxed every year even when nothing is withdrawn. Tax-loss harvesting lowers this.
"Invest the difference" only works if the client invests it every year.
Return lost to buying and selling at the wrong time. Morningstar measures about 1.2% a year; a 2026 Financial Analysts Journal study puts the timing cost near 0.1%.

Taxes and estate

On dividends and gains: 20% + 3.8% NIIT at the top.
Virginia 5.75%.
Ownership applies to the VUL and the term policy alike. The managed account is always in the estate.
40% federal once the estate is above the exemption ($15M per person in 2026). Add any state estate tax.

Term policy and timing

Advisor settings
0 = new policy. For an in-force VUL, the year the client is in now.
In-force VUL: net surrender value, less any tax on the gain.

VUL illustration ledger

Columns: Year, Age, Premium, Withdrawal/Loan income, Net cash surrender value, Death benefit. Paste from Excel or edit directly; tabs, commas or spaces all work.

Term premium schedule

Columns: Age, Annual premium. Leave empty to use the level premium above until the level period ends.

The comparison

Upload a VUL illustration, or open Advisor settings and load the sample case.

How this is calculated

Important disclosures

For internal use by financial professionals only. Not for public distribution.

This is a hypothetical comparison for discussion purposes. It is not an illustration under the NAIC Life Insurance Illustrations Model Regulation and does not replace the carrier's illustration, which must be reviewed in full, including guaranteed values. Values shown for the variable universal life policy come from the carrier illustration at the hypothetical gross rate of return shown; they are not guaranteed and actual results will be more or less. The managed account projection uses a level hypothetical return; actual returns vary from year to year, and losses are possible on both paths.

Variable universal life insurance is sold by prospectus. Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the policy and its investment options carefully before investing; the prospectus contains this and other information and should be read carefully. Policy values in the investment divisions fluctuate with market conditions and, when surrendered, may be worth more or less than the premiums paid. Loans and withdrawals reduce the policy's cash value and death benefit, may cause the policy to lapse, and may result in a tax liability if the policy lapses or is surrendered. Policy loans are generally income-tax-free only while the policy remains in force and is not a modified endowment contract. Life insurance requires medical and financial underwriting.

Term insurance provides coverage only for the stated term; premiums typically increase substantially after the level premium period and coverage may end. The term path assumes the client qualifies for the coverage shown.

Tax and estate calculations are simplified and based on current law, which may change. Neither the advisor nor New York Life or its affiliates provide tax, legal or accounting advice; clients should consult their own tax and legal professionals. Estate tax results assume the estate exceeds the applicable exemption and, where selected, that the policy is properly owned by an irrevocable trust outside the estate. The investor behavior gap reflects published industry research and is not a prediction for any individual.

Registered Representative offering securities through NYLIFE Securities LLC (member FINRA/SIPC), a licensed insurance agency and a New York Life company. Financial Adviser offering investment advisory services through Eagle Strategies LLC, a registered investment adviser. Oxus Wealth Strategies, LLC is not owned or operated by NYLIFE Securities LLC or its affiliates.