Business-owned life insurance

Can a business access the cash value of permanent life insurance?

Yes. With permanent coverage, the business can generally use the cash value through a policy loan, a withdrawal or as collateral for a bank loan. Each one affects the death benefit, and a policy loan or withdrawal can be taxable. Growth inside the policy is generally tax-deferred, and in an exempt policy it doesn’t count as the business’s passive income each year.

Reviewed by Garrett Agencies Ltd., October 2026. How we write

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More about business-owned life insurance

Life insurance held by the corporation, for funding obligations and planning ahead.

Business-owned life insurance

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