Both cover you for life and build cash value. With universal life, you choose how your account is invested and can adjust what you pay, but you carry the investment risk, and the account has to keep up with the monthly cost of insurance. With participating life, your premiums and guaranteed values are set in your contract, the insurer manages the investments, and you may also earn dividends, which aren’t guaranteed.
How do universal life insurance and participating life insurance differ?
Reviewed by Garrett Agencies Ltd., October 2026. How we write
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More about participating life insurance
Permanent life insurance that can earn dividends, which you can use to add coverage, build cash value or lower your premiums.
More questions about participating life insurance
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