Cash Value

Glossary

Cash Value

The savings or investment component of a permanent life insurance policy, such as whole life insurance, universal life insurance and variable life insurance. A portion of each premium is credited to the cash value of the account, which grows on a tax-deferred basis. You can borrow from or withdraw the cash value, but doing reduces the death benefit. If you surrender the policy, you receive some or all of its cash value. See Cash Value Life Insurance

Your A‑to‑Z Glossary of Financial Terms