Search
Enter a search term.
line drawing document and pencil

File a claim

Need to file an insurance claim? We’ll make the process as supportive, simple and swift as possible.
Team

Action Teams

If you want to make an impact in your community but aren't sure where to begin, we're here to help.
Illustration of stairs and arrow pointing upward

Contact support

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Need to discuss a complex question? Let us know—we’re happy to help.
Use the search bar above to find information throughout our website. Or choose a topic you want to learn more about.
Illustration of pie chart with upper left quarter separated from the rest

Variable universal life insurance

With more control over your cash value, you can provide financial protection for your family and make investment choices guided by your goals.
Connect with us
I’m interested in learning more about
*Please select an insurance option.
Who will we contact?

To learn more about the privacy of your information, visit our Notice at Collection for California Consumers or our privacy policy.

What is your contact information?
Form Submission Failure

Unfortunately the form submissions has failed. Please go back and try submitting the form again or come back later and try again.

Illustration of a person trimming a tree shaped like a padlock
We’re excited to connect with you!

We'll be in touch soon.

a high five

Next Steps

  1. You'll receive an email and a phone call from us soon to begin discussing your request
  2. We will connect you with the right people to support your financial goals.
  3. There is no obligation to buy at any time.

What does variable universal life insurance offer?

Middle-aged couple enjoying dinner outside with a few others
Permanent protection
Variable universal life insurance is a type of permanent life insurance. As long as your contract retains sufficient cash value, coverage can remain in place throughout your entire life.
Child on a smiling woman's lap
Death benefit
If you pass away while coverage is in place, your contract will provide a financial payout to your beneficiaries. Those can be family members, other loved ones, or organizations that support causes you care about. While you have coverage, you can adjust the amount of the death benefit your contract will provide. But be aware: Increasing coverage may require an underwriting process.
Couple dancing in a bedroom
Cash value
Your contract includes cash value, which you can access while you’re living to help accomplish financial goals. You can borrow from your cash value to help cover major expenses—such as college tuition—or provide income during retirement. Your cash value may grow on a tax-deferred basis, and withdrawals may be tax-free.
An elderly couple having fun outside
Flexible payments
As with any universal life insurance contract, you have opportunities to adjust your premiums, changing how much—and how often—you pay. That flexibility can be helpful if you experience income fluctuations. But keep in mind: Any premium adjustments you make may affect the growth of your contract’s cash value. Reducing premiums may also lead to a lapse in coverage if the contract doesn’t retain sufficient cash value.
Woman smiling and scrolling through her phone
Investment options
With variable universal life insurance, you can influence the growth of your contract’s cash value by choosing how to invest it. Select from a range of options managed by dedicated financial professionals. Pick solutions that align with your goals and reflect the amount of risk you’re comfortable taking on.

Variable universal life FAQs

Learn more about how you can shape this insurance solution to suit your financial goals.
How does variable universal life insurance work?
Variable universal life insurance (VUL) is a type of permanent life insurance that works by providing a death benefit for your beneficiaries and a cash value component for you—which is invested in subaccounts for potential to produce greater returns. You also have some flexibility with your VUL premiums and death benefit. You can change how much and how often you pay your premiums over time. And you may be able to adjust your death benefit as life, and your need for coverage, changes.

Explore the features of variable universal life insurance
What are the pros and cons of variable universal life insurance?
Variable universal life insurance offers advantages like a flexible premium and death benefit, access to cash value with tax-deferred growth potential, and lifelong protection (as long as your contract remains in force). But there can be some tradeoffs, including higher risk and a need for regular monitoring of your policy to make sure you don’t lose too much money if the market drops and forces your contract to lapse. While there are no caps to how high your cash value earnings can be, there’s also no floor for how low they can go.

Compare variable universal life insurance benefits & drawbacks
Variable universal vs. universal life insurance—which is right for you?
As types of permanent life insurance, variable universal life (VUL) and universal life insurance function very similarly. Both offer flexible premiums and a cash value component. But the main difference is that the cash value in a VUL contract doesn’t earn a minimum interest rate like most universal life insurance contracts do. Instead, VUL allows you to invest your cash value in investment subaccounts—exposing you to more market risk, but also more potential for greater earnings.

Compare variable universal & universal life insurance
How does variable universal life insurance compare with whole life insurance?
Variable universal life insurance (VUL) and whole life insurance are both types of permanent life insurance. Because of this, they share some features like a death benefit, cash value and a certain amount of guaranteed investment growth. However, there are some key differences: Your death benefit and premiums never change with whole life insurance, but can sometimes be adjusted with VUL. And while there’s potential for dividends and guaranteed growth on the cash value in your whole life contract, variable universal life insurance comes with more risks (but possibly more rewards), since its cash value is invested in a variety of subaccounts.

Compare variable universal & whole life insurance
Free learning tool
How much life insurance do you need?
Enter your current assets, expenses and income. You can also adjust the inflation rate and your expected rate of return to see how these variables could impact your insurance needs.

Get the details you're looking for

Learn more about Thrivent variable universal life insurance. See investment, prospectus and performance information.
View prospectuses, fact sheets and reports.
See daily values and performance for the variable universal life insurance products we offer.
Illustration of people in circles with lines connecting them
Connect
Let’s find coverage that fits you
Personalized financial guidance requires a personal connection. We can help.
Connect with us
I’m interested in learning more about
*Please select an insurance option.
Who will we contact?

To learn more about the privacy of your information, visit our Notice at Collection for California Consumers or our privacy policy.

What is your contact information?
Form Submission Failure

Unfortunately the form submissions has failed. Please go back and try submitting the form again or come back later and try again.

Illustration of a person trimming a tree shaped like a padlock
We’re excited to connect with you!

We'll be in touch soon.

a high five

Next Steps

  1. You'll receive an email and a phone call from us soon to begin discussing your request
  2. We will connect you with the right people to support your financial goals.
  3. There is no obligation to buy at any time.
Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. The prospectus and summary prospectuses of the variable universal life contract and underlying investment options contain information on investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses, which investors should read carefully and consider before investing. Available at thrivent.com.
If you have a modified endowment contract, your actions may not be tax-free.

Coverage increases and decreases have limitations related to contract size and age of insured. Increases may require evidence of insurability. Decreased charges may apply to a decrease in coverage. Coverage may be terminated prior to maturity date even if scheduled premiums are paid in a timely manner.

Loans and surrenders will decrease the death proceeds and the value available to pay insurance costs which may cause the contract to terminate without value. Surrenders may generate an income tax liability and charges may apply. A significant taxable event can occur if a contract terminates with outstanding debt. Loaned values may accumulate at a lower rate than unloaned values. Contact your tax advisor for further details.

If requested, a licensed insurance agent/producer may contact you and financial solutions, including insurance may be solicited.

Thrivent and its financial professionals do not provide legal, accounting or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional.

Guarantees based on the financial strength and claims paying ability of Thrivent.

This contract has exclusions, limitations and terms under which the benefits may be reduced, or the contract may be discontinued. For costs and complete details of coverage, contact your licensed insurance agent/producer.
2.2.1.4