Universal life insurance is a flexible-premium permanent life insurance contract in which the policyowner generally has discretion over the amount and timing of premium payments, provided sufficient policy value exists to cover mortality charges, expenses, and other deductions required to keep the contract in force.
Universal life illustrations commonly distinguish between a target premium and a minimum premium or minimum funding amount. The target premium is an insurer-determined amount intended to fund the policy according to assumed interest, mortality, expense, and benefit assumptions. It is not necessarily the minimum amount that can be accepted or the amount guaranteed to keep coverage in force indefinitely. A lower payment may be permitted if policy values are adequate, while additional funding may also be required when actual policy performance is less favorable.
Traditional whole life normally uses fixed scheduled premiums rather than a minimum-and-target premium structure. Graded-premium life uses predetermined premium increases during the early policy years. Adjustable life permits modification of certain contract features but is not the product principally identified by minimum and target premium terminology.
Accordingly, the terminology in the question specifically identifies universal life.
Study Guide Reference: Types of Life Insurance Policies — universal life; flexible premiums; target premiums; mortality charges; cash-value funding.
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