Tara,
Whole life also contains a cash value account that builds over time, slowly at first and gaining steam after several years. You can withdraw your cash value or take out a loan against it, but remember, if you die before you pay back the loan, the death benefit paid to your beneficiaries will be reduced. For example:
Susan has a $500,000 whole life policy in force and, over the years, has
borrowed continually from the cash value. Her total loan amount and accrued interest totals $300,000. When Susan dies, her beneficiary will receive $200,000 because the life insurance company will first pay itself back from the death benefit.
Understand what your beneficiaries will receive upon your death. If you have a traditional whole life policy, your beneficiaries receive only the death benefit no matter how much cash value you’ve built up.
Great Question.

Tags: Accrued Interest, Amarillo Texas, Beneficiaries, Beneficiary, Death Benefit, Insurance, Insurance Life, Insurance Texas, Life Insurance Company, Steam, Tara, Whole Life Insurance