How to use life insurance for tax and estate planning

This article was originally published on March 14, 2024, and was updated on March 7, 2025.

Life insurance is an important part of tax and estate planning. Not only does it offer a safety net to ensure the financial needs of your loved ones are covered when you pass away, but it is also a versatile tool for managing finances, particularly from a tax planning perspective. 

The most direct way life insurance is beneficial from a tax perspective is its tax-free death benefits. This means death benefits are transferred to your loved ones tax-free after you die. But when it comes to using life insurance for tax and estate planning, there is so much more to know. 

Life insurance for estate planning basics

There are two types of permanent life insurance that should be evaluated when looking at life insurance tax planning. The first is whole life insurance, which has fixed premiums and guaranteed cash value growth. The other type, universal life insurance, provides more flexibility in premiums and the potential for higher cash value accumulation, depending on market conditions. 

Also read: Types of life insurance

Is life insurance a good estate planning tool? 

Life insurance can be used as a strategic estate planning tool. Let’s take a look at how life insurance, through tax-deferred growth and tax-free loans and withdrawals, can enhance the value of your estate while offering financial flexibility. 

Tax-deferred growth

The cash value in whole and universal life insurance policies grows tax-deferred, which means you don't pay taxes on the growth as long as the money stays in your policy. You will only be taxed when the funds are withdrawn. 

Whole life insurance offers stable growth with fixed premiums, while universal life insurance provides more flexibility to choose how the funds are invested and potential for higher returns based on market performance. 

This tax-advantaged growth makes these policies useful tools for saving money in a way that's not immediately taxed, offering a significant benefit over regular investment accounts where taxes can reduce your annual returns.

Also read: Is life insurance taxable in Canada?

Tax-free loans and withdrawals 

Permanent life insurance policies allow for tax-free loans and withdrawals, offering a strategic advantage in estate planning. Policyholders can borrow against the cash value of their policy without facing immediate tax implications, provided the policy remains in force. 

Withdrawals up to the amount of premiums paid are also tax-free. This feature can be particularly useful for managing estate liquidity and tax liabilities efficiently, allowing for a more flexible and tax-efficient transfer of wealth to surviving loved ones.

Life insurance for estate tax planning: Estate liquidity and equalization

Life insurance increases an estate's liquidity by providing a cash benefit upon the policyholder's death. 

Liquidity in finance means having access to cash or assets that can quickly be converted into cash, which is crucial in situations when immediate expenses need to be covered. 

Beneficiaries can use this payout to settle taxes, debts, and other immediate financial obligations without the need to sell off assets like homes or businesses to cover these expenses. This ensures the estate can meet its financial responsibilities in a timely manner without losing valuable assets or incurring additional costs.

Life insurance can also be used for estate equalization, which involves creating a fair balance among beneficiaries when the estate's assets are hard to divide equally. This strategy is especially useful in scenarios where there are significant non-liquid assets, like a family business or real estate.

The bottom line

Life insurance is an important part of both tax and estate planning, offering benefits like tax-deferred growth and increased liquidity. These advantages make it an essential part of securing your financial future and ensuring your estate is managed according to your wishes after you pass away. 

To make the most of life insurance in your financial strategy, consult with a financial advisor. They can help you find a life insurance plan that fits your unique needs and financial situation, ensuring you and your loved ones are well-protected.

For information about insurance and taxes visit our insurance tax guide.

Also read

• Filing Canadian taxes: Everything you need to know
• Life insurance for chronic illness – what you need to know
• The biggest life insurance myths in Canada
• Can you take out life insurance on anyone?
• You may no longer have enough life insurance thanks to the capital gains tax hike