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Protect your family, invest for your future

Universal life insurance combines lifetime insurance coverage with the long-term growth potential of tax-advantaged investing.

Universal life insurance

 
 
Universal life insurance gives you several ways to grow your wealth—including investment and tax-deferral options—and protect your estate with a flexible, permanent coverage option.

You should consider universal life insurance if you:

Want permanent life insurance coverage

Are financially secure and want to grow your wealth

Contribute the maximum to your RSP

Are nearing retirement and want to preserve your estate

0 – 85

Eligible ages*

Flexible

Coverage available

Living benefits

Range of interest options

Benefits of universal life insurance

A flexible solution that offers the security of lifetime coverage and tax-effective investing to help you protect your assets and your loved ones for the long-term.

Range of investments

Create the portfolio that is right for you with a range of investments called interest options and your choice of two plans—one with bonus interest, one without.

Tax-advantaged investing

A portion of your premium purchases your insurance, while the rest earns interest that is not taxable while it remains in your policy.

Access to funds

Throughout your lifetime, you can access the funds in your policy to supplement your income in retirement or during a time of illness.

Lifetime coverage

The unique features of universal life insurance make it an ideal way to protect your assets and pass them on to your beneficiaries.

Living benefits

A compassionate advance and a disability benefit can provide valuable protection while you are alive.

Estate planning

The unique features of universal life insurance make it an ideal way to protect your assets and pass them on to your beneficiaries.

Single or joint coverage

Choose coverage for yourself only, for yourself and your spouse, and/or for other family members.

Flexibility

Choose how much to pay into your policy and how you want to pay your premiums.

Tax-free benefit

Your beneficiary or estate receives the death benefit tax-free.¹

What’s covered?

  • Death benefit: If you die during the time period when coverage is in effect, your beneficiaries or estate can receive the death benefit tax-free.1

You can choose from two death benefit options:

  • Level protection pays a death benefit equal to either your coverage amount or the amount accumulated in your policy, whichever is greater.
  • Increasing Protection Death Benefit pays a death benefit equal to your coverage amount plus your accumulation value.

You can also choose between single life insurance coverage (for example, for yourself only) and joint coverage on the lives of several people. With joint coverage, you have two options:

Note: If your needs change, you may switch your death benefit option once at any time after the second policy year.

  • Disability Benefit: Payable from your policy’s accumulation value in the event of a terminal illness or a disability as specified in the policy schedule, the disability benefit is payable once a year for as long as you (or another insured, under a joint policy) are disabled.
  • Compassionate Advance2: Should you become terminally ill, you can request an advance of up to 50% of your policy’s death benefit, to a maximum of $250,000.

Optional coverage3

Note: This information is intended as a summary only. Please see a sample rider policy for complete details on rider and optional coverage terms and conditions, including benefits and exclusions.

  • Additional term insurance: Add this option at any time, for no extra policy fee, if you need affordable coverage for temporary needs like insuring a business loan or mortgage.
  • Children’s Term Rider: Provides term life insurance coverage for your natural or legally adopted children.
  • Accidental Death Benefit Rider: Pays an additional death benefit if you die as a direct result of an accident.
  • Total Disability Waiver of Deductions Benefit Rider: After being totally disabled for six consecutive months, we will the payment of cost of insurance deductions, including the policy fee and rider premiums while you are totally disabled.
  • Payor Death and Disability Waiver of Deductions Benefit Rider: If someone else pays your premiums and he or she dies we will waive monthly premiums while policy is in force or if he or she becomes and remains totally disabled for six consecutive months, we will waive the payment of cost of insurance deductions, including the policy fee and rider premiums while this person is totally disabled.

Summary of exclusions4

Note: This information is intended as a summary only. Please see the sample policy for RBC Universal Life or RBC Universal Life with Bonus Interest for complete details on terms and conditions, including benefits and exclusions.

  • During the application process, if we are given incorrect or incomplete information regarding age, gender, health, lifestyle or smoking habits, we reserve the right to deny or adjust your benefit.
  • During the first two years of coverage, if death is due to suicide, then no benefit is payable.
  • During the application process, if we are given incorrect or incomplete information regarding age, gender, health, lifestyle or smoking habits, we reserve the right to deny or adjust your benefit.
  • Four definitions of disability are recognized for coverage under the disability benefit; additional exclusions apply.
  • Other exclusions may apply depending on optional benefits chosen.

About your premiums

If you don’t smoke, lead a healthy lifestyle and have a positive family history, you may qualify for discounted preferred rates.

Choice in Premium Payments:

RBC Universal Life insurance allows you to choose how much premium you want to contribute, as long as it is above the minimum required to keep your policy in force and below the maximum set to keep your policy tax exempt. (The minimum is specified in your policy; the maximum changes annually based on your policy’s accumulation value.)

You can also choose the timing and allocation of premium payments, and how your money will be invested.

After deducting a premium tax from each premium payment, we direct the balance to your policy’s interest options. Every month we deduct enough to cover the cost of insurance and a guaranteed policy fee of $10 per month.

Flexible Ways to Pay: You can choose from these payment options:

  • Annually Increasing Cost of Insurance is the “pay as you go” option. It has lower costs at the start, so more of your premiums go towards the plan’s accumulation value. This is a great option if you want to build the policy’s accumulation value and take advantage of your tax-deferral opportunity.
  • Level to 100 Cost of Insurance is the “pay in advance” option. It locks in a fixed minimum premium for the life of the policy. This might be the right option if you have less time for wealth accumulation and are more focused on maximizing the policy’s death benefit for estate planning purposes.
  • You can also “have it both ways” by using the Annually Increasing option to build your policy’s accumulation value in the early years, and then change to the Level to 100 option any time after the second policy year. This change will increase your premiums, since your new insurance rate will be based on your age when you make the change.
  • You may pay for your policy on a monthly or annual basis.

Interest options for RBC Universal Life Insurance

With RBC Universal Life insurance, you can choose from a wide range of interest options to meet your investing goals. The interest options you choose become accounts under your policy to which you allocate all or a portion of your premiums for the purpose of earning interest.

Choose from a range of interest options

A licensed RBC Insurance advisor will help you choose the right interest options to meet your needs and review your profile annually to make sure your needs continue to be met.

  • Daily Interest Option: This option offers the lowest risk and, typically, the lowest rate of return. It is recommended as a place to hold your money for a short time until you decide how you want to allocate your premiums.
  • Guaranteed Interest Options: These options guarantee a fixed rate of return. These may be ideal if you want a secure investment with a minimum interest guarantee, and are able to invest for a specified term.

Our guaranteed interest options include:

    • Mid-Term Portfolio Option
    • Long-Term Portfolio Option
    • Guaranteed Interest 1-Year Term Option
    • Guaranteed Interest 3-Year Term Option
    • Guaranteed Interest 5-Year Term Option
    • Guaranteed Interest 10-Year Term Option

Variable Interest Options: Variable interest options give you the opportunity to earn market returns without directly investing in the underlying index or mutual fund. These options have a return linked to a Canadian, U.S. or international equity index or to a professionally-managed RBC® mutual fund or portfolio. Because values can fluctuate, these options may be most suitable if you have a longer time horizon for wealth accumulation. Additionally, currency exchange rate fluctuations can have an effect on your returns if you choose a variable interest option that is linked to an index or fund with a foreign component.

We offer the following variable interest index options and variable interest fund options:

Index options

    • Canadian Equity, linked to the S&P/TSX 60 Total Return Index
    • Canadian Financial, linked to the S&P/TSX Capped Financials Index
    • Canadian Energy, linked to the S&P/TSX Capped Energy Index
    • European Equity, linked to the S&P Europe 350 Total Return Index

Fund options

    • RBC Select Conservative Portfolio
    • RBC Select Balanced Portfolio
    • RBC Select Growth Portfolio
    • RBC Select Aggressive Growth Portfolio
    • RBC Canadian Short-Term Income Fund
    • RBC Bond Fund
    • RBC Global Bond Fund
    • RBC Global Balanced Fund
    • RBC Balanced Fund
    • RBC Balanced Growth Fund
    • RBC Canadian Equity Fund
    • RBC Canadian Dividend Fund
    • RBC North American Dividend Fund
    • RBC North American Growth Fund
    • RBC U.S. Equity Fund
    • RBC U.S. Mid-Cap Equity Fund
    • RBC Global Dividend Growth Fund

Grow your accumulation value even faster

To meet your needs, RBC Universal Life insurance is offered in two versions.

  • RBC Universal Life insurance with bonus interest: RBC Universal Life insurance with bonus interest offers an effective annual rate of 1.5% of the policy’s accumulation value. This bonus is guaranteed to be credited with no pre-conditions whatsoever. Best of all, there’s no waiting—we start crediting bonus interest in the first month of your coverage. This option could be ideal if you are investing primarily in guaranteed interest options and expect bond rates to rise significantly.
  • RBC Universal Life insurance: RBC Universal Life insurance offers lower daily management fees for this plan’s interest options, resulting in a higher credited interest rate. This option could be ideal if you are investing primarily in variable interest options and would benefit from lower daily management fees.

Universal life rates of return

Check the rates of return for investments under RBC Universal Life insurance.

Family waving in front of home

Maxim, Mentor, Maxinvest and Maxivu information

Do you have an existing universal life insurance policy from RBC Insurance that is invested in Maxim, Mentor, Maxinvest or Maxivu segregated funds? You can access fund facts, financial statements and more below.

Please note: These investments are no longer options for new policies.

Segregated fund fact sheets

Gain insights into your investment options. Download our comprehensive fact sheets for an in-depth look at the performance and management of our balance, bond, and equity growth funds for 2023.

Illustration of fund facts sheet

Audited financial statements

Review the financial integrity and performance of our legacy funds with the December 2021 audited report.

illustration of financial statements

Whatever your needs, we can help.

Protect your loved ones and invest for the future with universal life insurance—talk to a licensed insurance advisor.

Need help now? Call 1-866-262-7918

father and son covered by universal life insurance

Frequently asked questions about universal life insurance

General insurance
Eligibility
Investment details
Applying for coverage
Premiums
Coverage details

Still have questions? Contact us.

General insurance

The answer to this question depends on several factors, including your salary, whether you have other life insurance, your financial obligations and more. Generally, 5-7 times your current net income is recommended. However, your specific needs could be less than or greater than this recommendation.

If you smoke, you may still apply for coverage. You will qualify for non-smoker rates only if you have not used any form of tobacco products within the last 12 months. If you occasionally smoke or if you have quit smoking in the last 12 months, you are considered a smoker.

Once the policy is issued, you can apply for a change to non-smoker rates if you have gone a full 12-month period without using any form of tobacco products. Contact us and apply for a switch to non-smoker rates. You will have to complete a medical questionnaire and we will send out a nurse to collect medical evidence, most likely a urinalysis. Once our underwriters have approved your application and your eligibility is confirmed, you will be switched to non-smoker rates.

Eligibility

You may apply for universal life insurance if you are between the ages of 0 to age 85.

Yes, you will need to complete a medical questionnaire. Other tests may also be required based on your age and the amount of insurance you have applied for. If you are required to provide other tests, we will arrange to have a nurse visit your home or workplace at a time that’s convenient for you. All tests are at the expense of RBC Insurance.

Investment details

Yes. In fact, we recommend that you review your financial goals at least once a year. Your advisor can help you review your policy and consider whether to make any changes. You can change your future premium allocation or transfer money between interest options up to four times per policy year without incurring additional fees. Please note that a market value adjustment may apply if you are withdrawing money from a guaranteed interest option.

Just like a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), the interest you earn within your policy is not taxable as long as your policy falls within the tax-exemption limits prescribed under the Income Tax Act. Tax deferral enables your policy to grow more rapidly than an investment that is subject to taxation. We carefully manage your policy to maintain its tax exempt status. For details on how we achieve this, please speak to an advisor.

Applying for coverage

To apply for universal life insurance:

Yes, you can cancel your insurance at any time by written request. You will receive the policy’s accumulation value, minus any outstanding insurance costs and applicable surrender charges if you cancel your policy during the early years of your coverage. Surrender charges are specified in your policy. A market value adjustment may also apply if you withdraw money from a guaranteed interest option. The proceeds of your cancelled policy may also be subject to taxation.

Premiums

Yes. Your policy will allow you to choose how much premium you want to contribute to your policy, within the minimum premium we set to keep your policy in force and the maximum we set to keep your policy exempt from taxation. The minimum premium is specified in your policy; the maximum changes every year depending on how your policy’s accumulation value is growing.

Your policy gives you complete choice over the timing and allocation of premium payments—you can pay annually or monthly by pre-authorized debit, and you decide how your money will be invested. After we deduct a premium tax from each premium payment, we direct the balance to your policy’s interest options. Every month we deduct enough to cover the cost of insurance and a guaranteed policy fee of $10 per month.

There are various terms and payment options to choose from. A licensed RBC Insurance® advisor can help you choose the policy that’s right for your specific needs and budget.

You may pay for your policy on a monthly or annual basis.

  • If you are paying by monthly pre-authorized debit, we will automatically debit your account when you are approved for coverage.
  • If you select to pay on an annual basis, we will send out an invoice for the annual premium.
  • As premiums become due under the policy, we will give you 30 days after your premium due date to make your premium payment. If we do not receive your payment during this time, the insurance will terminate and your coverage ends.

Coverage details

Universal life insurance policies combine permanent life insurance with an investment component. A portion of each premium purchases your life insurance, while the balance earns interest that is not taxable while it remains in the policy. Because of this, you help to protect your family against the possibility that you may die, and you help to protect your financial future.

By combining insurance, tax-advantaged investing and flexible coverage options, universal life insurance from RBC Insurance can help meet your most important financial needs.

Upon your death, the policy pays out a tax-free death benefit3, which can be used to help:

  • Ensure the ongoing financial security of your loved ones
  • Pay any taxes associated with your estate, thereby preserving your estate assets and passing your wealth or your business, intact, to the next generation
  • Provide a legacy for your favourite charity

During your lifetime, the policy’s tax-advantaged accumulation value grows tax-free, providing you with a potential source of funds for:

  • Protecting your income and ensuring your family’s lifestyle
  • Supplemental income in retirement
  • A financial safety net in the event of an illness or disability

Yes, not only is it possible, it’s the cornerstone of effective estate planning. When your estate (such as your business, cottage or income property) passes to your heirs, it is—with the exception of your main residence—treated by Canada Revenue Agency as income to your estate. Your heirs may have to borrow money or sell off part of the estate to pay the tax. As a result, your heirs could see a much smaller benefit from your hard work and generosity.

Estate planning is one of the main reasons for buying universal life insurance. When your estate passes to your heirs, the tax-free3 insurance benefit could help to offset the taxes.

Yes, your coverage is completely customizable, allowing you to choose the best options for your needs, lifestyle and investment strategy.

A minimum premium is required to keep the policy in force. If you pay more than the minimum, then a portion of each premium goes towards investments you choose, earning interest that is not taxable while it remains in the policy. There are a number of ways you can access your policy’s accumulation value.

You are covered under the policy once you are approved, you have accepted delivery of the policy, and we have received the first premium.

Yes. You can request to reduce or increase your coverage at any time by contacting us at 1-855-665-2406. If you want to increase your coverage, new evidence of insurability and approval will be required. Your premiums will also be updated based on the new amount of insurance.

Yes. Your coverage is subject to the following exclusions:

  • During the first two years of coverage, if death is due to suicide, then no benefit is payable.
  • During the application process, if we are given incorrect or incomplete information regarding age, gender, health, lifestyle or smoking habits, we reserve the right to deny or adjust your benefit.
  • Four definitions of disability are recognized for coverage under the disability benefit; additional exclusions apply.

Other exclusions may apply depending on optional benefits chosen.

The information above is intended as a summary only. Please see the sample policy for RBC Universal Life or RBC Universal Life with Bonus Interest for complete details on terms and conditions, including benefits and exclusions.

Still have questions? Contact us.

The information within this site is not intended to provide tax advice. You should seek independent tax advice from a tax professional or advisor.