You may be thinking of buying a life insurance policy where cash values, death benefits, dividends or premiums may vary based on events or situations the company does not guarantee (such as interest rates). If so, you may get a life insurance illustration from the agent or company that helps explain how the policy works.

The life insurance illustration will show how the benefits that are not guaranteed will change as interest rates and other factors change.

The life insurance illustration will show you what the company does guarantee.

The life insurance illustration will also show you what could happen in the future. Please remember that nobody knows what will happen in the future.

You should be ready to adjust your financial plans if the cash value doesn't increase as quickly as shown in the life insurance illustration. You will be asked to sign a statement that says you understand that some of the numbers in the illustration are not guaranteed.