ADVERTISEMENT
Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Life, plans, and protection: Understanding what VUL insurance is — and what it isn't

Life, plans, and protection: Understanding what VUL insurance is — and what it isn't

Is VUL insurance right for you? Learn more about its features to know

Published Dec 11, 2025 09:29 am  |  Updated Dec 11, 2025 04:07 pm

At A Glance

  • Variable Unit-Linked, or VUL, insurance allows people to secure life insurance protection while having the opportunity to participate in market-linked funds.
Variable Unit-Linked, or VUL, insurance was introduced in the Philippines in the early 2000s, offering something new in the market. With this, people could secure life insurance protection while having the opportunity to participate in market-linked funds. Over time, this dual feature led to some confusion, with many seeing VUL as an investment vehicle rather than a protection plan.
At its core, VUL is an insurance policy designed to provide financial security for one’s beneficiaries. The investment component supports long-term planning by giving the policy room to grow as market conditions change. It is a solution that invites careful consideration because the fund value can rise or fall, and the policy works best with guidance and a long horizon.
Many Filipinos look for solutions that protect their families today and build future possibilities. A VUL can serve that purpose when matched properly to a person’s financial goals and comfort with market movement. Understanding the benefits and the possible drawbacks helps policyholders manage their VUL with confidence and clarity.
Benefits of owning a VUL insurance plan
A VUL gives guaranteed life insurance protection that supports loved ones during unexpected events. Alongside this protection, the investment component of the policy has the potential to increase in value over the long term.
Policyholders can choose which funds to participate in based on their goals and comfort level, whether they prefer steady growth or are open to a little more movement in exchange for potentially higher gains.
As long as the policy stays active, the beneficiary stands to benefit from both protection and possible long-term fund growth. Managed with patience and proper guidance, a VUL can contribute to education plans, retirement preparation, or other important milestones.
What to be cautious about and how to stay on track
Because the funds follow the market, their value can go down when economic conditions weaken. Growth is never guaranteed, as it usually is with any other type of investment products.
The structure may feel more complex than traditional life insurance, and it requires regular review to stay aligned with one’s evolving needs.
Staying informed with the help of a licensed advisor allows policyholders to explore fund switching and other adjustments that support both protection and progress over time. Advisors are trained to guide clients through changing market conditions and personal life stages, making sure the policy continues to serve its purpose.
With providers like Sun Life, policyholders have access to a range of professionally managed funds that suit different comfort levels. Some funds aim for steady movement through bonds, while others tap into the growth of companies through equities.
There are also balanced fund options that combine both for a smoother long-term path. Recently, clients can gain access to payout funds that provide a regular stream of cash payouts. Regular updates and reviews are part of the service, so clients can understand how their policy is performing and what choices are available to them.
Sun Life also offers digital tools that help clients track their policies and stay engaged with their financial journey. Through ongoing support from advisors and easy access to information, policyholders can make timely decisions that keep their coverage strong and their plans moving forward.
Talk to a Sun Life advisor today and check out the suitable VUL solution for you. Visit www.sunlife.co/VUL101 to learn more.

Related Tags

Sun Life Philippines
ADVERTISEMENT
.most-popular .layout-ratio{ padding-bottom: 79.13%; } @media (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px) { .widget-title { font-size: 15px !important; } }

{{ articles_filter_1561_widget.title }}

{{ item.title }}
.most-popular .layout-ratio{ padding-bottom: 79.13%; } @media (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px) { .widget-title { font-size: 15px !important; } }

{{ articles_filter_1562_widget.title }}

{{ item.title }}
.most-popular .layout-ratio{ padding-bottom: 79.13%; } @media (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px) { .widget-title { font-size: 15px !important; } }

{{ articles_filter_1563_widget.title }}

{{ item.title }}

{{ articles_filter_1564_widget.title }}

{{ item.title }}
.mb-article-details { position: relative; } .mb-article-details .article-body-preview, .mb-article-details .article-body-summary{ font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; font-family: "Libre Caslon Text", serif; color: #000; } .mb-article-details .article-body-preview iframe , .mb-article-details .article-body-summary iframe{ width: 100%; margin: auto; } .read-more-background { background: linear-gradient(180deg, color(display-p3 1.000 1.000 1.000 / 0) 13.75%, color(display-p3 1.000 1.000 1.000 / 0.8) 30.79%, color(display-p3 1.000 1.000 1.000) 72.5%); position: absolute; height: 200px; width: 100%; bottom: 0; display: flex; justify-content: center; align-items: center; padding: 0; } .read-more-background a{ color: #000; } .read-more-btn { padding: 17px 45px; font-family: Inter; font-weight: 700; font-size: 18px; line-height: 16px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; border: 1px solid black; background-color: white; } .hidden { display: none; }
function initializeAllSwipers() { // Get all hidden inputs with cms_article_id document.querySelectorAll('[id^="cms_article_id_"]').forEach(function (input) { const cmsArticleId = input.value; const articleSelector = '#article-' + cmsArticleId + ' .body_images'; const swiperElement = document.querySelector(articleSelector); if (swiperElement && !swiperElement.classList.contains('swiper-initialized')) { new Swiper(articleSelector, { loop: true, pagination: false, navigation: { nextEl: '#article-' + cmsArticleId + ' .swiper-button-next', prevEl: '#article-' + cmsArticleId + ' .swiper-button-prev', }, }); } }); } setTimeout(initializeAllSwipers, 3000); const intersectionObserver = new IntersectionObserver( (entries) => { entries.forEach((entry) => { if (entry.isIntersecting) { const newUrl = entry.target.getAttribute("data-url"); if (newUrl) { history.pushState(null, null, newUrl); let article = entry.target; // Extract metadata const author = article.querySelector('.author-section').textContent.replace('By', '').trim(); const section = article.querySelector('.section-info ').textContent.replace(' ', ' '); const title = article.querySelector('.article-title h1').textContent; // Parse URL for Chartbeat path format const parsedUrl = new URL(newUrl, window.location.origin); const cleanUrl = parsedUrl.host + parsedUrl.pathname; // Update Chartbeat configuration if (typeof window._sf_async_config !== 'undefined') { window._sf_async_config.path = cleanUrl; window._sf_async_config.sections = section; window._sf_async_config.authors = author; } // Track virtual page view with Chartbeat if (typeof pSUPERFLY !== 'undefined' && typeof pSUPERFLY.virtualPage === 'function') { try { pSUPERFLY.virtualPage({ path: cleanUrl, title: title, sections: section, authors: author }); } catch (error) { console.error('ping error', error); } } // Optional: Update document title if (title && title !== document.title) { document.title = title; } } } }); }, { threshold: 0.1 } ); function showArticleBody(button) { const article = button.closest("article"); const summary = article.querySelector(".article-body-summary"); const body = article.querySelector(".article-body-preview"); const readMoreSection = article.querySelector(".read-more-background"); // Hide summary and read-more section summary.style.display = "none"; readMoreSection.style.display = "none"; // Show the full article body body.classList.remove("hidden"); } document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", () => { let loadCount = 0; // Track how many times articles are loaded const offset = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]; // Offset values const currentUrl = window.location.pathname.substring(1); let isLoading = false; // Prevent multiple calls if (!currentUrl) { console.log("Current URL is invalid."); return; } const sentinel = document.getElementById("load-more-sentinel"); if (!sentinel) { console.log("Sentinel element not found."); return; } function isSentinelVisible() { const rect = sentinel.getBoundingClientRect(); return ( rect.top < window.innerHeight && rect.bottom >= 0 ); } function onScroll() { if (isLoading) return; if (isSentinelVisible()) { if (loadCount >= offset.length) { console.log("Maximum load attempts reached."); window.removeEventListener("scroll", onScroll); return; } isLoading = true; const currentOffset = offset[loadCount]; window.loadMoreItems().then(() => { let article = document.querySelector('#widget_1690 > div:nth-last-of-type(2) article'); intersectionObserver.observe(article) loadCount++; }).catch(error => { console.error("Error loading more items:", error); }).finally(() => { isLoading = false; }); } } window.addEventListener("scroll", onScroll); });
Join Our Newsletters

Sign up by email to receive news.

© 2025 Manila Bulletin The Nation's Leading Newspaper. All Rights Reserved.