Universal Life  

Variable Life  

Premium  

Lower initially.
Increases with each renewal.  

Higher initially than Term Life Insurance. Normally doesn't increase.  

Flexible premiums.
Premiums can rise as you get older or if the company's investments do not do well.  

Fixed or flexible premiums.  

Protects for  

A specified period.  

Entire life if you keep the policy.  

Entire life if you keep the policy.  

Entire life if you keep the policy.  

Policy benefits  

Death benefits only, no cash surrender value.  

Death benefits, possible dividends, and eventually a cash surrender value.  

Flexible death benefits and eventually a cash surrender value.  

Death benefits, earnings, and cash surrender values vary in relation to the performance of the investments you choose.