Split dollar: an employer and an employee share the cost and benefits of a permanent life policy. In the classic arrangement, the employer pays the part of each premium equal to the yearly increase in cash value (and gets that money back at death or surrender), and the employee pays the rest; the employee's beneficiary receives the remaining death benefit. Used as an executive benefit.

Deferred compensation (nonqualified): the employer promises to pay an executive later (often at retirement) and may informally fund the promise with life insurance or an annuity it owns. It is not a qualified plan, so it may favor selected executives.

Pre-need and funeral insurance: small policies or annuities bought to pay funeral and burial expenses. California has a separate, narrower license, life limited to funeral and burial expenses, for agents who sell only policies or annuities with an initial face amount of $20,000 or less designated for funeral and burial expenses; those applicants take a shorter exam (§1676(c)).

Modified premium whole life: premiums are lower for the first few years and then rise to a higher level amount for the rest of the policy's life. It suits someone who needs permanent coverage now but expects income to grow, such as a young professional.