If, under the terms of any life insurance policy or of any written agreement supplemental to a life insurance policy, the proceeds are retained by the insurer at maturity or otherwise, no person entitled to any part of the proceeds, or to any installment of interest due or becoming due, may commute, anticipate, encumber, alienate or assign the proceeds or any part of the proceeds or interest if permission is expressly withheld by the terms of the policy or supplemental agreement. If the life insurance policy or supplemental agreement provides, no payments of interest or principal shall be in any way subject to the person's debts, contracts or engagements, nor to any judicial process to levy upon or attach the interest or principal for payment of those debts, contracts, or engagements.
Code 1950, § 38-115; 1952, c. 317, § 38.1-444; 1986, c. 562.