The Insurance Pro Blog Podcast releases new episodes each week that support professional life insurance agents and financial planners who seek to better understand how cash value life insurance, in particular, might work for the benefit of their clients.
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Insurance Pro Blog Podcasts
Where Insurance Gets De-Mystified
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When someone asks you about the average rate of return for indexed universal life insurance, you'll discover that average is actually a meaningless number. You need to understand the probability of hitting specific rates of return to make accurate projections about what might happen with your IUL policy. In this episode, we analyze 40 years of S&P …
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You've probably heard the standard advice about who should buy whole life insurance: ultra-conservative investors who've maxed out their 401k and IRA contributions. The financial industry often treats cash value life insurance as a last resort for people with nowhere else to put their money. We challenge that conventional wisdom in this episode. Yo…
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Maximizing Cash Through Paid-Up Additions
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36:39You want to build cash value with whole life insurance, but you're not sure how paid-up additions actually work. This episode breaks down the fundamentals of paid-up additions riders and why they're essential for cash accumulation. We explain the difference between having a PUA rider and actually using it effectively. You'll learn why a policy buil…
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This episode examines real-world data from a 12-year-old indexed universal life insurance policy. We track how the policy performed despite significant changes to its original parameters. The case study reveals insights about IUL resilience and flexibility. The policy started with a 12% cap rate and 2% floor on the S&P 500. Over the 12 years, the c…
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The life insurance industry just hit its strongest growth in over four decades. We break down the latest LIMRA data, which shows a 13% premium increase and 17% policy growth in Q2 2025. Cash value policies are driving this surge, not term insurance. Index universal life sales increased 21% year-over-year, while whole life sales grew 8% and variable…
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You've probably heard that whole life insurance is the "safe" choice while indexed universal life insurance is "risky" and volatile. This episode challenges that conventional wisdom with actual data and real-world examples. We break down why this oversimplified risk-reward framework misses important details about how these products actually perform…
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Premium Financing: Not the Magic Solution
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36:15You've probably heard premium financing pitched as a smart way to buy large life insurance policies without the hefty upfront costs. In this episode, we break down why this strategy often leads to expensive disappointments and mounting lawsuits. We examine recent court cases that show how premium financing arrangements can spiral out of control whe…
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If you own indexed universal life insurance or you're considering buying it, you've probably looked at all the index options and wondered which one to choose. In this episode, we dive deep into the data to answer that question with empirical analysis rather than guesswork. We examine the two most common index options available across IUL contracts:…
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Are you obsessing over life insurance expenses and expense ratios? You might be focusing on the wrong thing. In this episode, we explain why expenses in life insurance policies matter far less than you think. We break down the difference between expense ratios and load fees, and why neither should be your primary concern when evaluating life insura…
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Are you wondering if AI will make insurance agents obsolete? We put artificial intelligence to the test with four real-world insurance scenarios to see if it could handle the job. From simple term life quotes to complex cash value life insurance strategies, we wanted to know if AI could truly replace human expertise. You'll discover how AI performe…
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You've probably heard the debate about whether term or whole life insurance is "better" and wondered which side is right. In this episode, we explain why you're asking the wrong question entirely. Comparing these two types of insurance based on premium alone will lead you to the wrong conclusion every time. We'll show you why term and whole life in…
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You'll discover why life insurance is experiencing remarkable growth in 2025, with industry-wide sales up 8% year over year. We break down the latest statistics from LIMRA showing which types of life insurance are leading the charge, including indexed universal life at 11% growth and variable universal life with an impressive 41% increase. You'll l…
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Are Volatility Controlled Indices Worth It?
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31:27Are volatility controlled indices (VCIs) just another insurance industry gimmick, or do they actually benefit you as a policyholder? In this episode, we break down these increasingly popular index options found in indexed universal life insurance and indexed annuities. You'll discover what VCIs are, why insurance companies love them, and whether th…
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Looking for the right whole life insurance company in 2025? We break down the major players in the participating whole life insurance market and discuss what makes each one unique. You'll learn which companies excel at cash accumulation and which ones focus more on providing affordable permanent death benefits. We cover over a dozen companies inclu…
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You face a critical decision when designing whole life insurance: optimizing for death benefit or maximizing cash value accumulation. These two objectives sit on opposite ends of the spectrum, and trying to balance them often means you don't accomplish either goal effectively. We break down the fundamental trade-offs you need to understand before p…
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You've probably heard about Modified Endowment Contracts (MECs) and wondered what all the fuss is about. Many people fear creating a MEC with their life insurance policy, but they don't really understand what it means or how it happens. In this episode, we break down the history behind MECs and why they were created in the first place. You'll learn…
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You've probably heard criticism about index universal life insurance and its overly optimistic projections. We tackle this head-on by examining what really happens when your IUL policy doesn't perform as expected in those crucial early years. We break down three realistic scenarios using actual numbers and assumptions. You'll see how a policy perfo…
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Unlocking Generational Wealth-Whole Life Insurance Secrets
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34:05Are you tired of hearing the same old debate about term versus whole life insurance? In this episode, we cut through the noise and reveal why whole life insurance might be the wealth preservation tool you've been overlooking. We explore how successful business owners and high earners use life insurance to protect their assets from market volatility…
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Infinite Banking: Strategy or Sales Gimmick?
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49:08In this episode, we dive deep into infinite banking to answer the burning question: is it a legitimate financial strategy or just a clever way to sell whole life insurance? You'll discover what infinite banking actually is, how it works, and why it's become such a polarizing topic in the financial world. We break down the good aspects of infinite b…
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Modern retirement is facing a critical challenge. While baby boomers have largely avoided financial disaster, their success relies heavily on pensions – a benefit that's rapidly disappearing. You'll discover why the next generation of retirees faces a fundamentally different landscape. We dive into the stark numbers behind retirement funding. Pensi…
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Life Insurance as Your Secret Retirement Risk Management Tool
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39:25Planning for retirement involves more than just saving money in a 401(k). Your retirement "portfolio" includes all the assets that will support you when you stop working - from investment accounts to real estate to part-time income. But these assets face serious risks that could derail your retirement plans. In this episode, we explain how life ins…
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Life insurers are asset managers with a primary focus on growing your relatively small premium dollars into a significant death benefit. They invest prudently to protect themselves from loss when it's time to pay claims. Over many years, this conservative approach to growing assets can work to your advantage. When you put an "overfunded" policy in …
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Ever wonder if Americans truly believe stocks are the best way to save for retirement? In this episode, we examine surprising survey data that challenges common investment industry assumptions. We explore where Americans prefer to put their long-term savings and why many avoid the stock market altogether. We examine why financial freedom isn't nece…
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Do you believe stocks are the best investment for retirement? Our data might surprise you. Recent surveys show only 27% of Americans prefer stocks for long-term savings, with real estate and cash following closely at 24% and 21%, respectively. We explore why many Americans avoid the stock market, citing volatility, intimidation, and beliefs that th…
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Indexed Universal Life and Its Reset Magic During Downturns
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27:57Wonder how your IUL policy behaves during market volatility? In this episode, we unpack how Indexed Universal Life insurance performs in today's unpredictable market conditions. You'll discover why IUL isn't actually buying market exposure and how it creates a unique value proposition during economic downturns. Learn about the annual reset feature …
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In this episode of the Insurance Pro Blog Podcast, hosts Brandon Roberts and Brantley Whitley dive into the resilience of the life insurance industry during periods of market volatility and geopolitical tension. You'll learn why life insurance companies remain stable even when other financial sectors struggle, and how they've weathered previous eco…
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Life Insurance: The Ultimate Market Buffer
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31:35Life Insurance: The Ultimate Market Buffer When market volatility strikes, your retirement plans can take an unexpected hit. In this episode, we discuss how life insurance serves as a non-correlated asset during uncertain economic times. We explore why diversification outside traditional market investments matters, especially for those approaching …
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In this episode, we dive into problematic life insurance schemes that have led to lawsuits. We examine how premium financing - originally designed for high net worth individuals seeking death benefits - was repurposed as a risky retirement strategy for people who didn't need it. You'll learn about a recent lawsuit involving complex tax schemes pair…
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In this episode, you'll learn about the tax advantages of whole life insurance that make it a powerful financial tool. Discover how whole life insurance offers tax-deferred growth, tax-free access to cash value, and income tax-free death benefits without complex financial maneuvers. Explore how these features compare to other investment options lik…
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Tapping Your Policy for Retirement Income
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28:55In this episode, we tackle a common question: Can you really use life insurance cash value for retirement income? We explore how permanent life insurance policies can provide a stable income source that isn't subject to market volatility. You'll learn the practical differences between withdrawals and loans from your policy and why most retirees don…
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Is Whole Life Insurance a Good Hedge Against Tariffs?
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31:46Are you wondering how to protect your assets during economic volatility? In this episode, we explore whether whole life insurance and other cash value life insurance products can serve as effective hedges against tariffs and market turbulence. We discuss three key benefits these insurance products offer during volatile times: stable retirement inco…
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You've heard the claims about whole life insurance, but what's the reality? In this episode, we dive into the actual performance data from our book of business spanning over 10 years. We reveal that whole life policies have averaged a 5% year-over-year growth in cash value. We explain why whole life insurance performance often exceeds expectations …
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You're about to discover what really happens with indexed universal life insurance policies based on actual data, not hypotheticals. The average index credit across our database of IUL policies is 7.93% - significantly higher than the 5.25-6% assumptions typically used when modeling these products. This episode breaks down how IUL policies have per…
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You may believe that stocks are the only path to retirement success, but this episode challenges that conventional wisdom. We explore why whole life insurance might produce similar retirement income despite lower apparent returns and why managing risk becomes even more crucial when you're likely to fall short of traditional retirement targets. We s…
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Discover why focusing solely on low-cost investing might not be the best strategy for your financial future. Learn how combining traditional investments with alternatives like whole life insurance can create a more stable retirement income, even if the expenses are higher. Find out why some financially successful people choose to pay more for certa…
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The Real Reason People Don't Own Whole Life Insurance
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35:20In this episode, we explore the core reason why many people don't own whole life insurance—and it's not what you might think. You'll learn how affordability plays a unique role, not just in terms of premium payments but also in reaching a financial position where whole life insurance makes strategic sense. We compare two retirement planning approac…
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The First Five Years of Retirement: Why 70% of Retirees Get This Wrong
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32:13In this episode, we explore why the first five years of retirement are critical to your long-term financial security. We examine research showing how sequence of returns risk can dramatically impact your retirement outcomes, regardless of your savings rate or investment strategy. Your portfolio's performance during two key periods - the last 15 yea…
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The $17,000 Solution: Rethinking Traditional Retirement Planning
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29:00In this episode, you'll learn how combining annuities with traditional market investments can boost your retirement income by $17,000 annually. Using a real case study of a 60-year-old with $1 million in retirement savings, we break down how splitting assets between an annuity and market investments not only increases total income but also provides…
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Why Annuities Make Sense: A Deep Dive into Retirement Portfolio Protection
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32:57In this episode, you'll learn how annuities can play a crucial role in creating reliable retirement income. We explore why the traditional advice of "just take more risk" when your retirement savings fall short may not be the best approach for generating the income you need. You'll understand how market volatility affects retirement withdrawals and…
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The Truth About Building a Million Dollar Retirement
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34:22Join us as we break down what it really takes to build a $1 million retirement fund using IUL (Indexed Universal Life Insurance) versus traditional market investing. We explore how saving $17,852 annually over 25 years can lead to different outcomes depending on your chosen strategy. Through practical examples, we'll show you why account balances d…
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Dynamic Retirement Income Planning and IUL
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32:56Join us as we explore how Indexed Universal Life (IUL) insurance can support a dynamic approach to retirement income planning. We examine why treating retirement income as a static number often doesn't match reality. Using real examples, we break down different withdrawal scenarios—from steady increases to accommodate inflation to varying distribut…
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It's a Great Time to Buy Whole Life Insurance
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36:24In this episode, we explore how recent innovations in whole life insurance have created more flexible and powerful policies than ever before. We discuss how modern whole life insurance differs from older policies, particularly in terms of premium flexibility and cash value accumulation. You'll learn how today's policies offer features that address …
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Your Pursuit of Millionaire Status will be your Downfall
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37:07In this episode, we challenge the common obsession with reaching a seven-figure net worth and explain why focusing solely on accumulating wealth might be counterproductive to your financial well-being. We explore a different approach to financial independence, one that emphasizes generating reliable income streams rather than building a large portf…
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In this episode, we explore Kodak's surprising decision to terminate its well-funded pension plan, which has created a $585 million surplus. We discuss why private pensions like Kodak's tend to be better funded than public ones and what this termination means for current pension holders. We break down your options when facing pension changes, from …
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In this episode, we examine surprising research about how retirees actually use their 401(k)s for retirement income. We share data from a recent study showing that only a small percentage of retirees rely on their 401(k)s and IRAs for significant income, despite decades of marketing suggesting these would be primary retirement vehicles. You'll lear…
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In this episode, we explore how Indexed Universal Life Insurance (IUL) might perform in a potentially lower-return market environment. We discuss why IUL products could actually thrive during market downturns, especially in a high interest rate environment, and explain how their fixed account options provide additional flexibility. You'll learn abo…
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In this episode, we examine some interesting predictions from Wall Street about the stock market's next decade. Several major firms suggest we might see much lower returns than we've grown accustomed to—possibly just 3% annually for the S&P 500. We explain why market concentration in just a handful of big tech companies might lead to this outcome a…
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In this episode, we explore why whole life insurance remains a reliable financial tool despite market trends and flashy investment alternatives. We examine how conservative saving strategies often outperform risky investments over time and discuss why disciplined savers consistently build lasting wealth. You'll learn why whole life insurance serves…
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You are NOT Going to Get Rich Buying Indexed Universal Life Insurance
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31:52In this episode, we tackle the trending claims about Indexed Universal Life Insurance (IUL) as a path to wealth. We discuss why IUL isn't a get-rich-quick scheme and explain its actual purpose as a conservative financial tool. You'll learn about IUL's real performance compared to whole life insurance and the stock market. Understand its role in tax…
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Things You Never Hear the Internet Say About Annuities
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34:16We reveal five surprising truths about annuities that you rarely hear discussed online. Drawing on our decades of experience in financial services, we share why people actually embrace annuities when they understand their real benefits. We examine how annuities can provide tax-free income when paired with a Roth IRA, which typically criticizes annu…
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