Podcasts about Indexed universal life

Life insurance is one of the most important financial tools available... and one of the most misunderstood. In this episode of the Working Wealth Podcast, Patrick Rogers and Trevor Rasmussen break down the major types of life insurance, including term life, whole life, universal life, indexed universal life (IUL), and variable life insurance. They discuss what life insurance is actually designed to do, why so many families are underinsured, and how different policy structures work in the real world. The conversation also explores the strengths and weaknesses of cash value policies, how life insurance pricing works, what makes someone uninsurable, and why many financial professionals recommend starting with term coverage before considering more complex strategies.

David McKnight addresses one of the biggest threats to your retirement plan: sequence of returns risk. Are you retired or within 10 years of retirement? Sequence of returns risk may be the single most important concept you need to understand if you want to ensure your money lasts as long as you do. Sequence of returns risk refers to the danger of experiencing a market downturn early in retirement while you're simultaneously taking withdrawals from your portfolio. David explains why this risk is most dangerous during your first 10 years of retirement. Early in retirement, your money still needs to last 20 to 30 years – an early blow to your portfolio can significantly impact its ability to do so. To defend yourself in the most dangerous decade of retirement, you need an account that allows you to avoid touching your stock portfolio until the market has recovered. The reason for that is that, historically, most market downturns take 3-5 years to recover back to their previous peak. David discusses the 4% Rule and the "catch" that comes along with it. Some experts, like Suze Orman, recommend having 3-5 years' worth of expenses accumulated in an emergency fund. David goes over why it may not be a good idea.  David brings Indexed Universal Life insurance (IUL) and the concept of volatility buffer into the conversation. Remember: if you're within 10 years of retirement, now is the time to start thinking seriously about how you'll create a volatility buffer.     Mentioned in this episode: David's new book, available now for pre-order: The Secret Order of Millionaires David's national bestselling book: The Guru Gap: How America's Financial Gurus Are Leading You Astray, and How to Get Back on Track Tax-Free Income for Life: A Step-by-Step Plan for a Secure Retirement by David McKnight DavidMcKnight.com DavidMcKnightBooks.com PowerOfZero.com (free video series) @mcknightandco on Twitter  @davidcmcknight on Instagram David McKnight on YouTube Get David's Tax-free Tool Kit at taxfreetoolkit.com Suze Orman

An article just came out calling IULs "the next 401(k)s." And it's got my blood pumping.We spent decades being told 401(k)s were the answer. Over 60% of Americans are now stressed about money in retirement. So what does the market do? Push a new product — Indexed Universal Life insurance — without truly educating people on how it actually works.In this episode, I break down the biggest problem with IULs that most insurance agents don't even understand themselves: the Cost of Insurance goes up as you age. If you don't account for it, the policy starts eating your cash value alive.I share a real story of a man who put nearly $20,000/month into a policy for 30 years, built $600,000 in cash value — and watched it drop below $150,000 without pulling a single dollar out. His retirement strategy did nothing for him.Every financial product was created for a reason. IULs aren't evil. 401(k)s aren't evil. But if you don't understand what you're putting your money into, you're going to get burned. Stop reading one article and jumping in. Educate yourself — because the person selling it to you might not even understand it themselves.

You've probably seen the pitch. Maybe you sat across from an advisor, or watched a video, or had a friend forward you something. The illustration was impressive: tax-free income in retirement, market upside without the downside, a number at the end that made your eyes widen a little. An Indexed Universal Life policy, they said, could be the retirement vehicle you've been missing. https://www.youtube.com/live/c9mJzNr029w?si=u2Tt1t2K2eyqKkRc Parts of it sound great. Who wouldn't want growth linked to the S&P 500 with a floor that stops your cash value from going negative? Who wouldn't want retirement income that doesn't show up on a tax return? But what if the real risk isn't what the illustration shows? What if it's what the illustration doesn't show? That's the question this article is here to answer. Not to label IUL as good or bad. Not to tell you it's a scam. But to walk through what an IUL is actually designed to do, where its structural assumptions start to break down, and why so many people discover the problems far too late, often right as they're approaching retirement. By the end, you'll understand the specific retirement risks that rarely come up in the sales conversation, when IUL might genuinely make sense, and what a stronger alternative looks like as part of a broader retirement plan. Key TakeawaysWhat Is an IUL, and How Does It Actually Work?The Index Crediting StructurePoint-to-Point CreditingThe Flexible PremiumThe Retirement Risk No One Warns You AboutThe Cost That Keeps ClimbingWhy the Illustration Is Not the ContractWhen "Flexibility" Becomes a LiabilityWhat Happens When the Policy Can't Sustain ItselfThe Added Risk of Premium FinancingTo Be Fair: When IUL Might Be AppropriateThe Right Buyer for IULThe Non-Negotiable ConditionWhat Actually Works: Whole Life as Part of a Retirement PlanThe Volatility BufferTax-Neutral AccessThe Death Benefit as Permission to SpendHow to Use ItThe Questions Worth Asking Before You CommitWhat a Plan Built on Certainty Looks LikeBook a Strategy CallFAQsIs IUL good for retirement income?What is the biggest risk of using IUL in retirement?Can IUL replace a 401(k) or IRA for retirement?What is the difference between IUL and whole life for retirement planning?What happens if my IUL policy lapses in retirement? Key Takeaways IUL is built on a one-year renewable term chassis, meaning mortality costs are contractually guaranteed to rise each year, peaking exactly when you need the policy to perform most reliably. The zero floor on crediting does not mean your cash value can't decline. Fees, mortality costs, and loan interest still come out regardless of how the index performs. The "flexibility" of IUL premiums is often a behavioral trap. Missed payments don't announce themselves. Policies deteriorate quietly. Using policy loans for retirement income adds a third layer of cost on top of already-rising mortality charges and fees, compounding the risk of lapse. If a policy lapses with outstanding loans and cash value above your cost basis, a taxable event is triggered. In retirement, that's one of the worst times to absorb an unexpected tax bill. IUL has a legitimate, narrow use case. For most people, whole life serves as the certainty layer within a diversified retirement system. What Is an IUL, and How Does It Actually Work? An Indexed Universal Life policy is a form of permanent life insurance with three components: a death benefit, a cash value account, and a premium. On the surface, that's similar to whole life. The distinction is in how the cash value grows, and what's guaranteed. The Index Crediting Structure With an IUL, your cash value is credited based on the performance of a market index, most commonly the S&P 500. Two limits govern that crediting. A floor (usually 0%) means that if the index goes negative, your credited amount doesn't go below zero. A cap limits how much you receive in a strong year, typically anywhere from 6% to 15%, depending on the contract. The important thing to understand: you're not actually invested in the index. The insurance company contractually agrees to credit your cash value according to how the index performs, up to the cap, and no lower than the floor. You don't receive stock dividends. You don't get the full return. You get the index's price movement, constrained at both ends. Point-to-Point Crediting The crediting is measured from your policy anniversary date to the next. The index could surge dramatically mid-year and then pull back before your anniversary, and you'd receive little or no credit for any of that movement. Some contracts offer two-year or three-year point-to-point options with higher caps or participation rates. But those extended windows also mean extended periods with no crediting at all. The Flexible Premium IUL premiums are marketed as flexible. You can pay more or less within certain limits. That sounds like a generous feature. What it actually means for your retirement plan is something we'll come back to shortly. It's not as generous as it sounds. The Retirement Risk No One Warns You About Here's where the pitch and the reality start to diverge. Individually, most of what's in an IUL illustration is technically accurate. Together, the assumptions stack up in ways that don't show up in the numbers, and the consequences tend to land at the worst possible time. The Cost That Keeps Climbing IUL is built on a one-year renewable term chassis. The cost of insurance increases every single year as you age. That's not a possibility. It's contractually guaranteed. In the early years, that cost is low and relatively painless. But as you approach retirement, the exact period you plan to draw income, those mortality charges accelerate sharply. They don't plateau. They keep climbing through your 70s and 80s. For anyone planning retirement with IUL as a central piece, this trajectory is a serious structural problem. Compare that to whole life. A properly structured whole life policy has level premiums and level costs, guaranteed for life. The insurance company bears that cost certainty. With an IUL, you do. And the policy has to absorb rising costs whether or not the index cooperates. Why the Illustration Is Not the Contract An IUL illustration is a lengthy document, often around 60 pages. Whole life illustrations run closer to 20. That's not a coincidence. Financial educator Todd Langford on IUL has explored in depth why the math behind these illustrations so often breaks down in practice. The IUL document is full of disclosures: the company is not responsible for future performance, caps and participation rates can change, and projections are not guarantees. Understanding the full picture of IUL risks before committing is essential. The whole life illustration is shorter because the guaranteed column is real. The company stands behind those numbers by contract. IUL illustrations often show impressive projections: millions of dollars in 30 years, tax-free income throughout retirement. They also reassure you that a 0% crediting floor means you can't lose money. But both can't be true at the same time. Any year that credits 0% interrupts compounding. While the index credits nothing, mortality costs and administrative fees still come out of your cash value. A zero-credit year is a negative year for your actual cash value. You're just not losing it through index crediting. The phrase says "zero is your hero." But if you're also being shown $5 million at the end of 30 years, some of those years will credit zero. Factor in flat years, rising mortality costs, and fees. The projected number starts to look very different from what the contract actually guarantees. When "Flexibility" Becomes a Liability Flexible premium sounds like a feature. In retirement planning, where discipline and predictability matter most, it often functions as a liability. The pattern plays out like this: a policyholder funds consistently for years. A financial pressure point arrives, a family emergency, a period of lower income, or an unexpected expense. They miss a payment, intend to make it up, then miss another. The agent isn't servicing the policy, so there's no annual review to flag it. The automatic draft stops when they change bank accounts and never gets restarted. Months become years. The cash value has to cover mortality costs and fees on its own. It depletes faster. The policyholder is further from the illustrated outcome every quarter, and they don't know it. To be fair, disciplined policyholders who fund consistently and review annually don't fall into this trap. But the product's flexibility makes discipline optional, and optional discipline is a risk in any long-term financial plan. Whole life's level premium creates discipline precisely because it removes the choice. If you can't pay, the contract has a built-in mechanism: reduced paid-up, which converts the policy to a smaller paid-up policy rather than letting it lapse. Nothing equivalent exists in an IUL.  That's also why IUL for Infinite Banking doesn't work. Banking requires certainty, and IUL can't provide it. What Happens When the Policy Can't Sustain Itself This is the scenario that doesn't make it into the sales presentation. And it's exactly the scenario that can materialize in retirement. Index crediting comes in lower than projected for a few years. Mortality costs keep climbing. Policy loans taken to fund retirement income carry their own interest charges. At some point, the policy can't sustain itself. The owner faces a stark choice: inject a lot more premium, potentially many times what was originally being paid, or let the policy lapse. For someone on fixed retirement income, coming up with a large unexpected premium often simply isn't possible. If the policy lapses with outstanding loans and cash value above your co

Few financial products generate as much excitement (or possibly as much confusion) as indexed universal life insurance.  IUL insurance has become one of the most aggressively marketed policy types in the industry, pitched with language that sounds almost too good to overlook, including terms such as market-linked upside, downside protection, tax-advantaged growth, and flexible premiums. https://www.youtube.com/live/fZS1uPmsCS0 Some of that is real, but we feel strongly that context and nuance should be applied when procuring any IUL policy, as it can obscure risks that don't become apparent until years after you have signed. This article is an honest guide to what an IUL policy actually is, how it works under the surface, what it promises versus what it delivers, and why, for those building a financial strategy around Infinite Banking, we consistently and strenuously recommend a different path. Key TakeawaysWhat Does Indexed Universal Life Insurance Mean?How Does an IUL Policy Work?The Floor, Cap, and Participation Rate ExplainedThe FloorThe CapThe Participation RateFlexible Premiums – Feature or Risk?IUL vs. Whole Life Insurance: Key DifferencesCan You Use an IUL for Infinite Banking?Why The Money Advantage® Recommends Whole Life for IBCWho Is IUL Best Suited For?IUL Pros and Cons: An Honest AssessmentWant Help Evaluating Your Policy Options? Key Takeaways An indexed universal life insurance policy is a form of permanent life insurance that ties cash value growth to the performance of a stock market index, subject to caps, floors, and participation rates. IUL offers flexible premiums and the potential for market-linked returns without direct market exposure. That flexibility, however, comes with complexity and risk that most sales presentations understate. The 0% floor protects against index-driven losses, but it does not protect against policy fees and rising cost of insurance charges, which can erode cash value even in flat or positive market years. For those practicing Infinite Banking, IUL introduces variables that conflict with the certainty and control the strategy requires. Whole life insurance remains the preferred vehicle. IUL is not inherently a scam or a bad product. It is, however, a complex one, and complexity without understanding is where financial damage happens. What Does Indexed Universal Life Insurance Mean? An indexed universal life insurance policy is a type of permanent life insurance with two distinguishing features: flexible premiums and a cash value component that earns interest based on the performance of a stock market index, most commonly the S&P 500. You don't own shares or invest directly in the market. Instead, the insurance company credits interest to your cash value based on how the chosen index performs over a given period, within defined parameters, including a floor (usually 0%), a cap (often 10-12%), and a participation rate (the percentage of index gains you actually receive). The core appeal of an indexed universal life insurance policy is quite understandable, as you get some exposure to market growth without the risk of direct market loss. Your cash value won't decline because of a bad year in the S&P 500, and that's exactly what the floor is for.  But with that comes a caveat: your gains are limited in strong years by the cap and the participation rate. Now, on the face of it, that may sound like a reasonable tradeoff. And for some people, in some situations, it certainly can be. But the full picture is far more complicated than the pitch suggests, and, once again, the complications tend to show up years down the road. How Does an IUL Policy Work? The mechanics of an IUL policy involve more moving parts than wholelife insurance, and understanding those parts is essential before committing to one. When you pay a premium, that money is allocated across three buckets: the cost of insurance (COI) – the actual price of maintaining your death benefit – policy fees and administrative charges, and whatever remains flows into your cash value account. The cash value is then credited with interest according to the index strategy you've selected. This is where the structure differs most from whole life insurance. With a whole life contract, your cash value growth is guaranteed by the contract, and dividends from a mutual company add to that growth. With IUL insurance, your credited interest depends on external index performance, constrained by the carrier's rules, which the carrier can change. That glaring distinction is far more telling than it might seem at first glance. The Floor, Cap, and Participation Rate Explained These three mechanics define the boundaries of your IUL's cash value growth, and they deserve a close look. The Floor The floor is the minimum interest credited to your cash value in any given period, usually 0%. If the S&P 500 drops 15% in a year, you are credited 0% rather than absorbing that loss.  That sounds protective - and it is, in a narrow sense.  But a 0% credit year doesn't mean your cash value holds steady. Policy fees and cost of insurance charges are still deducted regardless, which means your cash value can shrink even when the floor is doing its job. The Cap The cap is the maximum interest credited, regardless of how well the index performs. If your policy has a 10% cap and the S&P 500 returns 25% in a given year, you receive 10%. The other 15% stays with the insurance company. In a strong bull market, the cap quietly siphons off the upside that made the product appealing in the first place. The Participation Rate Finally, we have the participation rate, which determines what percentage of the index gain (up to the cap) you actually receive. An 80% participation rate on a 10% index return means you are credited 8%. However, caps and participation rates are not permanently fixed. Insurance carriers can adjust them. The concern here is that what may be illustrated at the point of sale may not be what you experience five, ten, or twenty years into the policy. Flexible Premiums – Feature or Risk? One of the most marketed features of indexed universal life insurance is premium flexibility. Unlike traditional whole life, where the base premium is fixed and contractually guaranteed, IUL allows you to vary premiums within certain limits. You can pay more in strong years and less in lean ones. While whole life with paid-up additions riders can also offer flexibility for adding extra premium, those additional contributions are optional. Traditional whole life does not depend on extra rider premiums to keep the policy in force. That sounds like freedom. In reality, it could be viewed as a trap, of sorts. The issue is that underfunding an IUL policy (paying less than the amount needed to cover insurance charges and fees) doesn't trigger an immediate consequence. The policy stays in force, but the shortfall compounds over time.  Alarmingly, because the cost of insurance in a universal life chassis increases as you age, the gap between what you're paying and what the policy requires can widen dramatically in your 60s, 70s, and beyond. This is one of the most commonly realized negatives of IUL insurance. Policyholders who reduced premiums during their working years discover decades later that their policy is on the verge of lapsing, and the cost to keep it alive has absolutely skyrocketed. By the same token, flexible premiums can work for disciplined, well-informed owners who understand the risks. But the flexibility itself is not the safety net it is frequently marketed as - it's an anxiety-inducing variable that requires active management for the life of the policy. IUL vs. Whole Life Insurance: Key Differences A huge number of people researching IUL are comparing it to whole life. But while the two products are both permanent life insurance, their internal architecture is fundamentally different. IULWhole LifeCash value growthTied to index performance, subject to caps, floors, and participation rates. Not guaranteed.Contractually guaranteed growth, plus highly anticipated dividends from a mutual company.PremiumsFlexible - can vary year to year.Fixed and level - guaranteed never to increase.Cost of insuranceIncreases annually with age. Deducted from cash value.Built into the level premium structure. No separate increasing charge.Death benefitCan fluctuate depending on funding and policy performance.Guaranteed for life.ComplexityHigh - multiple moving parts, carrier-adjustable terms.Low - contractually defined.Policy loan behaviorLoan interest plus uneven crediting can create negative arbitrage.Predictable. Cash value continues to earn while loans are outstanding. Either way, neither product is universally or objectively better. They serve different purposes, and the differences in guarantees, predictability, and internal cost structures are significant, especially for anyone planning to use their policy as a long-term financial tool. Can You Use an IUL for Infinite Banking? Some advisors market indexed universal life for “banking” strategies, making the case that IUL's potential for higher returns makes it a superior vehicle for building a personal banking system. That is not the same thing as the Infinite Banking Concept as taught by Nelson Nash. As Authorized Infinite Banking Practitioners, we believe Infinite Banking is properly implemented with dividend-paying whole life insurance because the concept is about becoming your own banker by taking the banking function into your own life. And our position is not arbitrary. The Infinite Banking Concept is built on predictability, certainty, and control. You need confidence in how your cash value system will function over time.  You need guaranteed access to policy loans. You need a death benefit that doesn't fluctuate....

If you own a universal life insurance policy, you may not realize you can pay more than the premium your agent quoted you. In this episode, we break down what overfunded indexed universal life insurance is, how it works, and why it might be worth your attention. We walk you through how IUL policies are typically designed versus how they should be designed if cash value accumulation is your goal. You'll learn why starting with your budget — not a death benefit amount — is the right approach when building a max funded policy. We also cover how the indexing component works and what kind of returns you can realistically expect on a risk-adjusted basis. We run through a real numbers example showing how $30,000 per year over 20 years can generate $62,000 in annual tax-free retirement income. If you already own a policy and haven't been funding it to the maximum, we explain your options. There's more flexibility in universal life insurance than most people realize, including the ability to catch up on missed contributions. We close out with a discussion on how overfunded IUL can serve as a bridge strategy for early retirees and those navigating Roth conversions while managing Medicare premiums. Ready to talk through whether an overfunded IUL makes sense for you? Schedule a call with us — we'd love to help.

Joe Saul-Sehy, OG, and Neighbor Doug pull up a rickety basement chair and unpack a growing trend: people treating investing like a series of high stakes bets instead of a long term plan. Sparked by a recent Wall Street Journal piece on aggressive investing, the gang digs into where the line is between smart risk taking and straight up gambling with your future. Using plenty of real world examples and a few basement metaphors, the crew breaks down how stocks, businesses, options, and even so-called innovative products can fall into very different categories depending on why you're using them. The key theme? Good investing isn't about being bold. It's about understanding probabilities, controlling what you can, and stacking the odds in your favor over time. Along the way, the team also tackles listener questions, including some strong feelings about Costco (because of course), and shines a flashlight into the dark corners of complex products like Indexed Universal Life insurance, explaining why "sounds sophisticated" doesn't always mean "fits your plan." If markets feel noisy, confusing, or a little unhinged right now, this episode is your reminder that boring, disciplined strategies still win, and that you don't need to bet the farm to build one. What You'll Learn: • Why so many investors are confusing betting with investing right now • How to tell the difference between calculated risk and speculation • Why understanding probability matters more than chasing big wins • Where options, businesses, and alternative investments can fit and where they often don't • The hidden risks behind complex products like Indexed Universal Life (IUL) policies • Why compounding beats hype even when headlines say otherwise • How small, consistent decisions quietly outperform flashy moves • Yes, what Costco has to do with smart money choices This Episode Is For You If: • Markets feel confusing and you're not sure if you're investing or just guessing • You've been tempted by strategies that sound sophisticated but feel risky • You want to understand the line between smart risk and gambling • You're tired of flashy investment advice and want clarity on what actually works • You need reassurance that boring, disciplined strategies still win Question for You: What's the riskiest financial move you've ever considered, and what stopped you (or didn't)? Share your answer in the Spotify comments or the Stacking Benjamins Facebook group. Bonus points if hindsight made you laugh or wince. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joe Saul-Sehy, OG, and Neighbor Doug pull up a rickety basement chair and unpack a growing trend: people treating investing like a series of high stakes bets instead of a long term plan. Sparked by a recent Wall Street Journal piece on aggressive investing, the gang digs into where the line is between smart risk taking and straight up gambling with your future. Using plenty of real world examples and a few basement metaphors, the crew breaks down how stocks, businesses, options, and even so-called innovative products can fall into very different categories depending on why you're using them. The key theme? Good investing isn't about being bold. It's about understanding probabilities, controlling what you can, and stacking the odds in your favor over time. Along the way, the team also tackles listener questions, including some strong feelings about Costco (because of course), and shines a flashlight into the dark corners of complex products like Indexed Universal Life insurance, explaining why "sounds sophisticated" doesn't always mean "fits your plan." If markets feel noisy, confusing, or a little unhinged right now, this episode is your reminder that boring, disciplined strategies still win, and that you don't need to bet the farm to build one. What You'll Learn: • Why so many investors are confusing betting with investing right now • How to tell the difference between calculated risk and speculation • Why understanding probability matters more than chasing big wins • Where options, businesses, and alternative investments can fit and where they often don't • The hidden risks behind complex products like Indexed Universal Life (IUL) policies • Why compounding beats hype even when headlines say otherwise • How small, consistent decisions quietly outperform flashy moves • Yes, what Costco has to do with smart money choices This Episode Is For You If: • Markets feel confusing and you're not sure if you're investing or just guessing • You've been tempted by strategies that sound sophisticated but feel risky • You want to understand the line between smart risk and gambling • You're tired of flashy investment advice and want clarity on what actually works • You need reassurance that boring, disciplined strategies still win Question for You: What's the riskiest financial move you've ever considered, and what stopped you (or didn't)? Share your answer in the Spotify comments or the Stacking Benjamins Facebook group. Bonus points if hindsight made you laugh or wince. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if your money stopped dictating your schedule and started supporting the life you actually want to live? Joe Saul-Sehy welcomes CFP Dana Anspach of Sensible Money as special guest co-host for an episode featuring this week's mentor, Andy Hill. Andy shares how he stepped away from the corporate grind, redesigned his priorities, and built a life where family and flexibility came first. His story isn't about escaping work. It's about building a financial foundation that gives you options. Then the conversation shifts to a headline that caught everyone's attention: NASCAR driver Kyle Busch and his wife Samantha are suing their insurance company, calling the life insurance they purchased "a scam." Dana uses this case to break down one of the most misunderstood areas in personal finance: life insurance. From Indexed Universal Life (IUL) policies to knowing when insurance is a tool and when it's a distraction, she shows how clarity of goals should drive every decision and how to avoid the traps that caught even high earners like the Buschs. The episode also touches on estate planning, scams to watch out for, how young adults should think about budgeting and debt, and how to evaluate whether paying off loans or investing is the better move for your situation. It connects the dots between time freedom, smart planning, and protecting what you're building. What You'll Learn: • How to design your finances around the life you want, not just the paycheck you earn • What "owning your time" really means and how to start moving in that direction • Why your financial plan should begin with values and priorities, not products • How to think about entrepreneurship without blowing up your financial stability • What the Kyle Busch insurance lawsuit reveals about life insurance products and sales tactics • The truth about Indexed Universal Life insurance and when it may or may not make sense • How to evaluate life insurance based on goals instead of sales pitches • How estate planning protects your family and your legacy • The pros and cons of paying off loans versus investing • Budgeting principles that help young adults build strong money habits early • How to recognize and avoid financial scams (including insurance product traps) • Why celebrating progress matters just as much as setting the next goal This Episode Is For You If: • You feel like your money controls your life instead of supporting it • You want more flexibility and time freedom but don't know how to fund it • You're confused about whether life insurance products are helping or just costing you (especially after hearing about the Busch lawsuit) • You're trying to figure out the right order of financial moves (debt vs investing, insurance vs saving) • You want your financial plan to reflect your actual values, not just what you're "supposed" to do This episode is about aligning your money with your life. If you're ready to stop reacting to your finances and start using them to build more freedom, flexibility, and confidence, this one belongs at the top of your queue. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/own-your-time-with-andy-hill-and-dana-anspach-1793 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What if your money stopped dictating your schedule and started supporting the life you actually want to live? Joe Saul-Sehy welcomes CFP Dana Anspach of Sensible Money as special guest co-host for an episode featuring this week's mentor, Andy Hill. Andy shares how he stepped away from the corporate grind, redesigned his priorities, and built a life where family and flexibility came first. His story isn't about escaping work. It's about building a financial foundation that gives you options. Then the conversation shifts to a headline that caught everyone's attention: NASCAR driver Kyle Busch and his wife Samantha are suing their insurance company, calling the life insurance they purchased "a scam." Dana uses this case to break down one of the most misunderstood areas in personal finance: life insurance. From Indexed Universal Life (IUL) policies to knowing when insurance is a tool and when it's a distraction, she shows how clarity of goals should drive every decision and how to avoid the traps that caught even high earners like the Buschs. The episode also touches on estate planning, scams to watch out for, how young adults should think about budgeting and debt, and how to evaluate whether paying off loans or investing is the better move for your situation. It connects the dots between time freedom, smart planning, and protecting what you're building. What You'll Learn: • How to design your finances around the life you want, not just the paycheck you earn • What "owning your time" really means and how to start moving in that direction • Why your financial plan should begin with values and priorities, not products • How to think about entrepreneurship without blowing up your financial stability • What the Kyle Busch insurance lawsuit reveals about life insurance products and sales tactics • The truth about Indexed Universal Life insurance and when it may or may not make sense • How to evaluate life insurance based on goals instead of sales pitches • How estate planning protects your family and your legacy • The pros and cons of paying off loans versus investing • Budgeting principles that help young adults build strong money habits early • How to recognize and avoid financial scams (including insurance product traps) • Why celebrating progress matters just as much as setting the next goal This Episode Is For You If: • You feel like your money controls your life instead of supporting it • You want more flexibility and time freedom but don't know how to fund it • You're confused about whether life insurance products are helping or just costing you (especially after hearing about the Busch lawsuit) • You're trying to figure out the right order of financial moves (debt vs investing, insurance vs saving) • You want your financial plan to reflect your actual values, not just what you're "supposed" to do This episode is about aligning your money with your life. If you're ready to stop reacting to your finances and start using them to build more freedom, flexibility, and confidence, this one belongs at the top of your queue. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/own-your-time-with-andy-hill-and-dana-anspach-1793 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Questions? Comments?In this post-Christmas edition of Talking Real Money, Don McDonald and Tom Cock dismantle one of the most seductive myths in personal finance: the promise of high returns, no risk, and tax-free income. Using the lawsuit filed by Kyle Busch against Pacific Life as a case study, they expose the dark mechanics of indexed universal life insurance—hidden commissions, opaque costs, fabricated indexes, and returns that quietly disappoint. The episode then pivots to listener questions on diversification mistakes, Roth vs. traditional 401(k)s, late-career pivots into financial advice, ETF selection for retirees, and why doing less with your portfolio almost always beats doing more.0:04 Post-Christmas welcome, Kyle Busch jokes, and why rich people get fleeced too1:18 Indexed Universal Life explained (and why it's not an investment)1:45 The “bank on yourself” fantasy and why it never dies2:27 $10.5 million in premiums and promises of $800K tax-free income3:20 Why IULs avoid SEC and FINRA scrutiny entirely4:21 The sixth premium notice that blew up the deal4:41 How IULs implode if you stop paying—and why everything can vanish5:52 “Tax-free income, high returns, no risk” exposed as marketing fiction6:01 Hidden commissions, alleged 35% payouts, and zero disclosure7:37 Proprietary indexes designed to benefit insurers, not investors8:50 Internal Pacific Life doc: “Don't call yourself a financial planner”9:57 Why consumers can't see costs, commissions, or real returns11:37 Real-world IUL returns: roughly 3–5% annually12:23 Why even Kyle Busch doesn't actually need life insurance13:44 Caveat emptor—and why “Life” in the firm name should trigger alarms14:03 Listener portfolio question: 60/15/25 isn't diversified14:53 The S&P 500 isn't “the market” (and seven stocks prove it)15:54 Simple global solutions vs. portfolio over-engineering17:11 Podcast tech humor and March seminar tease17:22 Listener praise—and teaching people how to find podcasts18:11 2026 seminar date confirmed: March 719:23 Career pivot at 53: CFP vs. AFC vs. Series 6522:02 Why fiduciary firms are hiring—and sales shops are traps23:22 ETF selection for retirees: growth, risk, and tax efficiency24:27 Why Morningstar confuses more than it helps25:07 Dimensional, Avantis, and keeping portfolios simple26:20 Final thoughts, free fiduciary consults, and year-end wrapLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this post-Christmas edition of Talking Real Money, Don McDonald and Tom Cock dismantle one of the most seductive myths in personal finance: the promise of high returns, no risk, and tax-free income. Using the lawsuit filed by Kyle Busch against Pacific Life as a case study, they expose the dark mechanics of indexed universal life insurance—hidden commissions, opaque costs, fabricated indexes, and returns that quietly disappoint. The episode then pivots to listener questions on diversification mistakes, Roth vs. traditional 401(k)s, late-career pivots into financial advice, ETF selection for retirees, and why doing less with your portfolio almost always beats doing more. 0:04 Post-Christmas welcome, Kyle Busch jokes, and why rich people get fleeced too 1:18 Indexed Universal Life explained (and why it's not an investment) 1:45 The “bank on yourself” fantasy and why it never dies 2:27 $10.5 million in premiums and promises of $800K tax-free income 3:20 Why IULs avoid SEC and FINRA scrutiny entirely 4:21 The sixth premium notice that blew up the deal 4:41 How IULs implode if you stop paying—and why everything can vanish 5:52 “Tax-free income, high returns, no risk” exposed as marketing fiction 6:01 Hidden commissions, alleged 35% payouts, and zero disclosure 7:37 Proprietary indexes designed to benefit insurers, not investors 8:50 Internal Pacific Life doc: “Don't call yourself a financial planner” 9:57 Why consumers can't see costs, commissions, or real returns 11:37 Real-world IUL returns: roughly 3–5% annually 12:23 Why even Kyle Busch doesn't actually need life insurance 13:44 Caveat emptor—and why “Life” in the firm name should trigger alarms 14:03 Listener portfolio question: 60/15/25 isn't diversified 14:53 The S&P 500 isn't “the market” (and seven stocks prove it) 15:54 Simple global solutions vs. portfolio over-engineering 17:11 Podcast tech humor and March seminar tease 17:22 Listener praise—and teaching people how to find podcasts 18:11 2026 seminar date confirmed: March 7 19:23 Career pivot at 53: CFP vs. AFC vs. Series 65 22:02 Why fiduciary firms are hiring—and sales shops are traps 23:22 ETF selection for retirees: growth, risk, and tax efficiency 24:27 Why Morningstar confuses more than it helps 25:07 Dimensional, Avantis, and keeping portfolios simple 26:20 Final thoughts, free fiduciary consults, and year-end wrap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul, Jim, and Evan bring up a lawsuit between NASCAR driver Kyle Busch and Pacific Life. Busch was sold a life insurance policy that would allow him to pull out $800,000/year after he turned 52. After many attempts to talk with his agent, it seems his money is gone. Listen along to hear why insurance products that claim to be “safe” are even too risky for someone who drives race cars professionally. Want to cut through the myths about retirement income and learn evidence-based strategies backed by over a century of data? Download our free Retirement Income Guide now at paulwinkler.com/relax and take the stress out of planning your retirement.

Kyle Busch is suing (and its a massive lawsuit!) over the performance of his Indexed Universal Life insurance policy that has killed his retirement plan. We go over the details of whats going on in this podcast episode. Is it the life insurance agents fault? Is it the Insurance Companies fault? What will this mean for other people who own this same kind of Insurance? This a lawsuit for the books! And has the potential to effect a lot of people! Listen and get all the details now.

Why the Indexed Universal Life lawsuit is a wake-up call The headlines about the Kyle Busch vs Pacific Life indexed universal life lawsuit sparked the same question I hear from thoughtful families: is my policy designed to serve me, or to serve a sales incentive? This isn't tabloid noise. It's a real-world reminder that choices around products, product design, and behavior determine outcomes. When insurance gets framed like an investment, confusion wins—and families pay for the confusion later. https://www.youtube.com/live/3aLnzmv2dlc Behind the headlines is a deeper issue many families face: when insurance starts getting pitched as an investment, people get hurt. This indexed universal life lawsuit isn't just celebrity drama. It's a cautionary tale about design choices, incentives, and behavior—three ingredients that make or break outcomes. Why the Indexed Universal Life lawsuit is a wake-up callWhy this Indexed Universal Life lawsuit matters to you1) What actually happened in the Kyle Busch vs Pacific Life case2) What Indexed Universal Life is designed to do (and why the moving parts matter)3) Why Indexed Universal Life is usually a poor fit for Infinite Banking4) The commission conversation: what really matters5) Red flags to spot in any IUL illustration6) The behavior factor: decisions drive outcomes7) Where IUL can make sense—and where it doesn't8) How to review your current policy or a proposal in 20 minutesWhat this Indexed Universal Life lawsuit teaches usListen to the full episode on the Indexed Universal Life lawsuitBook A Strategy CallFAQWhat is the Kyle Busch vs Pacific Life indexed universal life lawsuit about?Is an indexed universal life policy a good fit for Infinite Banking?Are whole life policies safer than IUL for building cash value?How do agent commissions affect IUL performance?What red flags should I look for in an IUL illustration?Can IUL still make sense for estate planning?What's the simplest way to protect myself before buying?Is life insurance an investment?What should I do if I already own an IUL? Why this Indexed Universal Life lawsuit matters to you Here's the premise: The Kyle Busch vs Pacific Life indexed universal life lawsuit is shining a bright light on how certain policy designs and sales incentives can set people up for disappointment. Our goal in this article is to unpack what happened at a practical level, explain why it happened, and give you a simple framework to evaluate your own policy or a policy you're considering. What you'll get: A clear understanding of indexed universal life (IUL) mechanics—caps, participation rates, floors, and charges Why IUL is often a poor fit for Infinite Banking, and where it can make sense How agent compensation and death benefit decisions impact performance The difference between marketing hype and durable guarantees A short checklist of questions to ask before you sign anything We'll speak plainly. We'll respect your intelligence. And we'll give you steps to protect your family and your capital. 1) What actually happened in the Kyle Busch vs Pacific Life case Bruce here. Based on the widely discussed analysis from respected product designer Bobby Samuelson, the policy at the center of this story was a complex indexed universal life contract. The pitch focused on future “income.” The design featured a very high death benefit, which increases internal charges and agent compensation. It also appears the early-year cash value was constrained by both high expenses and allocation choices, and that funding didn't match the schedule the clients initially expected. The result: heavy costs, lower-than-expected performance, and ultimately a policy lapse after substantial premiums were paid. Rachel again. Two principles jump out. First, when life insurance is positioned as an investment promising tax-free income, the conversation gets blurry fast. Second, the higher the initial death benefit, the higher the internal costs—especially for a client with added risk factors. Costs matter most in the early years. If they consume the lion's share of premiums, policy cash value will suffer, and a lapse risk can rise. Takeaway: A policy can look good on a spreadsheet and still be fragile in real life if the design incentives and assumptions don't align with your actual goals. 2) What Indexed Universal Life is designed to do (and why the moving parts matter) Bruce here. IUL ties crediting to an index such as the S&P 500 with caps and participation rates. You don't get the full index return. You get a portion, limited by the carrier's rules. You also don't take index losses; there's usually a 0% floor for crediting. But there's a critical nuance: while the index credit can't go below zero, charges—cost of insurance, policy expenses, riders—still come out. A zero-crediting year can still set you back if expenses outpace gains. That's why illustrations are tricky. They show a hypothetical average crediting rate over time. Real markets don't move in averages, and caps, participation rates, and expenses can change. If early-year charges are high, the policy needs time, consistent funding, and sufficiently strong credited returns to catch up. Rachel here. I love simplicity and transparency. That's why, for Infinite Banking, I prefer whole life. You get contractual guarantees on cash value and death benefit, plus the long history of dividends. Is it flashy? No. Is it dependable? Yes. 3) Why Indexed Universal Life is usually a poor fit for Infinite Banking The Infinite Banking Concept relies on stable, accessible cash value, simple mechanics, and predictable loan behavior. Here's where IUL struggles for banking use: Volatility in crediting. Caps and participation rates can shift. Policy loans can stress the design. Loan interest plus uneven crediting can turn small missteps into big problems. Moving parts multiply complexity. If you want banking simplicity, fewer moving parts beat more every time. Could IUL fit some estate-planning use cases? Sure, for certain objectives where the focus is death benefit and there's no plan to rely on policy loans or income. But for banking—using policy cash value as your family's capital base—whole life's guarantees create the clarity and control most people actually want. 4) The commission conversation: what really matters Bruce here. Let's talk compensation without the drama. In any life insurance policy, there are upfront costs. Over long horizons, those upfront costs spread out and matter less if the policy is designed and funded well. But design still matters a lot in the early years. A very high base death benefit can push up the target premium and the commission. It can also raise internal charges precisely when you need cash value efficiency. Rachel again. Ask this one question: How does this design minimize commissions and early-year drag while keeping the policy MEC-safe? In and IUL, like the one mentioned in the lawsuit, that means using a blend structure and, when appropriate, term riders like ART to support premium without bloating long-term costs. If an agent can't explain—in plain English—how they're minimizing commissions and internal drag, press pause. 5) Red flags to spot in any IUL illustration A few practical signals you can use immediately: The illustration calls life insurance an “investment” or implies market-like returns with no meaningful discussion of costs and moving parts. Year-1 cash value is tiny relative to premium with no clear rationale. The design amps the death benefit far above what's needed to keep the contract non-MEC, without using low-cost term blending when available. Income projections look aggressive while early-year charges eat most premiums. Allocations default to a fixed account for years while the pitch centers on index crediting. The plan depends on perfect behavior—no missed funding, no changes, no down years—for it to work. 6) The behavior factor: decisions drive outcomes Bruce here. Nelson Nash reminded us: your behavior matters more than the policy. If the plan assumes consistent premium funding, or specific timing for loan repayment, those behaviors must be realistic for your family. A design that only works in a perfect world isn't a plan; it's a hope. Rachel again. Behavior plus guarantees is where confidence grows. I want you to be able to look at your numbers, understand them, and know what to do next—especially when life happens. 7) Where IUL can make sense—and where it doesn't We're not absolutists. IUL can be used intentionally in estate planning when: The primary goal is death benefit, not banking or policy loans Funding is reliable and stress-tested You're comfortable with moving parts and the absence of whole life guarantees You've pressure-tested outcomes under lower caps and participation rates For Infinite Banking—where the priority is guaranteed, steadily compounding cash value with simple loan mechanics—whole life wins on clarity, control, and durability. 8) How to review your current policy or a proposal in 20 minutes Use this mini-checklist: Purpose: Is this for death benefit, banking, income, or estate planning? Guarantees: What's guaranteed vs projected? Look at guaranteed cash value and death benefit. Early cash value: What percentage of the premium shows as cash value in years 1–3? Does it make sense? MEC safety: How is MEC testing handled? Is an ART or blend used to control costs? Commission drag: How is the design minimizing commission and internal charges while meeting your goal? IUL Allocation: Where is the premium allocated in years 1–3? Fixed vs indexed? Why? IUL Stress tests: What happens if caps/participation rates fall or a funding year is missed? Loan modeling: If banking or income is the goal, are loan assumptions conservative and clearly explained?

Kyle Busch just sued Pacific Life Insurance for $8.58 million, claiming he was misled by an Indexed Universal Life (IUL) policy. But what if this high-profile case proves everything Infinite Banking practitioners have warned about for years?

Two-time NASCAR champion Kyle Busch just lost $8.5 million in an Indexed Universal Life policy after paying $10.5 million in premiums. This isn't just celebrity drama—it's a case study in why 90%+ of IULs collapse and why we'll never sell one. IULs try to be insurance, savings, and investment all in one product. The result? A policy full of moving parts, changing cap rates, rising mortality charges, and a "path of least resistance" that leads most people to stop funding properly. By your 70s, the annual insurance cost skyrockets while your cash value evaporates. The company transfers risk back to you—the opposite of what insurance should do. Whole life insurance has guaranteed increases, true downside protection, unlimited upside potential, and a 200+ year track record. Don't mix protection, savings, and growth into one product. Keep them separate. Think in years, measure in weeks. And whatever you do, don't "IUL" your financial future.Chapters: 00:00 - Opening segment 01:44 - Kyle Busch $8.5M IUL lawsuit introduced 03:51 - How did this happen? Bobby Samuelson article breakdown 05:43 - Agent structured policy to maximize his compensation 07:21 - Why celebrity cases expose industry-wide problems 09:19 - How IULs work: cap rates, floors, participation rates 13:07 - The mortality charge death spiral explained 14:32 - Real client story18:32 - Why policies collapse in your 70s and 80s 20:18 - Net amount at risk breakdown 22:11 - IULs transfer risk back to you (opposite of insurance) 22:54 - Protect, Save, Grow: Don't mix them 26:13 - Why IULs exist and why they fail 28:17 - Whole life dividends vs IUL flexibility traps 32:52 - Proper protection across all life areas 35:12 - Long-term thinking vs optimization traps 38:17 - Conservative approach to new growth strategies 40:12 - Don't "IUL" your trading or life insurance 42:30 - Closing segmentKey Takeaways:Kyle Busch lost $8.5M of $10.5M in premiums in an IUL—brings national attention to product failure ratesIULs have cap rates (max return), floors (usually 0%), and participation rates—but companies can change caps anytime90%+ of IULs collapse because of human behavior traps and rising mortality charges in later yearsIULs charge monthly mortality based on net amount at risk—when policy underperforms, charges increaseInsurance should transfer risk to the company—IULs transfer risk back to youWhole life has guaranteed increases every year, true downside protection, unlimited upside potential, and 200+ year track recordDon't mix protection, savings, and growth—keep them separate and intentionalThink in years, measure in weeks—stay conservative even when you find better strategiesOnly time to "buy term and invest the difference": when your only other option is an IULGot Questions? Reach out to us at info@remnantfinance.com or book a call at https://remnantfinance.com/calendar !Visit https://remnantfinance.com for more informationFOLLOW REMNANT FINANCEYoutube: @RemnantFinance (https://www.youtube.com/@RemnantFinance )Facebook: @remnantfinance (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560694316588 )Twitter: @remnantfinance (https://x.com/remnantfinance )TikTok: @RemnantFinanceDon't forget to hit LIKE and SUBSCRIBE

Kyle Busch just sued Pacific Life Insurance for $8.58 million, claiming he was misled by an Indexed Universal Life (IUL) policy. But what if this high-profile case proves everything Infinite Banking practitioners have warned about for years?

Host Erika speaks with Kayla Leatherwood of Leatherwood Finance about her innovative approach to financing real estate investments through indexed universal life insurance policies. Kayla shares her journey into real estate, the concept of being your own bank, and how she helps others achieve financial freedom. The conversation also touches on common misconceptions about financial products and the importance of educating consumers about their options. Kayla discusses her future plans for expanding her reach and the various ways she aims to help others in their financial journeys.   Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind:  Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply   Investor Machine Marketing Partnership:  Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true ‘white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com   Coaching with Mike Hambright:  Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike   Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a “mini-mastermind” with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming “Retreat”, either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas “Big H Ranch”? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat   Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform!  Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/   New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club   —--------------------

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss how modern life insurance can be more than a death benefit—it can be an all-in-one tool for retirement planning strategies, tax advantages of life insurance, and long-term care insurance. With guest expert Jim Bowman, they explain how well-structured cash value policies—especially Indexed Universal Life—can provide tax free retirement income, flexible access to cash, and an efficient way to leave a legacy to family or charity.Listen in to learn about the practical differences between term and cash value policies, how to design funding to avoid MEC rules, why many retirees use unneeded RMDs to create tax-efficient benefits, and how hybrid life insurance can accelerate a portion of the death benefit for qualifying long-term care needs. If you want a clear path to secure your retirement, plan for retirement, and keep a simple retirement checklist for retiring comfortably, this conversation is for you.In this episode, find out:· How to think about life insurance benefits beyond debt protection—legacy, liquidity, and LTC.· The mechanics of life insurance cash value and using policy loans for tax free retirement income.· Why life insurance and taxes can work in your favor when policies are designed to minimize insurance cost and maximize accumulation.· When to consider life insurance for retirement (including for business owners) and how to fund over 5–7 years to avoid MECs.· Using unwanted RMDs to fund life insurance for seniors or a hybrid life insurance policy with long term care insurance riders.Tweetable Quotes:· “Life insurance can be the Swiss Army knife of retirement—growth, tax efficiency, legacy, and long-term care in one plan.” — Radon Stancil· “Design the policy to minimize insurance cost and maximize cash value—then let it do the heavy lifting for tax-free income.” — Murs TariqThroughout the episode, we cover: Retirement Planning, retirement planning strategies, planning retirement with Indexed Universal Life, coordinating with a broader financial plan, and using a straightforward retirement checklist to align cash flow, taxes, and legacy goals—so you can secure your retirement.Resources:If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.

Have you ever heard someone say you can use an IUL for Infinite Banking? Maybe you've seen a slick video online, or a persuasive advisor with charts and projections that promise you higher returns, flexible premiums, and “upside potential.” It sounds convincing—especially when you compare the numbers on an illustration. Who wouldn't want more cash value and lower premiums? But here's the sobering reality: when it comes to Infinite Banking, an Indexed Universal Life policy (IUL) doesn't deliver what matters most. https://www.youtube.com/live/beR3FnHLAG4 And that's a big problem, because Infinite Banking is not about chasing the highest return—it's about creating a system of certainty and control. If you build your family's financial foundation on a shifting product with no guarantees, the consequences don't show up immediately—but when they do, they can devastate your future. I don't say this lightly. My co-host, Bruce Wehner, has seen it firsthand. For decades, he has worked with clients who were told their Universal Life or Variable Universal Life would “never fail.” And yet, over time, those policies collapsed under rising costs, vanishing crediting, or shifting assumptions. I'll weave some of his stories in throughout this article, because you deserve to see not just the theory, but the real-world results. Today, I want to give you clarity. I want to cut through the confusion and soundbites and show you exactly why IULs cannot serve as the foundation for Infinite Banking, and what you should do instead. What Infinite Banking Really Is (and Isn't)Can You Use IUL for Infinite Banking?Whole Life vs. IUL: The Key Differences1. Guarantees2. Premiums3. Cash Value Growth4. Loan Provisions5. EndowmentWhy Guarantees Matter for Infinite BankingCommon Misconceptions About IUL for Infinite Banking“IULs never lose money.”“IULs have more upside.”“IULs are more flexible.”Lessons from Real PeopleThe Bigger Picture: Stewardship and LegacyThe Answer to the IUL MythBook A Strategy CallFAQ: IUL for Infinite BankingCan you use IUL for Infinite Banking?Why does Infinite Banking require Whole Life insurance?Do IULs really offer more upside?What happens if I underfund an IUL?What's the safest way to start Infinite Banking? By the end of this article, you'll understand: Why Infinite Banking requires certainty, control, and guarantees. How Whole Life and IUL compare—and why IUL falls short. The most common misconceptions about IUL for Infinite Banking. Real lessons from history and clients who have lived through these products. How to take the next step if you're serious about building your own banking system. Let's dive in. What Infinite Banking Really Is (and Isn't) When people first hear about Infinite Banking, they often confuse it with “just buying life insurance.” Here's the truth: Infinite Banking is not about the product. It's about the process. At its heart, Infinite Banking is about taking control of your cash flows—those dollars that normally flow out of your life to banks, credit card companies, finance companies, and investment firms—and capturing them inside your own financial system. It's about becoming your own banker. And that requires certainty. Infinite Banking utilizing life insurance only works if you can rely on three things: Guaranteed cash value growth – You need to know your pool of capital will increase every single year, no matter what. Guaranteed level premiums – You need to know exactly what you'll owe, so you can plan and build discipline. Guaranteed death benefit – You need the confidence that your legacy will be secure for your family, no matter what happens. If any of those guarantees are missing, you're not in control. You're gambling. This is why Whole Life insurance from a mutual company has always been the proper tool for Infinite Banking. And it's also why IUL fails the test. Can You Use IUL for Infinite Banking?

For many people, an approach that incorporates whole life insurance has become part of their broader retirement strategy. Is that a good way to go? That's what David McKnight addresses in this episode. While Whole Life has some legitimate applications, especially for people who are risk-averse and are looking for guaranteed steady accumulation, there's an option that does the job more effectively: Indexed Universal Life (IUL). David touches upon why you may want to opt for IUL instead of Whole Life, including the fact that, with IUL, you can access your cash value in retirement without having to pay loan interest.  That gives you more flexibility and more efficiency when using IUL as a source of income. David compares Whole Life and Indexed Universal Life. If your goal is to shield your retirement portfolio from market downturns, then Whole Life is like taking the scenic route: You'll get there. but it will cost you more time, fuel, and money. IUL, by contrast, is like taking the express lane: Same destination, just faster, cheaper, and more efficient. “If efficiency matters to you, and you're trying to increase the likelihood that your money will last as long as you do, then Indexed Universal Life is the superior alternative”, says David. David goes over what happens when you borrow money from your Whole Life policy vs. from your IUL.  It's good to know that some IUL policies have wash loans or zero-cost loans that make accessing your money more predictable and sustainable. David believes that, when it comes to retirement income and the volatility buffer concept, the IUL is more efficient and effective, as it gives you higher growth potential and more favorable loan features.     Mentioned in this episode: David's national bestselling book: The Guru Gap: How America's Financial Gurus Are Leading You Astray, and How to Get Back on Track DavidMcKnight.com DavidMcKnightBooks.com PowerOfZero.com (free video series) @mcknightandco on Twitter  @davidcmcknight on Instagram David McKnight on YouTube Get David's Tax-free Tool Kit at taxfreetoolkit.com

Join us for this week's product call as Roberto Silva from American Amicable introduces their brand-new Indexed Universal Life product, Intelligent Choice. Built with flexibility, protection, and growth in mind, Intelligent Choice is designed to deliver real solutions for your clients' needs today and tomorrow. Here's what you'll learn on the call: ✅ Flexible Premiums to fit a wide range of needs ✅ Two Death Benefit Options: Level or Increasing ✅ Market-Linked Growth tied to the S&P 500® with downside protection ✅ Living Benefit Riders included at no cost ✅ 20-Year No Lapse Guarantee for peace of mind ✅ Simplified Issue with instant underwriting decisions Be there this Thursday to see how Intelligent Choice can change the way you serve your clients and grow your business.

Think your 401(k) has you covered? Think again. Most physicians are unknowingly on track to retire with half the income they expected, and it's not because they didn't save. It's because they didn't plan with strategy. In this powerful episode, Dr. Felecia Froe brings back financial educators Sanja Noble and Asa Patterson to pull back the curtain on what retirement looks like for high earners and how you can shift from paycheck dependence to financial freedom. If you're ready to stop hoping and start building a future that gives you freedom, not limits, press play now. Your financial breakthrough begins with what you learn in this episode. 00:00 – Why the podcast rebranded (again) + Meet Sanja and Asa 04:00 – Why most people don't learn real wealth strategies 08:10 – What is Premier 72 and how the Rule of 72 works 12:10 – How banks use your deposits to generate wealth for themselves 15:50 – Jim Harbaugh's million-dollar life insurance salary strategy 19:45 – Term, Whole, and Indexed Universal Life insurance: What to know 25:55 – Why most physicians retire on 50% of their income, and how to avoid it 32:00 – What the Exit Fit Score reveals about your retirement readiness   Connect with Sanja & Asa! Instagram:  @premier.72 LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/premier72/ Website:  www.premier72.com

Think your 401(k) has you covered? Think again. Most physicians are unknowingly on track to retire with half the income they expected, and it's not because they didn't save. It's because they didn't plan with strategy. In this powerful episode, Dr. Felecia Froe brings back financial educators Sanja Noble and Asa Patterson to pull back the curtain on what retirement looks like for high earners and how you can shift from paycheck dependence to financial freedom. If you're ready to stop hoping and start building a future that gives you freedom, not limits, press play now. Your financial breakthrough begins with what you learn in this episode. 00:00 – Why the podcast rebranded (again) + Meet Sanja and Asa 04:00 – Why most people don't learn real wealth strategies 08:10 – What is Premier 72 and how the Rule of 72 works 12:10 – How banks use your deposits to generate wealth for themselves 15:50 – Jim Harbaugh's million-dollar life insurance salary strategy 19:45 – Term, Whole, and Indexed Universal Life insurance: What to know 25:55 – Why most physicians retire on 50% of their income, and how to avoid it 32:00 – What the Exit Fit Score reveals about your retirement readiness   Connect with Sanja & Asa! Instagram:  @premier.72 LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/premier72/ Website:  www.premier72.com

In this episode of the Power of Zero Show, David McKnight looks at headlines, such as those from Vanguard, BlackRock or Morningstar, that have predicted a dismal forecast for stock market returns over the next decade. Since such articles predict 4-5% annual growth for the next decade, many investors are pondering whether they should take some chips off the table. Back in 2015, those same institutions and companies stressed that valuations were too high and that, since the markets had a great run, it couldn't possibly continue anymore. Vanguard forecasted 4-6% returns, BlackRock predicted 4.5-5% returns, while Research Affiliates predicted an anemic 1.5-2% returns. However, from 2015 through 2024, the S&P 500 posted a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of roughly 11.9% - proving those predictions wrong! In fact, such forecasts by stock market research institutions turned out to be off by 5-6%.  David believes that financial institutions making failed predictions about the future of the stock market isn't just the exception, it's the rule. In the 2015-2024 timespan, we had a global pandemic that shut down entire economies, interest rates fell to zero, then spiked in record time, massive government stimulus, a tech boom, a crypto craze, and the rise of AI. - How many of those events could have been predicted in 2015? David doesn't recommend putting too much stock in long-term market forecasts by large financial institutions because, even if they might be well-researched, they're still guesses. For David, you shouldn't let fear drive your investment behavior. Not only should you stay invested over the next 10 years, but you should focus on investing inside tax-free accounts. Think about a balanced, comprehensive tax-fee approach that takes advantage of every nook and cranny in the IRS tax code.  David refers to tools such as Roth IRAs, Roth 401(k)s, and some properly structured cash value life insurance policies like Indexed Universal Life. What drives long-term stock market returns? “It isn't predictions, emotions, or headlines, it's innovation and productivity. If you look around, you can see that those things are accelerating, not slowing down,” says David.     Mentioned in this episode: David's national bestselling book: The Guru Gap: How America's Financial Gurus Are Leading You Astray, and How to Get Back on Track DavidMcKnight.com DavidMcKnightBooks.com PowerOfZero.com (free video series) @mcknightandco on Twitter  @davidcmcknight on Instagram David McKnight on YouTube Get David's Tax-free Tool Kit at taxfreetoolkit.com Vanguard BlackRock Morningstar Research Affiliates S&P 500 Warren Buffett

These policies offer benefits where the policyholder can use benefits while living. Plus, the IUL is an excellent financial and tax planning strategy.

Ernst & Young recently came out with a new updated study, which is likely to scandalize mainstream financial experts like they did with their 2021 study. Back then, they asked the question, “Is the stock market-only retirement approach really the strategy that gives you the highest levels of income and the best outcomes over a 30-year retirement?” In their new study, on the other hand, they substituted Indexed Universal Life for Whole Life, and Fixed Index Annuities for Deferred Income Annuities – a move that led to unexpected and spectacular results.  Host David McKnight explains that by going beyond the investment-only playbook and by integrating tools like Whole Life and Deferred Income Annuities into your retirement strategy, you get higher levels of income and a higher likelihood of your money lasting through life expectancy and beyond. For years, Indexed Universal Life and Fixed Index Annuities have been misrepresented by many (inexperienced) insurance agents, have been vilified by media personalities using a “one-size-fits-all” approach, and have been ignored by investment-only advisors. In the latest iteration of their study, Ernst & Young ran three case studies: one featuring a 35-year-old couple just starting their financial journey, one involving a 45-year-old couple, and the last one looking at a 65-year-old couple on the doorstep of retirement. David asks why, if the E&Y case studies show that IULs and FIAs can dramatically improve income levels and the likelihood of money lasting through life expectancy and wealth to heirs, they have been so frequently demonized? David touches upon three distinct reasons why he believes the critiques occur. “Together, the IUL and FIA act as the stabilizers on your retirement journey,” says David. Utilized in conjunction with your investment portfolio, IUL and FIA increase your income, the likelihood your money lasts through life expectancy, and they increase the money that gets passed on to your heirs. For David, data proves that cash value life insurance and annuities work whether you're just getting started or are stepping into retirement.     Mentioned in this episode: David's national bestselling book: The Guru Gap: How America's Financial Gurus Are Leading You Astray, and How to Get Back on Track DavidMcKnight.com DavidMcKnightBooks.com PowerOfZero.com (free video series) @mcknightandco on Twitter  @davidcmcknight on Instagram David McKnight on YouTube Get David's Tax-free Tool Kit at taxfreetoolkit.com Ernst & Young Dave Ramsey Suze Orman S&P 500

David McKnight addresses Doug Andrew's recommendation of turning your IRA into an IUL. David agrees with some of Andrew's views, including his objection to rolling a 401(k) into an IRA, and then leaving it there until you die. Given the exploding national debt, most experts predict that taxes 10 years from now will have to rise dramatically to keep the U.S. solvent… Doug Andrew lists Indexed Universal Life as his “favorite financial vehicle because of liquidity, safety, predictable rates of return, and tax-free growth”. David is skeptical of advice that denigrates every tax-free alternative within the IRS tax code in an attempt to glorify the IUL – which happens to be the product Andrew sells. While David recognizes some admirable qualities that are unique to IUL (and that no other financial tool has), he doesn't recommend having an IUL as the only prong in your tax-free strategy. David's preference is for you to opt for an approach that takes advantage of every tax-free nook and cranny within the IRS tax code. Many gurus are “married” to and recommend only one strategy. David, on the other hand, prefers “multiple streams of tax-free income, none of which show up on the IRS' radar, that contribute to you being in the 0% tax bracket.” David lists the unique qualities of financial tools such as Roth IRAs, Roth 401(k)s, Roth Conversions, and IULs. If you're someone who's looking for advice, David recommends being careful whenever someone recommends you liquidate a retirement account you've been saving into your entire life and move it wholesale into an IUL! Your ideal goal should be to have multiple tax-free income streams that will land you in or near the 0% tax bracket in retirement. Why is that so important? Because even if tax rates were to double, two times zero is still ZERO.     Mentioned in this episode: David's national bestselling book: The Guru Gap: How America's Financial Gurus Are Leading You Astray, and How to Get Back on Track DavidMcKnight.com DavidMcKnightBooks.com PowerOfZero.com (free video series) @mcknightandco on Twitter  @davidcmcknight on Instagram David McKnight on YouTube Get David's Tax-free Tool Kit at taxfreetoolkit.com Doug Andrew

In this episode, Crystal Bustillos from The Brokerage Inc. dives into the critical role life insurance plays in achieving financial independence and long-term security. She explains how life insurance not only provides peace of mind by covering funeral costs and lost income, but also offers living benefits through permanent policies like Whole Life or Indexed Universal Life. These policies can build cash value—a flexible financial tool that can be used for emergencies, retirement income, or other major life expenses. Mike Papuc also shares details about an upcoming ACA agent training in Corpus Christi on July 10, encouraging agents to stay engaged and continue learning. She wraps by reminding agents to take full advantage of the resources offered by The Brokerage Inc., including past webinars, training materials, and marketing tools to better serve their clients and grow their business. Learn more about partnering with The Brokerage Inc. by visiting our website, www.thebrokerageinc.com. Remember to like, share, and subscribe to our show!  New episodes are available every Tuesday. Join our Community! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-brokerage-inc-/   Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/thebrokerageinc/  Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thebrokerageinc/  YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@TheBrokerageIncTexas  Website:  https://thebrokerageinc.com/ 

In this episode of The Power of Zero Show, host David McKnight looks at Doug Andrew's recent video in which he implored his audience to never use a Roth IRA or a Roth 401(k) again. Andrew sees Indexed Universal Life insurance (IUL) as far superior and believes it should be the source of the vast majority of your distributions in retirement. While David likes IUL in certain circumstances, he isn't a fan of sales strategies that debase every other viable tax-free alternative in an effort to exalt IULs. For David, the video is riffed with errors, exaggerations and omissions. Moreover, Andrew's video appears to have an obvious pre-commitment to persuading you to reposition the lion's share of your retirement savings into an IUL. In the video, Doug Andrew's liking for IUL as the top investment vehicle is evident. At the beginning of his video, Andrew says that he will explain why the IUL is far superior to the Roth IRA. David believes that the choice should never be between a Roth IRA and an IUL or between a Roth 401(k) and an IUL. Remember: your tax-free strategy can incorporate as many as SIX DIFFERENT STREAMS of tax-free income, not just the IUL… And every one of these tax-free income strategies has unique qualities that set them apart from all the others. Don't forget about what your #1 goal should be: to take advantage of every tax-free nook and cranny in the IRS tax code. David lists the qualities that tools such as Roth IRAs, Roth 401(k)s and Roth conversions have and that IULs do not have. One of the unique things about IULs is that they give you a death benefit that doubles as long-term care and helps grow your money safely and productively. David touches upon what he considers “wild claims” featured in Doug Andrew's video. An example of inaccurate or untrue information shared by Andrew is that the IUL's expenses will be paid out of the money that would have otherwise gone to pay a tax… which is wrong! Contributions to Roth IRAs and IULs are both made with after-tax dollars. “If anyone ever debases a Roth IRA or a Roth 401(k) in an attempt to sell you an IUL, you should run – not walk – the other way,” concludes David.   Mentioned in this episode: David's national bestselling book: The Guru Gap: How America's Financial Gurus Are Leading You Astray, and How to Get Back on Track DavidMcKnight.com DavidMcKnightBooks.com PowerOfZero.com (free video series) @mcknightandco on Twitter  @davidcmcknight on Instagram David McKnight on YouTube Get David's Tax-free Tool Kit at taxfreetoolkit.com Doug Andrew Doug's video - Why You Should Never Use a Roth IRA Again (6 Reasons Why)

Wonder 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 that prevents you from having to recover losses before moving forward. This reset magic means your policy can take advantage of market rebounds without dragging the baggage of previous declines. You'll understand why this makes IUL especially valuable for retirement income strategies. We explore how IUL has evolved beyond simple caps and floors to offer more sophisticated options including lock features and alternative indices. Discover how these innovations help weather financial storms and why, despite not outperforming the market during bull runs, IUL provides an important hedge against bad conditions in your overall retirement portfolio. _________________________ Ready to explore how IUL can strengthen your retirement strategy? Contact us today to learn if this approach aligns with your financial goals. We'll help you understand the benefits of adding IUL to your portfolio and show you how it can provide stability when markets get turbulent.

Send us a textOn this episode of The Get Ready Money Podcast, I was joined by Luke Rother, the Managing Partner at Yetworth Collaborative to talk about busting the top 10 life insurance myths and what advisors need to know.Here are the myths we busted: Life insurance is only for people who are working/ people who have kids.Life insurance is too expensive.I have health issues, so I can't get life insurance.Group life insurance takes care of life insurance needs.Always buy term, never buy permanent insurance.Life insurance policies are set it and forget it. You don't need to review them.Life insurance is an investment (nope, it's insurance with an investment component)You can be your own banker.Indexed Universal Life policies are a ‘scam'.Fee based products (no-load policies) are always better options than commission based products.Luke Rother, CLU, CEPA is a life insurance specialist that has a passion for collaborating with trusted advisors to develop and implement risk protection related strategies to enhance the value that advisors bring their clients.  He entered financial services after working in the nonprofit sector following in the footsteps of his father, Randy, who has been a life insurance specialist for over 40 years. After working with a large insurance carrier, and working with his Dad, Luke decided to join the Yetworth team to expand his product expertise and to launch a dream business that caters to fee-only advisors.Connect with Luke Rother, CLU, CEPA:LinkedIn (here) Yetworth website: (here)Support the showThe Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

We specialize in the following financial products:        1. Your Personal Bank: High Cash Value - Whole and Indexed Universal Life insurance policies      2. Fixed and Index Annuities: grow your money without market risk, access to over 50 companies      3. Guaranteed Lifetime Income: create income you cannot outlive, often referred to as a private pension      4. Life Settlements: companies will buy your insurance policy, shop the best offers      5. Premium Finance: bank fund premium on a high cash value insurance policy on your behalf, can create tax-free asset without out-of-pocket cost     Many financial experts are calling this the "golden age" of fixed investments.   Even if the Trump administration does everything right, some problems will take a while to fix. Debt is a major challenge.   Record levels of debt requires record selling of bonds. This pushes bond interest rates higher.  Until the government starts paying down debt, bond interest rates will remain elevated.   When bond yields (interest) increase, institutional investors tend to move out of the stock market and into the bond market.   Many institutional investors like banks, insurance companies, and pension funds are focused on obtaining steady consistent cash flow to pay their liabilities rather than accumulation. These large institutional investors have the ability to move markets.   Blackrock, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, and Vanguard analysts all predict S&P 500 index returns will average 3-5% annually for the next decade. If the analysts are correct, Your Personal Bank dividends, annuities, and guaranteed lifetime income will all outperform the S&P 500 over the next decade without market risk and tax-favored

Today's episode addresses how to create multiple tax-free income streams that don't show up on the IRS's radar and that contribute to you being in the 0% tax bracket in retirement. Having some money in a tax-deferred account, like an IRA or 401k, is the first way high-income earners can create tax-free wealth for retirement. Contributing to your Roth 401k or Roth 403b, as well as leveraging a backdoor Roth, are a couple of additional ways to build tax-free wealth in retirement. David touches upon what CPA and retirement expert Ed Slott calls “the single greatest tax benefit in the IRS tax code.” David makes a comparison between Indexed Universal Life vs. a taxable brokerage account. David believes that “the higher your tax bracket, the more it makes sense to reposition surplus savings from your taxable account to indexed universal life.”     Mentioned in this episode: David's upcoming book: The Guru Gap: How America's Financial Gurus Are Leading You Astray, and How to Get Back on Track David's books: Power of Zero, Look Before You LIRP, The Volatility Shield, Tax-Free Income for Life and The Infinity Code DavidMcKnight.com DavidMcKnightBooks.com PowerOfZero.com (free 3-part video series) @mcknightandco on Twitter  @davidcmcknight on Instagram David McKnight on YouTube Get David's Tax-free Tool Kit at taxfreetoolkit.com Ed Slott

In this episode we answer emails from Phil, MyContactInfo, and Eric.  We discuss implementing factor investing and making portfolio adjustments in a risk-parity style portfolio, HECOMs and other considerations about reverse mortgages and buffered products, the fundamental problems with IUL that need to be accounted for before using it, and just how rich you probably need to be to be using insurance products as investments.  Hint:  You are not that rich.Links:Swedroe Factor Investing Book:  Your Complete Guide to Factor-Based Investing: The Way Smart Money Invests Today by Andrew L. Berkin | GoodreadsLong View Podcast About HECOMs:  Don Graves and Wade Pfau: How - The Long View - Apple PodcastsAndy Panko Cautionary Video About IUL:  Beware of misleading Indexed Universal Life insurance ("IUL") illustrations (youtube.com)Andy Panko IUL Critique On Big Picture Retirement Podcast:  Unmasking the IUL Sales Pitch with Andy Panko (bigpictureretirement.com)Private Placement Life Insurance:  How Does Private Placement Life Insurance Work? - ValuePenguinAmusing Unedited AI-Bot Summary:Is your portfolio prepared for the next economic downturn? Join us on this episode of Risk Parity Radio as we tackle an intriguing email from Phil, a listener from Portugal contemplating a major portfolio overhaul. We dig deep into the nuances of factor investing, particularly momentum and profitability factors, and offer critical advice on the potential risks of reducing bond allocations in favor of equities. We emphasize the importance of leveraging financial analysis tools like Portfolio Charts and Portfolio Visualizer to make informed decisions, and stress the need for a balanced approach throughout both the accumulation and decumulation phases of investing.We also navigate the labyrinth of investment strategies and financial products, evaluating the pros and cons of dollar-cost averaging amidst market volatility, and scrutinize costly options like Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) and Indexed Universal Life (IUL) insurance products. Highlighting the potential pitfalls of these profit-driven offerings, we advocate for well-diversified portfolios as the cornerstone of robust financial planning. Tune in to discover practical tips on managing taxable accounts, avoiding misleading insurance products, and achieving optimal portfolio performance, all while staying grounded in sound financial principles.Support the Show.

In this episode, I go head-to-head with Chris Kirkpatrick from LIFE180 to talk about one of the hottest topics in the insurance industry: Whole Life Insurance vs. Indexed Universal Life (IUL). Chris, with his extensive industry background, passionately argues why agents should rethink their approach to selling IULs and why he believes whole life insurance is typically the superior choice. Follow Chris on his Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LIFE180 #insurance #wholelifeinsurance #indexeduniversallife

Show host Arturo Johnson shares his experience with coming across David's content – and how it has changed his perspective. David mentions a study that illustrates the benefits of putting 70% – and not 100% – of your retirement savings into a Roth 401k and the balance into cash value life insurance. Dave Ramsey is famous for stirring up a hornet's nest among CFPs all across the U.S. David unpacks a shortcoming with one of Ramsey's principles. David goes over what can happen when you utilize life insurance as a volatility shield/buffer. The only way to get an 8% distribution rate in retirement is by utilizing a financial tool that Dave Ramsey says is a hot pile of garbage: cash value life insurance. The reason why David likes IUL is because history shows that you can get five to seven percent net of fees over time in your IUL. David talks about something he dislikes in Ramsey's views on IUL and that many “gurus” such as Suze Orman, Clark Howard, and Ramit Sethi say it's a scam. “The IUL is not a stock market replacement, it's a bond alternative,” says David.   Mentioned in this episode: David's books: Power of Zero, Look Before You LIRP, The Volatility Shield, Tax-Free Income for Life and The Infinity Code DavidMcKnight.com DavidMcKnightBooks.com PowerOfZero.com (free 3-part video series) @mcknightandco on Twitter  @davidcmcknight on Instagram David McKnight on YouTube Get David's Tax-free Tool Kit at taxfreetoolkit.com Arturo Johnson Dave Ramsey Suze Orman Clark Howard Ramit Sethi George Kamel Tom Hegna

Myths, Mysteries & Misconceptions #14: Infinite Banking & Indexed Universal Life Them: “You can use IUL for Infinite Banking” Me: “Didn't Nelson (the author/discoverer of the IBC) say that he didn't own any or write any Universal Life Insurance?” Them: “Who's Nelson?”, “Yeah, but…”, “IUL is different…”, etc In this episode Jdew, one of The Banking Bros, and I discuss Indexed Universal Life, Whole Life Insurance and Infinite Banking. IULs are NOT Infinite Banking. Whole Life is NOT Infinite Banking; it is just the ideal entity to create for becoming your own banker. There's more to this misleading statement than at “face value” (pun intended;) LIVE & LEAVE A LASTING LEGACY If you have any topics you'd like to see covered, if you have any questions concerning this video or another or if you would like to request a webinar meeting to personally discuss how you can practice the Infinite Banking Concept as described in R. Nelson Nash's book Becoming Your Own Banker, please contact us at: www.durhamtalents.com LIVE & LEAVE A LASTING LEGACY All content on this channel is for informational purposes only. Please contact your own Attorney, Financial Planner, Tax Consultant, or other appropriate professional as necessary.

Are you curious about the actual performance of an Indexed Universal Life (IUL) policy? In this episode, we dive into the details of an IUL policy put in force 9 years ago and address the common arguments against IUL. You'll learn about the static interest rate assumptions used in IUL illustrations, the concerns about cap rates, and how this policy has performed over time. Despite the assumption of a 6.3% static index credit at inception and the cap rate falling from 12% to as low as 7.5%, the policy has exceeded its original projection of $183,119, with an actual cash value balance of $198,960 to date. We'll discuss the average applicable cap rate for the life of the policy, the average index credit since inception, and the frequency of the index capping out. You'll also discover the guaranteed bonus the policy will receive starting after the next policy year and how it compares to the performance of whole life policies issued simultaneously. We'll explore the potential for the policy to continue outperforming its original projections and the options available to the policyholder now that the policy is nearly out of surrender. Tune in to learn more about the actual performance of an IUL policy and gain valuable insights into this often-debated topic. ________________________ If any of this sounds interesting and you're curious about how a policy like this might work for you, please click right here to get in touch with us. We welcome the opportunity to have a brief chat. 

This episode addresses whether the mainstream financial planning community is justified in avoiding Indexed Universal Life. Lately, social media has been filled with videos praising the virtues of a financial tool known as Indexed Universal Life (IUL). David explains why the IUL has been taking such a beating from traditional financial planners. David discusses three different viewpoints against the IUL – including that of scammy salesmen on TikTok who often describe the IUL as “a stock market replacement on steroids.” Financial gurus tend to be jack of all trades but masters of none with IUL critiques that are either plain wrong or far too simplistic, says David. As a result of these groups' cumulative efforts, IUL is widely viewed as a caricature of a financial product. David goes over how to objectively evaluate IUL on its merits and shares three of its positive utilizations as a dynamic financial tool.     Mentioned in this episode: David's books: Power of Zero, Look Before You LIRP, The Volatility Shield, Tax-Free Income for Life and The Infinity Code DavidMcKnight.com DavidMcKnightBooks.com PowerOfZero.com (free 3-part video series) @mcknightandco on Twitter  @davidcmcknight on Instagram David McKnight on YouTube Get David's Tax-free Tool Kit at taxfreetoolkit.com Suze Orman Dave Ramsey George Kamel Ernst & Young

George Kamel recently released a video on index universal life. On the surface, it looks like a ruthless exposé of a financial scam that millions of Americans are falling for.  But when you scratch just below the surface, his critique of IUL is a steaming cesspool of half-truths and outright lies that are designed to sell you a term insurance policy through a Dave Ramsey-sponsored term insurance broker. According to Kamel, the IUL is a financial scam marketed as a secret wealth hack, yet in reality, it's a money-eating monster. Yes, IULs are marketed by pretty scammy people on social media. However, there is a big difference between scammy life insurance agents and scammy life insurance products. IUL products are not created equal. It all depends on your personal situation and needs. Some products can be fantastic tools for building and protecting wealth and others can be catastrophic to your retirement.  For David, not only does the IUL serve as an extremely competitive bond alternative, but it's also a great volatility buffer in retirement. Financial gurus are not in the business of nuance. It's all about making sweeping black-and-white characterizations that fit neatly into their tiny box. According to David, recent studies demonstrate that bonds are much more volatile and much more correlated to the stock market than was previously thought. David explains that fees are only a problem in the absence of value. And when utilized in the right context, an IUL provides value that you simply can't get any other way. David explains how the IUL fees are a strength and not a liability that the uninformed life insurance critics make it out to be.  When George says that the IUL is a money-eating monster, he's only fixating on the fees in the early years of the contract. If he were to look at the average fees over the life of the program, a much different picture would emerge--one that paints the IUL as lower than the most cost-effective 401K plan.  David goes through the things George gets wrong about the death benefit options in an IUL.  The entire purpose of George's video is not to educate you on the evils of an IUL. It's to get you to buy a term life insurance policy through Dave Ramsey's endorsed broker of choice.  George's ultimate goal is to get you to take the money that you might otherwise have allocated towards an index universal life policy and redirect it towards a term insurance policy from which Ramsey himself ultimately benefits.      Mentioned in this episode: David's books: Power of Zero, Look Before You LIRP, The Volatility Shield, Tax-Free Income for Life and The Infinity Code DavidMcKnight.com DavidMcKnightBooks.com PowerOfZero.com (free 3-part video series) @mcknightandco on Twitter  @davidcmcknight on Instagram David McKnight on YouTube Get David's Tax-free Tool Kit at taxfreetoolkit.com

IUL or whole life insurance? Which will make you rich? Newsflash, neither alone are going to make you a millionaire, but one is a better tool to accelerate your wealth creation journey.  Listen now to hear the pros and cons of both life insurance products. Want to talk about opening a policy for yourself? Book a call with our insurance team: https://bit.ly/3OQ6KQo

Join us for an empowering episode with tax expert Elizabeth, as we dive into effective tax strategies and wealth growth. Elizabeth shares her expertise on maximizing savings, planning for a bright financial future, and adapting to legislative changes. We'll explore the game-changing benefits of cost segregation studies in real estate and innovative retirement strategies, positioning you as a key player in investment.Discover how to leverage cash value life insurance policies for a tax-advantaged financial stronghold, and compare the stability of Indexed Universal Life insurance against market-based policies. This episode is for the forward-thinking entrepreneur seeking to navigate the financial landscape with confidence and aim for a tax-free 2024.Ready to transform your financial journey? Connect with Elizabeth at 312.933.7757 If you are interested in our services or know anyone who can join the team, go email info@markperlbergcpa.com.

Hoy en día, expertos en finanzas personales, ¡sobran! Es impresionante como TODOS tienen una opinión, TODOS saben de economía, de finanzas y hasta los secretos más escondidos de los bancos internacionales.  En este episodio hablamos de lo que somos y de lo que hacemos, especialistas en seguro de vida. Tratando de desmitificar todas las supuestas creencias del IUL, INDEXED UNIVERSAL LIFE, en este episodio hablamos de cómo este vehículo financiero basado en dos cosas super importantes, su estructura y su fondeo pueden ser tu mejor aliado en cuanto a una planeación financiera inteligente.  Esperamos que este episodio sea de tu agrado, escuchalo hasta el final y comparte. #curimanospodcast

Paul suffered a stroke at 48. He's on disability and feeling lost. How does he figure out what's next? Should Ashley's aging parents spend a third of their retirement savings on a house? Margaret is wondering if she could use her 401k for a down payment and save on her taxes. An anonymous caller is concerned she won't have enough access to cash if she retires at 50. Is an Indexed Universal Life policy the right solution? Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these four questions in today's episode. Enjoy! P.S. Got a question? Leave it here. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode446 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The power of insurance should never be underestimated. But how about we dig deeper into what insurances do and realign them with your financial goals?Today's episode is about Indexed Universal Life insurance. We talk about how it can be a good investment while serving as your life insurance. We'll also discuss how to understand policies so you can strategize investing for it. We'll also debunk insurance misconceptions so you can utilize it according to your financial intentions and outcomes.Make your goal specifically yours. Reclaim your power to strive for life. Tune in now! Key Points:[2:10] #1 IUL is your life's investment! [13:24] #2 Find the best reason to opt for IUL[14:25] #3 Align your financial goals with the right insuranceIf you loved this episode, you have to listen to these episodes as well: >> The Value of a Financial Advisor >> Planning Your Life & Finances - a 2022 Mash Up>> Own Your Home and Grow Your Mental WealthI'm sure you're getting tons of value from the podcast! Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/3jN77Mv), Spotify (https://spoti.fi/3jParH0), Google Podcasts (https://bit.ly/3n3i8vb), or on your favorite podcast app and SHARE THIS

David starts the conversation by describing why it makes sense to have indexed universal life insurance.  Did you know that any taxes you pay in your taxable brackets are, ironically enough, optional? David reveals that the ideal amount of money you should have in your taxable bracket is six months of living expenses. Once you've maxed out your IRA, David believes an IUL becomes a great avenue to reposition surplus money into a tax-free investment bucket. David explains that IULs are great because they have no income limitations and no contribution limits.  According to David, IULs don't require you to take market risks, so they can serve as a suitable bond alternative with lower risks and higher returns over time. If you're married and over age 60, an IUL makes it possible to get your death benefit in advance of your death for the purpose of long-term care.  David highlights the 3 main reasons people hate traditional long-term care insurance: It's getting more and more expensive with time. It's hard to qualify. Something like a bad back can mean you never get accepted. If you pay and die peacefully in your bed, the benefits pay for somebody else's care.  Mentioned in this episode: David's books: Power of Zero, Look Before Your LIRP, The Volatility Shield, Tax-Free Income for Life and The Infinity Code DavidMcKnight.com PowerOfZero.com (free video series) @mcknightandco on Twitter  @davidcmcknight on Instagram David McKnight on YouTube Get David's Tax-free Tool Kit at taxfreetoolkit.com

David starts the conversation by describing the three most important things you should look for in an IUL. All good IULs are sponsored by financially stable insurance companies - but not all financially stable insurance companies offer good IULs.  David talks about the four main companies that rank life insurance companies.  David explains what a Comdex ranking is and why you should consider it when choosing a life insurance carrier.  According to David, the 5 essential attributes of a good IUL are: A guaranteed zero percent loan provision. Interest in areas. Conducts a daily sweep. Has an Overloan Protection rider. Availability of a chronic illness rider.  David goes through the three things to look out for when looking for an IUL advisor.  If an IUL advisor claims that your IUL can beat the stock market or cannot lose money, run for your life.      Mentioned in this episode: David's books: Power of Zero, Look Before Your LIRP, The Volatility Shield, Tax-Free Income for Life and The Infinity Code DavidMcKnight.com PowerOfZero.com (free video series) @mcknightandco on Twitter  @davidcmcknight on Instagram David McKnight on YouTube Get David's Tax-free Tool Kit at taxfreetoolkit.com