The Hidden Costs of Whole Life Insurance

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