Ep. 91 Effective Use Cases of Life Insurance for Wealth Transfer, Tax Planning, and More
Life insurance is often viewed as a way to provide a death benefit. However, for high-net-worth individuals and business owners, life insurance can serve as a strategic financial tool for tax planning, and wealth transfer, and even as an alternative investment.
In this episode of the Live Life Liberated podcast, Centura Wealth Advisory’s Sean Clark, Wealth Advisor, and Christopher Hyman, Director of Insurance Solutions, discuss the broader applications of life insurance.
Key Takeaways
1. Life Insurance as a Wealth Transfer Tool
For high-net-worth individuals, estate taxes can pose a significant burden, often requiring liquidity that may not be readily available. Life insurance provides a tax-free death benefit that can be used to offset estate taxes, preventing the forced liquidation of valuable assets such as real estate or business holdings.
“Wealthy individuals utilize life insurance as a tool to offset tax liability. It provides liquidity at a critical moment, allowing beneficiaries to maintain ownership and control over assets.” – Christopher Hyman
2. Life Insurance as an Alternative Asset Class
Beyond its traditional role, life insurance can serve as a tax-efficient investment vehicle. Certain policies allow for cash accumulation with tax-deferred growth and tax-free withdrawals, making it a compelling option for individuals looking to diversify their portfolio.
“In some cases, we design policies with minimal death benefits to maximize cash accumulation, creating a tax-efficient investment vehicle.” – Sean Clark
3. Business Owners and Life Insurance Planning
Business owners face unique challenges, from succession planning to risk management. Life insurance can be leveraged in several ways:
- Key Person Insurance: Protects businesses from financial loss in case of the death of a crucial team member.
- Buy-Sell Agreements: Ensures a smooth ownership transition if a business partner passes away.
- Defined Benefit Plans: Helps business owners maximize pre-tax retirement savings.
“A buy-sell agreement funded with life insurance ensures that business shares transition smoothly, protecting the company and the remaining owners.” – Christopher Hyman
4. Tax Advantages of Life Insurance
Life insurance offers several tax benefits:
- Tax-deferred growth of policy cash value
- Tax-free withdrawals up to the basis amount
- Policy loans that do not trigger taxable income
- Tax-free death benefits for beneficiaries
“There are four key tax advantages to life insurance: tax-deferred growth, tax-free withdrawals, tax-free loans, and a tax-free death benefit. When structured correctly, it’s a powerful tool for wealth preservation.” – Sean Clark
By strategically incorporating life insurance into a financial plan, individuals can optimize tax efficiency while securing financial stability for their heirs.
5. Exit Planning and Life Insurance
For business owners preparing for a sale or transition, life insurance strategies like Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI) can enhance the efficiency of wealth transfer and minimize tax liability.
“PPLI provides a tax-efficient wrapper for tax-inefficient assets, making it a smart choice for business owners planning an exit.” – Sean Clark
Final Thoughts
While life insurance is often overlooked beyond its traditional death benefit use, it remains a powerful tool in financial and estate planning. By integrating life insurance into a comprehensive wealth strategy, high-net-worth individuals and business owners can mitigate risks, enhance liquidity, and optimize tax outcomes.
For more insights, connect with Sean Clark at sclark@centurawealth.com or Christopher Hyman at chyman@centurawealth.com.
Disclaimer
The information covered and posted represents the views and opinions of the guest and does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Centura Wealth Advisory. The content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional investing advice. Always seek the advice of your financial advisor or other qualified financial service provider with any questions you may have regarding your investment planning.
Centura Wealth Advisory (Centura) is an SEC-registered investment advisor with its principal place of business in San Diego, California. Centura and its representatives are in compliance with the current registration and notice filing requirements imposed on SEC-registered investment advisors in which Centura maintains clients. Centura may only transact business in those states in which it is notice filed or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from notice filing requirements. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Tax relief varies based on client circumstances, and all clients do not achieve the same results.
