Category Archive: Life Insurance

Are you looking for a way to set aside some extra money for your senior years, and maybe a little extra for loved ones to inherit? Most people opt for indexed universal life insurance because it offers the greatest cash value growth tied to the performance of S&P 500 index with the least risk thanks […]

A self-directed Roth IRA is much like a regular Roth IRA, but offers more flexibility as far as what you can invest in. Whereas a regular Roth will only let you invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, and real-estate investment trusts, a self-directed Roth lets you invest in a greater variety of investment options.  […]

If you’ve decided to plan for every eventuality, you’d be smart to include a plan to cover long-term care. Someone turning 65 this year has an almost 70% chance of needing some type of long-term care, and about 13% of those will need it for five years or more. Long-term care is expensive and can […]

Long term care is something that no one likes to think about, but unfortunately, many people will eventually need. Health care costs are skyrocketing, and a lengthy stay at a long-term care facility can easily bankrupt most people’s nest eggs. Long-term care insurance is one way to protect both yourself and your retirement savings. Out […]

California residents who are keen to protect themselves and their families against the worst events in life may be considering long-term care insurance. However, you might not know much about LTC insurance or how it is handled in California. Let’s take a look: What is Long-Term Care Insurance? Long-term care insurance helps pay for long-term […]

Arizona is a great place to retire. It’s warm, there’s no snow to shovel, and Arizona improves the quality of life for anyone with allergies or asthma. When you pack your bags and retire to Arizona, you’re probably not thinking about long-term care. But the sad reality is that 47% of men and 58% of […]

There’s a lot of good reasons to retire in Florida. The weather is warm, the beaches are beautiful, and there are lots of other retirees to socialize with. Also, Florida has no state income taxes, no inheritance taxes, and no estate taxes. When you pack up your things and move to Florida, you’re probably not […]

If you haven’t heard of private placement life insurance, you probably don’t qualify to buy it. Private placement life insurance is typically for investors with millions in liquid cash that they need to invest for tax reasons.  What is Private Placement Life Insurance? Who Qualifies for Private Placement Life Insurance? Benefits of Private Placement Life […]

The Nationwide IUL product can help you either supplement your retirement income or ensure your beneficiaries future by leaving them a nice tax-free death benefit. Obviously, you have many options when it comes to IUL policies, so you want to know how does Nationwide’s policy stack up against the competition? Let’s take a look. Pros […]

Consumers looking to supplement their retirement income often settle on an indexed life insurance policy. These policies build cash value based on market performance and allow your heirs to enjoy a tax-free death benefit. Let’s take a look at Transamerica’s indexed universal life insurance policy and see what makes it stand apart from other such […]

As you try to figure out retirement strategies, you may wonder about Indexed Universal Life Insurance policies (IUL). Is this a good way to save for retirement? Are there tax advantages? Are there any disadvantages to this type of strategy? We’ll break down everything you need to know about investing in IUL policies as a […]

Universal life insurance has many benefits, such as flexible death benefits, the option for cash value earned on the plan and the convenience of never having to renew these permanent options. However, there are some disadvantages of universal life insurance, too. Each life insurance option was created for different people who have different financial goals […]

You’ve decided to leave behind a sizable life insurance benefit for your loved ones. You want it to be an amount that covers the funeral, the house, car, and even bills for a long time. Perhaps you are even in the upper middle class or wealthy tax bracket and need a large policy to cover […]

Most people know they have to plan for retirement, but it seems so overwhelming and there are so many places to put your money that many people put off doing anything. However, it’s crucial to save for retirement because Social Security benefits alone are probably not going to provide for a comfortable retirement. IUL and […]

Just deciding to get a permanent life insurance policy to protect your loved ones financially and provide a little extra income in retirement is an important step. But, you’re not done yet. Now it’s time to look at the options for different types of life insurance policies so you can decide which one is the […]

A ten million dollar life insurance policy may seem like a lot of money. If you’re considering such a policy, you have both a high income and some other assets that you are trying to protect. The main reason to invest in a $10 million dollar policy is to pass this wealth onto your heirs. […]

Indexed universal life insurance can be difficult to understand. You can set it up to either leave a nice death benefit to your heirs, or you can set it up so that you can withdraw money from the account to supplement your income in retirement. There are a lot of moving parts, so let’s take […]

There are many types of Universal Life insurance – guaranteed universal (or GUL), indexed universal (or IUL), and variable universal (or VUL). People who buy universal life insurance usually purchase these policies because they want lifelong protection, and they want their heirs to reap the benefits of a tax-free inheritance. Some of them include a […]

If you want the ultimate in stability with your life insurance, then you’ll want to look into guaranteed universal life insurance. These types of plans offer the most stability for your beneficiaries after death. Below we’ll look more into what this type of insurance is and who should consider it. What is Guaranteed Universal Life […]

When you approach your golden years, you’ll want to consider all sources of income to fund your retirement. In addition to 401k, IRA’s, social security, and investment income, you can also use the cash value in a cash value life insurance policy.  What is a Life Insurance Retirement Plan? Life Insurance Policies that Can Be […]

Universal life insurance has come under fire lately. Many people who purchased these policies in the 1980’s and 1990’s didn’t really understand how they worked (in their defense, insurance salespeople often didn’t get it, either) which led the policies to becoming underfunded. Their choices were then to pay a lot more in premiums or let […]

We have discussed the benefits of cash value life insurance and how to use it to supplement retirement income. The reason that a cash value life insurance policy is better than an investment account, like mutual fund account, is that, unlike in an investment account, the investment gain in a cash value account of a […]

Life insurance is an important purchase and one not to be taken lightly. There are many different types on the market, each with benefits and drawbacks. One example is an indexed universal life insurance policy, which allows you to grow cash value as part of your life insurance plan. So below we’ll look more in-depth […]

The Indexed Universal Life (IUL) insurance policy offers the best of both a retirement income and an inheritance for loved ones after death. It is a unique kind of permanent insurance policy designed with an initial death benefit and a separate cash value that is tied to the annual performance of an index, like the […]

If you depend on Warren Buffet for financial advice, you’ll know he’s been telling people to buy index funds so they can get a solid return on their investment. That’s because the S&P 500 index (Standard and Poor’s) is a reflection of overall market performance and it is considered a good indication of the health […]

Whole life insurance is a bit tricky to understand, due to the fact it has both a cash value and a death benefit and both guaranteed and non-guaranteed. If you’re considering a whole life insurance policy, you need to figure out what your needs and goals are, and then calculate how much life insurance you […]

Most services in life are pretty straightforward. If you don’t pay your bills, like the electric bill, you get your services cut off. Life insurance exists in its own little world as far as that goes. If you can’t afford to pay your premiums at a certain time, many companies and policies allow you to […]

You’ve worked hard and invested wisely. You’ve set aside a sizable nest egg for retirement. Now you’re wondering about life insurance. A life insurance policy can serve as a tax shelter for wealthy or high-income people who want to pass their assets onto their heirs. This way, your heirs get a nice lump sum and […]

There are a lot of articles out there about the best life insurance companies. We were curious about the other end of the spectrum: What are the worst life insurance companies? Obviously, we’d all like to avoid those. Whether it’s because of consumer complaints, reluctance of paying claims, or customer service, these are the worst […]

Shopping around for a long-term care policy can be confusing. Mutual of Omaha offers Secure Solution for a long-term care insurance option. They also offer a Custom Solution option. Both policies offer a fair amount of flexibility, since you are able to choose how long you want your elimination period to be and you can […]

Many companies have left the long-term care insurance market. Rising health care costs, plus the invention of the hybrid long-term care/life insurance policy has resulted in many companies bailing out of long-term care insurance. If you still want a long-term care policy, Transamerica offers a fairly affordable policy with some nice features. It’s a solid […]

The Lincoln long-term care insurance product is called Lincoln MoneyGuard III. It is a hybrid long-term care insurance policy, one that combines permanent life insurance with long-term care insurance. These are sometimes called linked policies. The beauty of these policies is that if you require long-term care the money is there for that, but if […]

You have a lot of options if you’re interested in a linked policy—a hybrid life insurance and long-term care policy. A lot of people like these types of policies because they provide long-term care benefits if you need them and a tax-free death benefit to your beneficiaries if you don’t. Nationwide offers such a hybrid product […]

The Securian long-term care insurance product is called SecureCare. It is a hybrid long-term care and life insurance policy (also called linked policies). It is a good product in the hybrid long-term care insurance market and worth of your consideration. A hybrid policy may be ideal because if you need long-term care, the money is […]

OneAmerica long term care insurance is called Asset-Care. It is a hybrid long-term care insurance policy underwritten by the State Life Insurance company, based in Indiana. This policy has several great features that you’ll want to consider if you’re looking around for a hybrid long-term care/life insurance policy. The three unique benefits of OneAmerica hybrid long-term […]

If it turns out you actually need long-term care (which 70% of those over 65 eventually will) a traditional long-term care insurance policy is a good value. These policies are less expensive that hybrid policies, which combine long-term care and life insurance. If you don’t need life insurance, you could consider a traditional long-term care […]

Hybrid long-term care insurance policies have increased in popularity these days. It makes sense, because unlike long-term care insurance, if you don’t need the long-term care benefits, the life insurance portion of the policy allows your beneficiaries to get a tax-free death benefit and the premiums are guaranteed not to change. Some of them even […]

Long-term care insurance is probably a good idea. With an estimated 47% of men and 58% of women over 65 needed some type of long-term care, long-term care insurance will ensure that you get the care you need. On the other hand, Medicare doesn’t cover long-term care, so you can’t rely on that.  Unlike hybrid […]

The long-term care insurance market has seen a mass exodus in recent years. There used to be  over 100 companies selling this insurance, now there are less than ten, with more pulling out of the market every day. Some companies have started to offer hybrid policies instead, but New York Life still offers a traditional […]

John Hancock used to be one of the biggest sellers of long-term care insurance, but they have ceased to offer it. This is becoming more and more common with insurance companies that used to offer long-term care insurance, as it’s become increasingly difficult to make a profit on it. Let’s take a look at the […]

Northwestern Mutual is one of the few remaining companies that still offer traditional long-term care insurance. The fact that Northwestern is a mutual company means that that earned dividends could potentially reduce your premiums.  Northwestern Mutual, as well as every other traditional long-term care insurance company, finds it necessary to increase premiums by a lot […]

MassMutual is one of about ten insurance companies still offering traditional long-term care insurance policies. These policies are harder to come by because decreasing profits caused many companies to leave the market. MassMutual also offers two hybrid long-term care insurance policies, CareChoice One and CareChoice Select, which are both whole life insurance policies with long-term […]

If you’re looking for small business insurance, one of the easiest ways to compare quotes is to find an online commercial insurance broker. These sites typically look at main insurers and offer multiple quote comparisons. However, it can be hard to find out which are the best, since there are so many of them. So […]

If the thought of paying taxes on money in retirement makes you nervous, (who knows what the tax rate will be by then?) consider a Roth IRA. You’ll invest with after-tax money, so when you go to withdraw it, it’ll be tax-free. It’s also a good option if you think you’ll earn more money over […]

You may already know that a Variable Universal Life Insurance Policy (VUL) is a type of permanent life insurance. In fact, it is a special policy that allows you to invest the cash value portion in different ways to grow it faster. Because of the investment options that come with a VUL, many people use […]

It’s perfectly normal to want to provide for your loved ones in case the worst happens, but finding the right insurance to meet your needs is a bit like Prince Charming searching for Cinderella. You have to check out a few different policies before finding your match.  To help with your search, we’re comparing whole […]

Permanent life insurance, especially universal life insurance, is more complicated than term life insurance, largely because of the cash value component in the policy. It is unfortunate that most people often associate permanent life insurance with whole life insurance. Whole life insurance is an old, inflexible, and unnecessarily expensive product and it is often unsuitable […]

If you own a universal life policy, you undoubtedly were attracted to the thought of a permanent life insurance policy that builds cash value but was much less expensive than whole life insurance. The way universal life insurance works is that part of the premium goes to fund the death benefit, and part of the […]

If you are looking for ways to provide for yourself in retirement and maybe even leave something behind for loved ones, there are plenty of financial products on the market. In fact, some of them are quite similar, such as an indexed universal life insurance (or IUL) vs. 401k.  Depending on your financial position in […]

When you’re looking around at various life insurance policies, how do you decide which one is the right policy for you? You could listen to your insurance agent, but he/she has a vested interest in selling you an expensive policy. There are a lot of different life insurance policies available, seeking to accomplish different things. […]

The market has been incredibly volatile of late—Covid-19’s effects on the economy were precipitous and will take a while to recover from. But that doesn’t mean that an indexed universal life policy isn’t a great product. Since these are long-term investments, any fluctuations of market performance will even out over time. We know you have […]

Funding retirement is an age-old question many people wrestle with for decades before they actually retire. How much will be enough? Should I invest all my money in IRA’s or 401(k)’s? What about the stock market? An investment strategy that some people fail to consider is the IUL or Indexed Universal Life Insurance. What is […]

If you’re looking for a way to invest money while having the peace of mind of a life insurance policy, then you’ll want to look into variable universal life insurance (VUL). These types of policies offer a high degree of investment options. Read on to learn more about what they are and if they make […]

If you are frustrated with the slow cash-value growth in a traditional whole life insurance policy, variable life insurance (VLI), or sometimes called variable whole life insurance, is the answer. These products started being offered in the 1980s to meet the demand for an insurance policy that could grow at the same rate as the […]

AIG (American General) offers a Guaranteed Universal life insurance (or GUL) policy called AIG Secure Lifetime GUL 3. It’s an apt name, because guaranteed universal life insurance policies seek to provide permanent life insurance without building any cash value. Your heirs will get a tax-free death benefit when you pass away.  A lot of insurance […]

Securian Financial was known as Minnesota Life insurance, up until 2018 when they adopted their parent company’s brand. They’re still based in Minnesota, but they serve all fifty states, plus Canada and Puerto Rico. They’ve been around since 1880 and have more than $1.3 trillion in life insurance policies in force. They are the eighth […]

Symetra life insurance has called Bellevue, Washington home for the past 60 years. They offer retirement, benefits, and insurance products in offices located in seventeen cities throughout the U.S. Their parent company is called Sumitomo Life, which is one of the largest life insurance companies in Japan. Taken together, they hold over $300 billion dollars […]

Searching for an affordable life insurance policy that allows you to leave behind a large legacy? You may want to consider Guaranteed Universal Life Insurance (GUL). This universal life insurance offers the flexibility of an adjustable premium and a no-lapse guarantee for policy holders. If you meet the requirements of the guarantee, you don’t have […]

Life insurance can be a good, even necessary investment for most people. Did you know it can also help you get a loan? Taking out a loan against your life insurance policy is called collateral assignment. Lenders often accept life insurance policies as collateral because it’s a low risk loan; they know they’re going to […]

When you start shopping around for life insurance, you want to know if the company you’re considering buying from has a good reputation. Do they pay claims on time? Are there a lot of consumer complaints? Can you get an online quote? The Best Life Insurance Companies (Overall) Best Life Insurance Companies for Term Life […]

ManhattanLife is one of the oldest life insurance companies in the country—they were founded back in 1850. It was originated to provide protection for widows and orphans affected by cholera. They commissioned the first skyscraper in Manhattan, in 1894. Since then, they’ve provided life, health, and supplemental Medicare insurance for their customers, and they have […]

Accordia Life Insurance is a subsidiary of Global Atlantic Financial Group. Global Atlantic acquired them in 2013. Global Atlantic was founded at Goldman Sachs, the global leading investment bank, but they separated from them and became their own independent company in 2013. This constant merging led to problems with the company, as we’ll explain below.  […]

Primerica offers basic term insurance coverage. They also have a variety of other financial products, sold through third party businesses. Their goal is to get customers to buy term insurance and invest the rest. As such, they offer many investment products for you to choose from. They have been selling term life insurance since 1977 […]

Occidental Life Insurance company has its roots in North Carolina, back in 1906. They are headquartered in Waco, TX. Why is a life insurance company from North Carolina headquartered in TX, you ask? Occidental is part of a larger financial group that consists of American-Amicable Life Insurance Company of Texas, Pioneer American Insurance, American Life […]

Seniors and others who purchase long-term care insurance may be wondering about taxes. Is long-term care insurance tax-deductible? Does it count as income if you get a lump sum payout? Is there a difference between traditional long-term care insurance and hybrid policies? We’ll examine the tax benefits of long-term care insurance, hybrid insurance, and answer […]

As you look forward to your retirement years, you’re probably not anticipating spending hundreds of thousands of dollars of your retirement nest egg on long term care. Sadly, that is a reality for some people who haven’t thought about how they might pay for such an eventuality. The good news is that there are some […]

As you grow older or if you are dealing with a sudden life change, you are likely starting to consider long-term care services to make life a little easier. Whether that means staying at home with in-home assistance or moving into a nursing facility or seeking adult day care for a loved one, all depends […]

The population of the United States is aging as the baby boomer generation approaches retirement age. One of the things concerning this population is health care, specifically long-term health care. It’s expensive, and if you and your spouse need long-term care, you can easily drain your retirement savings. If you have traditional long-term care insurance […]

Financially savvy people would do well to consider either long-term care insurance or a hybrid policy, since the odds are good that you or your spouse will need some type of long-term care as you get older. We can answer the most common questions and help you get a quote for either long-term care insurance […]

The cost of long-term care insurance can vary dramatically, depending on what company you choose and how much daily long-term care benefit you want, usually from $150 to $350, and for how long, usually from 2-6 years. It also depends on whether you choose a traditional policy or a hybrid policy (permanent life insurance combined […]

You probably already know that the bottom has dropped out of the long-term care insurance market, with many companies leaving the market altogether. But you’re probably still worried about what will happen if you or your spouse should need long-term care. It’s expensive and paying for it out-of-pocket can easily deplete your entire nest egg. […]

The traditional long-term care insurance market has undergone something of a mass exodus in recent years. There used to be over 100 companies offering long-term care insurance, and now there are only about twelve, with more leaving every day. This is unfortunate, as the baby boomers are reaching a point in their lives where long-term […]

As you plan for your retirement and beyond, you’re probably not anticipating you or your spouse going into a nursing home. But sadly, someone turning 65 today has almost a 70% chance of needing some kind of long-term care in the future. Long-term care is extremely expensive, depending on the type of care. For example, […]

Many people who are concerned about the possibility of needing long-term care. One way to fund this possibility is by purchasing a permanent life insurance policy with a long-term care rider. This way you can access part of the death benefit to pay for long-term care while you’re still alive. Since someone turning 65 today […]

We’re all living longer these days. Unfortunately, as we live longer, some of us will require some form of long-term care. You could purchase long-term care insurance, but if you don’t need long-term care, all of the money you spent in premiums is wasted. That’s where a hybrid long-term care/permanent life insurance policy can come […]

Life insurance can be a great product for offering you peace of mind. On a general level, paying premiums into a life insurance plan can mean a payment (called a death benefit) is paid out to your family after your passing. However, there are several different types of life insurance to consider. One example is […]

Like many other permanent life insurance policies, Dividend Paying Whole Life Insurance (WL) is a great way to provide a guaranteed death benefit for loved ones. Most people are familiar with what a whole life policy is compared to a term life insurance policy—WL policies are set up to provide coverage for an entire lifetime […]

Long-term care is something no one likes to think about, but that almost two-thirds of those 65 and over will need. A common misconception is that Medicaid will pay for long-term health care costs, but this is not true, unless you earn very little and have no assets to fall back on. Some people try […]

You’re probably familiar with financing for your car, your home, and possibly other big-ticket items. But did you know you can also finance your life insurance policy? That is called premium financing life insurance. Simple right? The only catch is, you have to be worth at least $5 million dollars.  What is Premium Financing Life […]

No one likes to confront their own death. It’s scary and no one knows what’s on the other side. You’ll leave your loved ones behind. You don’t want to add to their stress because they would struggle to pay for your funeral. Top 4 Providers of Final Expense Life Insurance What is Final Expense Insurance? […]

AXA Equitable became just Equitable in January of 2020. They dropped AXA as a sign they were moving away from their parent company, AXA SA to become an independent U.S. based company. Originally, Henry B. Hyde founded Equitable Life Assurance in 1859. They offered their first variable life insurance policy in 1970 and in 2010 […]

North American Company for Life and Health has over 130 years of experience, and currently has 615,369 insurance policies and annuities in force and assets of over $27 billion. North American is a privately owned company, and as such, it is not subject to short-term profits like many publicly traded companies. This makes them unusual […]

If you are a savvy investor, you might feel a little limited by the traditional IRA’s or Roth IRA’s. Those retirement accounts only allow you to invest in stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. If you’re interested in investing in things like cryptocurrency or precious metals, you’ll have to consider other opportunities and that’s where self-directed […]

Retiring at age 55 is nearly ideal. You’ve put plenty of time into a career, and you have numerous achievements and accolades under your belt. On the other hand, you’re still young enough to enjoy life. You can travel, engage in new hobbies, and visit friends and family, all without the health issues that can […]

If you’re a high income earner, or just someone who wants to put away more money for retirement than the IRS thinks you should, you might want to look into a backdoor Roth IRA. This is a legal way to skirt some of the rules around Roth IRA’s so that you can take advantage of […]

As you enter your fifth decade of life, you are probably putting much more thought into retirement and how to make that happen. If you haven’t put much effort into saving for retirement by this age, you still have time to prepare.  These days most people are expected to retire at or around the age […]

A gold Roth IRA is just what is sounds like—you’re investing part of your retirement account in gold. You can also invest in platinum, silver, or palladium (palladium is a precious metal, often used in fuel cells). How you feel about a gold Roth IRA is greatly dependent on your stance on investing in precious […]

You’re probably familiar with traditional IRA’s and Roth IRA’s. You have a 401(k) with employer matching. If you’re a high income earner, you have probably heard of a backdoor Roth IRA, since income limits prevent you from contributing to a Roth if you’re income is high enough. But what is a mega backdoor IRA? What […]

A Roth IRA is an Individual Retirement Account that you fund with after-tax dollars. Because you already paid taxes on this money, it’s tax-free when you withdraw it. That makes it a little different than a traditional IRA, which is also an individual retirement account. However, in a traditional IRA, you invest pre-tax dollars in […]

Funding your retirement is often confusing and complex. Where to put your money so that you enjoy a good rate of return, but have the least amount of taxes and fees to pay? Also, what happens if you really need the money you set aside? What if you want to retire early? A Roth IRA […]

MorningStar is an investment research company. It’s considered one of the most influential investment research companies in the world. MorningStar prides itself of giving its investors great advice. They grew from a startup to a globally recognized investment research firm in 35 years. Joe Mansueto started the company because he thought it was unfair that […]

People who are looking for an insurance policy that lasts their entire lives and don’t care about cash value accumulation often purchase guaranteed universal life insurance or GUL. GUL is sometimes sold as being a hybrid of whole life insurance and term life insurance. It features lifetime protection of whole life insurance at a much […]

Many people think of life insurance as a product for people who are more in their early to middle ages. That’s the point in life when it’s more common to have financial dependents, between kids and perhaps a spouse. But universal life insurance could make sense of seniors, too. Guaranteed universal life insurance for seniors […]

As a permanent life insurance with flexible premium payments, Guaranteed Universal Life Insurance (GUL) offers policyholders convenience in a permanent life insurance policy. These policies are a newer type of insurance offered to people who want insurance coverage for a whole lifetime, but they can’t handle the inflexible nature of a whole life insurance policy. […]

So, you’re looking at the big Four-Oh this year and it suddenly dawns on you that you’re getting older. You are one decade closer to retirement and don’t have any money set aside. In the United States, the typical retirement age is about 67 years old, so you still have 27 years left to start […]

Many people start to think more seriously about their financial future when they enter their 30s, and this is the time to start saving money for retirement. In fact, Fidelity Investments has a rule of thumb stating that people should have saved up about 1X their annual salary by the age of 30 years old.   […]

If you’re thinking about retirement when you’re in your ‘20’s, you are a planner. You should be congratulated, because starting to save now, while you’re young, gives you a lot of advantages over those who wait. Those who start saving earlier will be more likely to enjoy a comfortable retirement and the younger you start, […]

Saving for retirement is a very important task that each of us should take seriously. The simple question we often wonder is how much I need to save monthly to ensure that we will have enough money to support our comfortable life in retirement years. Unfortunately, the answer isn’t as simple. Each of us might […]

We often wonder how much retirement income we will have when we retire and where the income comes from. Here is a calculator which helps you calculate how much retirement income you will have when you retire; where the income comes from; and what you can do increase your retirement income. [CP_CALCULATED_FIELDS id=”11″] You can […]

Regardless how old we are, we all should start saving for retirement. Saving for retirement will take a long time to accumulate sufficient fund to support us with a comfortable life in retirement years. “How much retirement savings I will have when I retire” is a common question people usually have. The oversimplified answers to […]

To support your comfortable living in your retirement years, you have probably figured out how much monthly income you will need when you retire. If you have not, common advice suggests that you will need 70-80% of the income you have prior to retirement. Since it is uncertain to know for sure how long you […]

AAA offers two types of universal life insurance policies, LifeTime Universal Life and Accumulator Universal life. Both of these are permanent life insurance policies, meaning they last the rest of your life. If you’re a AAA member you may be able to get a discount, but you don’t have to be a member to apply.  […]

There were significant changes to the tax laws in 2019, but you still may not be able to contribute enough money to an IRA to provide a comfortable retirement income if you are a high-income earner. How can those with high income save enough for retirement without paying a significant chunk of it to Uncle […]

If you live in Canada, you should take advantage of a TFSA, or tax-free savings account. It’s not really a savings account, but rather an investment account. You can invest in stocks, bonds, EFT’s and cash. You invest your after-tax income in the account, and then withdrawals are tax-free.  If you live in the United […]

Fidelity has been helping people with life insurance since 1896. It was founded as Mystic Workers of the World in Fulton, IL and had the goal of providing life insurance to the middle class workers of the Midwest. The name was changed to Fidelity in 1930. They were one of the first life insurance companies […]

Health care costs are a growing concern. Costs are skyrocketing, and as the population ages, more and more seniors will need long term care in their lifetime. As of 2018, 52% of people who reach age 65 will require some kind of long-term care. Medicare covers medically necessary acute care, such as hospital visits and […]

Life insurance is a highly useful financial tool for those concerned about afterlife expenses and the costs of living for loved ones they leave behind. The death benefits on life insurance policies are usually enough to cover funeral costs, pay debts, and give family members money to live on for a few years. Life insurance […]

“You’re in good hands with Allstate.” This has been Allstate’s slogan since 1950 when Davis Ellis came up with it. They’ve kept it this long because it’s easily recognizable and because Allstate feels it reflects their values and service. The company itself was founded nineteen years before that, in 1931, as an auto insurer.  It […]

Banner Life is the insurance division of Legal & General Group. Banner Life insures every state except New York—if you live in New York, you can go through William Penn, which is also a division of Legal & General. Legal & General is one of the world’s largest multinational financial services companies, not to mention […]

American National Insurance Company is based in Galveston, TX. They insure all fifty states and they offer all manners of insurance, from life to health, homeowners to classic car insurance. They were founded in 1905 by William Moody Jr. They are an S&P 500 company. At the end of 2019, they had $28.6 billion dollars […]

What is Life Insurance?  What is Term Life insurance? And Its Benefits? What is Whole Life Insurance? And Its Benefits? Differences Between Term Life and Whole Life Insurance Cost of Whole Life vs. Term Life Insurance What is Life Insurance?  Life insurance is like a safety net for your dependents. In the simplest definition, you […]

Life insurance is a policy that protects your loved ones in the event of your death. There are different types of life insurance policies, the two main types being term life insurance and permanent life. Permanent life insurance consists of whole life insurance and universal life. In this article, we will focus on whole life […]

If you have children, debts, or want to leave something behind for the family, you might be thinking about getting life insurance. But, there are many kinds of life insurance policies that pay out after death, one of which is dividend paying whole life insurance.  It may be a better option to get this type […]

Are you considering whole life insurance? No matter where you are in life, a permanent life insurance policy can provide much needed protection for your family and coverage of funeral expenses. There are many providers on the market, so it can be hard to choose. To help you out, here is a list of the […]

The online quote process might seem like a barrier to getting whole life insurance. Unlike term life, finding a whole life insurance quote can come with more health questions, required medical exam, or may even require you to talk with an agent. That’s because whole life insurance is a type of permanent life insurance. Insurers […]

Buyer’s remorse is a feeling of regret after a large purchase. What if you’re regretting buying that whole life insurance policy someone talked you into? Or perhaps you’ve had the policy for some years and paying the premiums is a struggle every month. What can you do? The good news is that you have options, […]

One of the most useful components of many permanent life insurance policies is the ability to build cash value. It’s the amount of money you build on a life insurance policy above the pure cost of insurance. Whole life is another type of life insurance that has a cash value component. However, it operates in […]

If you’re considering whole life insurance, you’ll need to know what you’re getting into with this major purchase. There’s a lot of information about whole life insurance out there. However, many whole life policies are surrendered or lapse because people either underestimate the expense or because they realize they would have better off with a […]

Whole life insurance is touted as a solid permanent life insurance option. It gives you the guaranteed death benefit and grows cash value. Where whole life differs from other permanent life insurance types is that it tends to grow cash value at a fixed rate determined by the insurance company. Meanwhile, certain universal life insurance […]

Insurance agents often tout the benefits of whole life insurance. They extoll the virtues of the cash value accumulation, from which you can withdraw money to supplement retirement income. One thing some people overlook is that insurance agents work on commission, and whole life insurance is expensive. Are they recommending whole life insurance because it’s […]

Are you interested in getting a whole life insurance policy, but aren’t sure about whole life product? Choosing your life insurance is a process that requires careful thought and research to find the perfect match. You certainly don’t want to invest in the high premiums that come with whole life insurance if it isn’t going […]

Whole life insurance is a common product you see listed with nearly every major insurance company. The problem? It’s an older product that tends to be more expensive, inflexible, and carry fewer benefits than newer products like indexed universal life insurance, guaranteed universal life insurance, or variable universal life insurance. Below we’ll answer the question […]

If you have a sum of money set aside, but want to use it to improve your family’s financial situation there are plenty of options. One way to “invest” that money and gain multiple benefits is through the purchase of a single premium life insurance policy. What Is Single Premium Life Insurance? Drawbacks of Single […]

Are you looking into a life insurance policy but aren’t certain about signing up for it yet? That’s understandable. Life insurance is a complex and varied industry that boasts a wide range of products. If you are ready to do the research, you’ll find that there are many benefits and potential drawbacks of buying a […]

One of the key ways to take the sting out of paying taxes is to see what you can all list as a deduction. It’s surprising what might be a deduction, but life insurance premiums are not something you can list as a deduction. So the answer to “Is life insurance tax deductible?” is “no, […]

It’s only natural to want to leave something behind for loved ones after you pass on. Many people do this with a life insurance policy that pays a death benefit when the policy holder dies. However, you may wonder if your beneficiary will have to pay taxes on the death benefits they receive. The answer […]

If you’re planning on retiring sometime, either in the near future or somewhere further down the road, you should have a strategy. A key element in your retirement strategy is deciding where are the best places to invest your money. Which investment accounts give you the best ROI (return on investment)? Which have the best […]

When you retire, you’re probably looking forward to lots of time playing with the grandkids, traveling, or pursuing all those hobbies you didn’t have time for when you worked full-time. You’re probably not thinking about taxes, but Uncle Sam definitely is, and just because you no longer work doesn’t mean you can escape paying taxes. […]

Retirement can be a time of renewal. Time to stop and smell the roses, connect with old friends, travel to exotic lands. However, retirement is also a time of anxiety, especially if you haven’t prepared for it. Managing your taxes in retirement is one of the most important financial decisions you can make. The difference […]

Freedom Life Insurance was founded in 1956. They’ve been serving customers for over fifty years. They are located in Fort Worth, TX.  Freedom Life insurance is a subsidiary of U.S. Health Group, which is a broker of group health insurance plans.  Freedom Life Insurance is pretty small, capturing only .01% of the market share or […]

Geico life insurance is a bit of a unique position in the life insurance world. You can find life insurance quotes through Geico, but those quotes come from Life Quotes, Inc. At the bottom of the website, it states that the life coverages are written by non-affiliated companies and secured through Geico Insurance Agency. With […]

It’s no secret you have your choice of companies when it comes to choosing life insurance products. One major brand that’s practically a household name is MetLife, offering everything from auto to home to even dental insurance. So, of course, the company also has a host of life insurance products, which we’ll review in our […]

When you go to the website for Lumico Life Insurance, the company has a very intuitive and colorful website, making it look like it’s one of these new online-only insurance companies. But according to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Lumico has been in business for 35 years. While this is technically young for an insurance […]

Midland National Life Insurance was founded in 1906 as Dakota Mutual Life Insurance Company. They changed their name to Midland National Life Insurance in 1925. The original slogan was “Great Oaks from Little Acorns Grow.” Today, they’re a part of Sammons Financial Group, and they have combined assets of over $73 billion with over $266 […]

SBLI stands for Savings Bank Life Insurance, and they are proud to say that’s all they offer–life insurance. SBLI feels companies that offer a ton of insurance products or toss in credit cards and other financial products tend to lose their way. They originated in 1907 by Louis Brandeis, whose goal was to help everyone […]

Business owners have so many things to worry about; finding health care insurance, paying taxes, economic uncertainty, finding good employees. You could be forgiven if you forgot about life insurance, or just kept putting it off.  As a small business owner, you occupy a unique position. Not only does your family count on you, your […]

Sagicor Life insurance is committed to providing customers with a fully-online experience. You don’t have to buy through life insurance agents, and you can be approved for a policy in twenty minutes. They do have agents, but you don’t have to use them.  Sagicor Life Insurance has been in business since 1954. In 2005, they […]

Aflac is a relative newcomer in the life insurance market, having been founded in 1955. You might think of a duck that squawks “Aflac!” when you think of the company name. The American Pekin duck was incorporated into the advertising campaign on January 1, 2000, and has been a presence ever since, appearing in over […]

Mass Mutual was founded in 1851 and is headquartered in Springfield, MA. As a mutual company, they don’t have shareholders. Instead, Mass Mutual is owned by its policy holders, and some policy holders earn a share of the profits through dividends. They offer a range of term and permanent life insurance as well as disability […]

State Farm is one of the largest insurance companies in the world. They started almost 100 years ago by Illinois farmer G.J. Mercherle. He sold his first auto insurance policy for $11.17. They serve 82.9 million policies today. They are mainly an auto and homeowner insurer, but they have life insurance as well as many […]

Pacific Life started 150 years ago, in 1868. They were founded in Sacramento, CA by two men, Simon Schreiber and Josiah Howell. They saw a need for a life insurance company based on the west coast, and Pacific Life Insurance company was born. They are a mutual company, so there are owned by their customers, […]

“Nationwide in on your side” is probably what comes to mind when you hear the name Nationwide. The company was started in 1925 as a mutual auto insurer. It was originally called the Farm Bureau Mutual Automobile insurance company, as it was started by Farm Bureaus. Nine Farm Bureaus continue to support Nationwide. They gradually […]

Northwestern Mutual has been around for over 162 years. They’ve persevered through depressions, recessions, and two World Wars. In 2017 Fortune named it one of the most Admired Companies in the Insurance: Life and Health category.  As a mutual insurance company, Northwestern answers to its customers. Customers get a share of the profits the company […]

When you’re searching for a life insurance company, sometimes it helps to know which companies command the largest market share. That way, you know your insurance company will have the financial strength it needs to pay claims. They also tend to offer a wide variety of insurance products, so you can get the policy that […]

With better health care these days people are expecting to live much longer, but that doesn’t mean they will be able to remain independent in their final years. More and more seniors require assistance with the activities of daily living (ADL) as they age which can be expensive. If you want to protect your assets […]

Assurity Life insurance began way back in 1890, near Lincoln, Nebraska as the Modern Woodmen Accident Association. They are a mutual corporation, which means they are owned by their policyholders instead of shareholders. In 2005, Woodmen Accident and Life, Security Mutual, and Lincoln Mutual Life all merged and became Assurity Life Insurance. They hold $2.6 […]

As parents it’s natural to want to make sure your children are taken care of in all situations, especially the worst case scenarios. Whether you are new parents with a young baby or experienced ones with a special needs child, it’s scary to think about what would happen if you were to die and leave […]

If you are a Costco member and shop at Costco often enough, you’ve undoubtedly seen signs advertising their life insurance. You’ve probably wondered about it. Do they offer the same discounts on life insurance as they do on everything else? Costco offers life insurance underwritten by Protective Life. They claim members save 15% over other […]

Foresters is a fraternal benefit society. Customers must be members of The Independent Order of Foresters, but you can apply as part of the purchase of a life insurance policy. Becoming a member gives you benefits, such as access to academic scholarships, discounted legal services, and financial counseling.  Foresters in based in Toronto, Canada and […]

Ameritas is another big name in the insurance world. According to the company’s about page, it has over 4 million customers. But how do the company’s life insurance products hold up? Below in our Ameritas life insurance review, we’ll look at the life insurance products the company offers and the reputation of the company.    Pros […]

TruStage Life Insurance is underwritten by CMFG life insurance. They’ve been around for a long time: since 1935. They now insure more than 20 million people. They used to offer products only through credit unions, but now they are available to everyone. They offer term, whole, and guaranteed acceptance whole life insurance, as well as […]

Bankers life insurance started in 1879 as the Hotel Men’s Mutual Benefit Association. John D. MacArthur studied mass-marketed household goods and realized the same approach could be applied to life insurance. When the Medicare bill was signed, Bankers Life was one of the first insurers to offer Medicare Supplement insurance. They focus on the retirement […]

Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance is another big name in the life insurance industry. Started in 1963, it also has a long time of building insurance expertise. Lincoln Heritage is a little different from other insurance companies in that it primarily focuses on final expense life insurance. Below we’ll look at its products in more detail […]

You may be wondering, “What is permanent life insurance?” Permanent life insurance is simply a type of life insurance that you don’t have to renew and it provides lifelong coverage. Generally, as long as you keep up on your premiums, a death benefit gets paid to your beneficiaries when you pass away. But one of […]

When it comes to life insurance, probably 80% of us will find that term life insurance is the way to go. It is simple, affordable, and serves the right purpose. It provides protection for our family in case something happens to us while our family still depend on us providing for them. Ultimately, it is […]

Allianz is a life insurance and annuities company that has been around for almost 125 years. When looking for life insurance, it pays to compare your options, so below in our Allianz life insurance review we’ll look at the products it offers and the reputation of the company.  Pros and Cons of Allianz Life Insurance […]

“Liberty, Liberty, Liberty. Liberty.” An amazingly simple yet catchy jingle is the cornerstone of Liberty Mutual’s marketing campaign, and what many people think of when they hear “Liberty Mutual.” They are based in Boston, MA and have been in the insurance industry since 1912. They are the sixth largest global property and casualty insurer based […]

To make sure you’re getting the best life insurance plan for your needs and premiums that fit your budget, it pays to shop around. Another company that offers a host of life insurance products is the financial company Principal. Below in our Principal life insurance review,  We’ll look in-depth at which life insurance products it […]

Penn Mutual was founded more than 170 years ago, back in 1847. They are a mutual company, so that means they are owned by their policy holders—their customers, rather than shareholders. This means your policy may earn dividends. Penn Mutual paid their first dividend in 1849 and  paid $1.4 billion dollars to their policyholders and […]

Guardian Life insurance has been around for over 150 years. They were started by a group of immigrants who banded together to provide insurance for their businesses and families. The first policy was issued to a cigar merchant in July of 1860.  Guardian Life Insurance is a mutual company, which means they answer to their […]

When looking for life insurance, it pays to shop around. One well-known company that offers life insurance is Mutual of Omaha. In business since 1909, Mutual of Omaha offers several types of life insurance. Below in our Mutual of Omaha life insurance review, we’ll look at those products in more detail and the reputation of […]

A 1035 exchange on a life insurance policy is simply a rule that allows you to change your life insurance policy without incurring any taxes. It can be beneficial if you realize you need another policy type that works better for your changing financial goals. Below we’ll explore the concept of 1035 exchange life insurance […]

When you think of Colonial Penn Life Insurance, you probably think of Alex Trebek. Colonial Penn was founded over sixty years ago, by one of the cofounders of AARP. It was one of the first life insurance companies to offer Guaranteed Acceptance life insurance policies. They market these policies to people over the age of […]

John Hancock is a major insurance company that has been in business for 158 years, according to the Better Business Bureau. As such, it has a host of individual life insurance products. Below in our John Hancock life insurance review, we’ll look at those products in more detail, as well as the reputation of the […]

Cash value is an important part of a permanent life insurance policy to consider. It’s the value you build on a life insurance policy above and beyond the death benefit. It is only available in permanent life insurance, so it is considered another name of permanent life insurance. If you’re interested in your life insurance […]

As COVID-19 has spread throughout the world, it’s had a big impact on people’s lives and the economy. On a personal level, many people were forced to stay home to prevent the spread of Coronavirus, and some have developed severe symptoms after being infected. As of April 8th, 2020, there were approximately 82,000 deaths worldwide […]

If you have children, you’ve probably heard of Gerber Life Insurance. Their “Grow-up” plan is targeted to families with infants and small children. The odds are they mailed you information soon after your child was born.  But did you know they have other life insurance products as well? They have a full array of insurance […]

Prudential Life insurance offers customers to “get a piece of the Rock.” They are ranked 1st in the Life and Health Insurance category on Fortune’s list of the most admired companies for 2020. They are the largest life insurer in the United States, with over $4 trillion dollars of gross life insurance worldwide. They’ve been […]

New York Life insurance is a mutual insurance company. That means that they are accountable to their customers, rather than stockholders or board of directors. They’ve been around for 175 years. They claim that no U.S. Life insurer has a higher financial strength rating than they do. They expect to pay $1.9 billion dollars out […]

Transamerica is a major name in financial services, offering everything from employee benefits to insurance. The company offers a comprehensive amount of life insurance products to choose from. Below we’ll look into those products in more detail, as well as the reputation of the company, in our Transamerica life insurance review.   Pros and Cons Life Insurance […]

If you’re a member of the AARP, or the American Association of Retired Persons, you know that there are many benefits to membership. One of them is life insurance. AARP pairs with New York Life to offer group life insurance, both term and permanent coverage.  The name AARP is somewhat misleading, as members do not […]

AIG is another big name in the insurance world. But are the company’s life insurance products right for you? Below in our AIG life insurance review, we’ll look at the products AIG offers, the company’s reputation and how the digital experience compares. Pros and Cons Life Insurance Products Offered by AIG: 95/100 Financial Strength Rating […]

Lincoln Financial Life is part of Lincoln Financial Group, “solutions that empower people to take charge of their financial lives.” They were started in 1905 by a group of businessmen from Fort Wayne, IN. They asked permission from Robert Todd Lincoln to use Abraham Lincoln’s likeness, and he agreed. Abraham Lincoln still serves as the […]

One of the most stressful events in life is getting a diagnosis of a serious illness. That is especially true for a serious diagnosis like cancer. However, thanks to more advanced treatments, survival rates for cancer are improving. All types of cancer had a 69 percent survival rate in the period between 2008 through 2014. […]

Accidental death life insurance is also referred to as accidental death and dismemberment insurance. It allows certain benefits to go to a beneficiary if a death happens from an accident. Below we’ll look more in-depth at these benefits, what some of the product features are, and who should consider it.   What is Accidental Death Life […]

Guaranteed issue life insurance is life insurance with no medical exam. It’s called guaranteed issue because everyone is accepted—it’s guaranteed.  Who is Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance For? Pros and Cons of Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance What is Graded Benefits in Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance? What to Look For in a Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance Policy? […]

Good workers are hard to find. That’s why many companies offer comprehensive benefits packages to attract top talent. One such benefit is group term life insurance. You can get term life insurance either free or at a low cost from your employer. Frequently, there is also the opportunity to purchase more insurance through payroll deductions.  […]

Term life insurance is the most popular life insurance type. Unlike permanent life insurance, term life insurance is very straightforward and easy to understand. Let’s have a deeper look at this type of insurance. What is Term Life Insurance? Common Product Features of Term Life Insurance Common Riders of Term Life Insurance Product Popular Term […]

Parents have many financial decisions to make as soon as they have a baby. How to plan for the child’s future? How will we afford college? Life insurance companies like to market to new parents because new parents are more likely to make decisions based on emotions rather than financial savvy. Is life insurance for […]

Life insurance is often known for its detailed medical exams and long forms to fill out. As such, it can be hard to find quotes. Yet there are places and policies that allow you to get quick quotes. If you’re interested in term life or final expense life insurance, you can often find quick quotes […]

Life insurance can have a reputation for being difficult to obtain unless you are perfectly healthy and live a low-risk life. However, that’s not everyone’s situation. Sometimes, your job might have certain physical risks. You might have a health condition. Or you have a thrilling hobby like mountain climbing that you just can’t part with. […]

Do you want to get life insurance, but would rather avoid the extra time and effort involved in the underwriting process? You may want to consider a life insurance policy without medical exam. What is No Medical Exam Life Insurance? Term Life Insurance Without Medical Exam Whole Life Insurance Without Medical Exam What To Be […]

Life insurance can sometimes be complicated to get at the best of times. The medical exams or health questionnaires can raise your premiums or leave you denied for coverall altogether. That can get doubly true if you’re over 70 or 80 years old when health problems could be more prevalent and your age alone can […]

Are you a military veteran who is thinking about getting life insurance? Well, you’ll find that there are many companies and nonprofits offering life insurance for veterans. These plans are available for those who have recently left the services as well as those who left years ago. Even if you are in your fifties and […]

The term “life insurance for parents” can sound a little confusing at first. Is it life insurance made for people who have kids? Actually, life insurance for parents entails buying a life insurance policy for your parents. Below we’ll look at what this all entails, when it makes sense to do this and other factors […]

Life insurance is the sort of product most people invest in because they want a certain amount of money to go to their loved ones once they pass away. However, you can actually make use of life insurance while still alive. Below we’ll look at what life insurance with living benefits all entails and whether […]

A convertible term life insurance policy is a term life insurance policy that allows you to convert to a permanent life insurance policy at a later date.  A term insurance policy is sometimes called pure life insurance, because it offers a death benefit to your heirs, but only if you die within the term of […]

One of the lesser-known components of life insurance is the cash surrender value. However, it’s still a key component. This is the amount of money that you get at certain points in the policy if you cancel. Below we’ll cover more in-depth on what you need to know about the cash surrender value of life […]

Normally the idea of life insurance is to keep it for as long as you can. This is especially true of whole life insurance and universal life insurance, which are the two types of permanent life insurance, meaning you don’t have to renew it. However, what happens if you just cannot keep the policy in […]

What is a Modified Endowment Contract? A modified endowment contract (MEC) allows you to leave a larger tax-free amount of money to your heirs with no additional costs. If you have no plans to use your life insurance money while still alive, ie. withdrawing from the cash value of your permanent life insurance policy, and […]

When it comes time to consider buying life insurance, there are a lot of things to consider. You need to figure out how much insurance you need, what type of policy, if you want any riders added. One question that will come up early on is, where you should buy life insurance? Life insurance brokers […]

You have many different companies to choose from if you’re looking for life insurance. One you may not have heard of is Globe Life, which isn’t exactly a household name on the same level as Nationwide or Northwestern Mutual. Below we’ll take a full look at this company in our Globe Life insurance review to […]

One of the trickiest parts of life insurance is trying to find it when you have an existing medical condition. Many insurance companies may deny you coverage or give you higher rates if you have health issues. However, having diabetes doesn’t mean you have to give up on getting life insurance. Below we’ll cover what […]

If you landed on this page, it’s most likely because you are looking to figure out the very basics of life insurance. Life insurance is a large concept with many different terms and products. So below we’ll look at the basics of what a life insurance policy is, which different types there are, and when […]

Protective Life insurance was founded in 1907, in Birmingham, Alabama. They offer term and permanent life insurance products. They insure all fifty states, and in 2018 they paid out 3.4 billion dollars in claims.  Pros and Cons Life Insurance Products Offered: 80/100 Financial Strength Rating: 90/100 Customer Satisfaction Rating:  70/100 Consumer Complaints Rating:  90/100 Digital […]

When a loved one commits suicide, it’s incredibly painful for their survivors. They will have dozens of questions surrounding why the person committed suicide and if there was anything they could have done. There are also more pragmatic issues at hand, one of which may be about life insurance. Does it cover death by suicide? […]

One of the areas that can seem the most convoluted about life insurance is all the riders. These are additional terms you add on to a policy that can affect how that policy operates. One example is a guaranteed insurability rider. In short, this rider allows you to purchase additional coverage in the future. Below […]

What does Selling My Life Insurance Policy Mean? How does Selling My Life Insurance Policy Work? Where to Sell My Life Insurance Policy? Can I Sell My Term Life Insurance Policy? What do You Need to Do to Sell Your Term Life Insurance Policy? Pros and Cons of Selling a Life Insurance Policy Alternatives to […]

What is Decreasing Term Life Insurance? Pros and Cons of Decreasing Term Life Insurance Decreasing Term Life Insurance vs. Level Term Life Insurance Who is Decreasing Term Life Insurance For? Decreasing Term Life Insurance Riders Companies That Sell Decreasing Term Life Insurance What is Decreasing Term Life Insurance? Decreasing term life insurance is a type […]