IUL vs 401k for Retirement: The Comparison Your Financial Advisor Has Never Actually Run
Michael TrefelPublished on: 18/06/2026
Everyone says max your 401k. Almost nobody shows you the full comparison. This post runs the IUL vs 401k math across four layers most advisors never address, and the results are not what conventional wisdom suggests.
IUL vs 401k retirementdeath benefitmutual fundsIUL policiesfinancial advisorroth iraordinary incomeretirement savingsIUL policytaxable incomepolicy loansstock market indexcash value componenttype of permanent life insurancecash value accountinsurance companytax advantagesretirement accountmarket riskpre-tax dollarsgrowth potentialtax ratesfinancial planningafter-tax dollarsinvestment optionshigh-income earnersmax-funded IULtax-free retirement incometerm life insuranceinsurance companiesbusiness ownerslife insurance coverageearly yearsemployer matchIUL premiumlower tax bracketcash value growthIUL cash valuemarket downturnsguaranteed minimum interest rateadministrative feespolicy designindex fundsemployer-sponsored retirement planlife insurance policiestax benefitscost of insurancehigher tax bracketrequired minimum distributionsmarket lossesearly withdrawal penaltiestax-free distributionsmarket performance