Another day, another curious trend emerging on financial TikTok: influencers promoting life insurance as a superior alternative to traditional retirement accounts like 401(k)s. Can you really replace your retirement account with a life insurance policy? What’s really behind this shift, and is it sound financial advice? Let’s dive in.
The short answer: Always follow the money
At its core, this trend boils down to a simple fact: Influencers can earn commissions by selling life insurance policies. Unlike 401(k)s, which don’t offer direct monetary incentives for their promotion, life insurance sales can be quite lucrative for those with large followings. And it’s worth remembering: If financial advice sounds too good to be true, that’s probably because it is.
Life insurance and retirement accounts are comparing apples and oranges
Now for the longer answer: While both life insurance and retirement accounts play important roles in financial planning, they are intended to serve fundamentally different purposes and functions.
Purpose
401(k)s: Designed for long-term savings and investment for retirement.
Life insurance: Primarily intended to provide financial protection for beneficiaries in case of the policyholder’s death.
Tax treatment
401(k)s: Contributions are often tax-deductible, and growth is tax-deferred until withdrawal.
Life insurance: Premiums are paid with after-tax dollars, but death benefits are generally tax-free.
Investment potential
401(k)s: Offer a range of investment options, potentially leading to significant long-term growth.
Life insurance: While some policies (like whole life) have a cash value component, they typically offer lower returns compared to dedicated investment vehicles.
Accessibility
401(k)s: Funds are meant for retirement and may incur penalties if withdrawn early.
Life insurance: Cash value can sometimes be borrowed against, but this reduces the death benefit.
Why life insurance can’t replace a retirement account
While certain types of life insurance, such as whole life or universal life policies, do have an investment component, they’re generally not optimal as primary retirement savings vehicles for several reasons:
Higher fees: Insurance policies often come with significant administrative fees and commissions, which can eat into returns.
Lower returns: The investment portion of life insurance policies typically yields lower returns compared to diversified investment portfolios.
Less flexibility: Retirement accounts offer more control over investment choices and often allow for easier reallocation of assets.
Opportunity cost: Money spent on insurance premiums could potentially grow more if invested directly in the market.
The limitations of insurance as an investment
While some insurance products are marketed as investments, they come with notable drawbacks.
Complexity: Many insurance investment products are difficult for the average person to fully understand.
Illiquidity: Accessing the cash value of a policy can be challenging and may come with surrender charges or tax implications.
Limited upside: The growth potential is often capped or limited compared to direct market investments.
Tied to insurance: The investment component is inextricably linked to the insurance aspect, which may not always align with an individual’s financial needs.
Be skeptical of online financial advice
The rise of financial advice on social media platforms like TikTok highlights the need for critical thinking when it comes to money matters. Always consider whether the advice-giver stands to benefit financially from their recommendations. Plus, even well-intentioned generic advice doesn’t account for your individual circumstances, risk tolerance, or long-term goals. Complex financial topics are often distilled into catchy soundbites, potentially missing crucial nuances.
Finally, unlike traditional financial advisors, social media influencers may not be bound by the same ethical and regulatory standards. Many social media influencers lack formal financial education or certifications.
The bottom line
While life insurance plays a vital role in comprehensive financial planning, it’s not a direct substitute for dedicated retirement savings vehicles like 401(k)s. The trend of promoting life insurance over traditional retirement accounts on platforms like TikTok underscores the importance of seeking advice from qualified financial professionals and approaching online financial guidance with a healthy dose of skepticism.