We step back from “term good, perm bad” and map the real trade‑offs of permanent life insurance. We explain whole life, UL, VUL, IUL, and GUL, where they fit, where they fail, and how to avoid sales traps by matching the product to the problem.

• term versus permanent: cost, certainty, purpose
• whole life guarantees and steady cash value
• universal life flexibility and moving parts
• variable UL market exposure and premium risk
• indexed UL caps, floors, and illustration pitfalls
• guaranteed UL for low‑cost permanent death benefit
• permanent needs: special‑needs care, legacy, liquidity
• tax angles: income‑tax‑free death benefit, tax‑deferred cash value
• sales tactics to question and fee awareness
• what to do with an existing policy: keep, reduce, exchange, gift, sell
• guardrails: right sizing, clear goals, realistic expectations