It helps to know where the insurance company puts your premiums to work to understand how an uninterrupted compound interest life insurance policy can reliably build wealth.

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When it comes to financial security and control, many people seek clarity around Infinite Banking and the role life insurance plays. The idea of using whole life insurance to gain financial control, create guaranteed growth, and build generational wealth sparks curiosity about how life insurance companies actually manage the funds.

In today’s post, we’re exploring where life insurance companies invest their money.

Many people bring misconceptions into conversations about finance, especially around life insurance. They’re often convinced by past experiences or teachings that certain financial products or strategies are inherently “better.”

However, as Bruce Wehner shared recently on our podcast, one of his clients experienced a breakthrough moment—a realization about why using whole life insurance with a shorter, more limited period to pay premiums actually limited his options later.

With a longer, more flexible term, he gained more control, allowing him to maximize the power of his policy long-term. Moments, like these highlight that, sometimes, truly understanding a financial concept, requires experience.

In this blog, we’ll address these essential questions:

Where Do Life Insurance Companies Invest Their Money?

Why Not Indexed Universal Life (IUL) for Infinite Banking?

Mutual Companies vs. Mutual Holding Companies: What’s the Difference?

Is the interest on a life insurance loan variable, and can it change while there’s an outstanding loan?

Where Do Life Insurance Companies Invest Their Money?Bonds: The Foundation of StabilityMortgage-Backed Securities: Real Estate Without the RiskDerivatives: Careful Risk ManagementPolicy Loans: A Win-Win InvestmentWhy Not Indexed Universal Life (IUL) for Infinite Banking?What Infinite Banking Actually IsWhy Whole Life Wins Over IULNelson Nash's Clear PositionMutual Companies vs. Mutual Holding Companies: What’s the Difference?Mutual Holding Company StructurePractical Differences for PolicyholdersIs the interest on a life insurance loan variable, and can it change while there’s an outstanding loan?Fixed vs. Variable Interest RatesInterest Rate Caps and ProtectionHow Interest CompoundsPayment TimingWhy This Matters for Your Financial FutureBook A Strategy Call

Where Do Life Insurance Companies Invest Their Money?

One common question we hear is, “How do life insurance companies invest their money, i.e. the premiums they collect?” Understanding this can add peace of mind about how your policy will perform in the long run.

Due to stringent regulations, life insurance companies are required to invest conservatively to ensure they can always meet their policyholder obligations.

Here’s a breakdown of their primary investment allocations:

Bonds: The Foundation of Stability

Approximately 85% of a life insurance company’s assets are invested in bonds, both from U.S. Treasury and corporate issuers. Bonds provide a stable and predictable income stream, essential for meeting guaranteed cash value growth.

This massive allocation isn't by accident. Life insurance companies favor high-grade corporate bonds and government securities because they offer reliable interest payments over fixed periods. 

Unlike stocks, which can fluctuate wildly, bonds provide steady returns that allow insurance companies to make good on their promises to policyholders. 

The bond portfolio typically includes a strategic mix of short-term, medium-term, and long-term securities. This laddering strategy ensures companies maintain liquidity for immediate policyholder needs while capturing higher yields on longer-term bonds.

Mortgage-Backed Securities: Real Estate Without the Risk

Many companies also invest in highly collateralized real estate...