Look Before You LIRP: Why All Life Insurance Retirement Plans Are Not Created Equal, and How to Find the Right One for You

My name is Randall Ware. I have read both of David McKnight's books. The Look Before You LIRP book is absolutely awesome! Every year the company I'm affiliated with host a convention in Las Vegas, because of David McKnight's Look Before You LIRP, I had the best convention ever. For the first time ever my team and myself where not just getting IUL information from the different vendors - who just tell you the highlights of their IUL plan - we were able to engage with real questions about those carriers products. One product provider was so thrown off by our question that he had to pull out his laptop to ensure that he gave us the correct answer. I totally respected that provider for that! My team and myself felt so EMPOWERED! Thank you so much for writing such a great book. The illustrations helped my team and I grasp the concepts you shared in the book. Especially me since I am a visual learner lol! I was one of the first to buy your book on the first day it was released! I read the first book and I really liked that it gave a balanced and unbiased view of each financial bucket (tax now, tax later, tax never). I just got your email about becoming a contributing writer for lifehealthpro.com and I can't wait to see what you have to share!

This second book by David McKnight, "Look Before You LIRP," helps to demystify what to me is at once the best, and the most under-utilized tool available in retirement planning. I am like most financial advisors in that my introduction to retirement planning focused almost exclusively on stock market-based strategies. We were not taught to plan for the increasing risk that today’s retirees face of higher tax rates (in fact, potentially dramatic tax increases). The LIRP strategy was never on my radar … not in the finance classes, the licensing exams, and definitely not in the brokerage training. Based on solid, dependable insurance concepts, the LIRP is simply not widely understood in the securities industry. In his first book, "The Power of Zero," McKnight compellingly presented the case for addressing three risk areas that could upend a traditional retirement plan: market risk, higher taxation (what McKnight terms “legislative risk”), and higher healthcare costs, particularly for long term care. And now, in "Look Before You LIRP," McKnight takes us under the hood of the LIRP, describing in detail how to find the most suitable combination of features for an effective LIRP strategy. Written in an accessible, conversational style, this book can be easily understood by the client, and even the most seasoned professional will learn new things. I know I did.

David McKnight's book continues the conversation of planning for retirement on purpose! "Look Before You LIRP", is an excellent guide to evaluating what to look for when considering using a life insurance policy to assist in funding your retirement. A great deal of thought has gone into the book to come with what questions and concerns the consumer should have when looking to make insurance a piece of their retirement planning. Thought provoking to say the least. I recommend this read to anyone considering the purchase of cash value insurance. It is an easy and quick read. Thank you David for continuing to dive deeper inside retirement planning and the proper use of life insurance strategies in a diverse retirement plan. Well done!

Hi all - I'm a 35 year old physician, just starting to think about future-planning over the past year. The Power of Zero is perhaps one of the best (and most convincing) finance books that I've ever read, and definitely got me to change some of my core investment strategies. I wholeheartedly believe David's central thrust in that book, which is to say that by the time my wife and I retire, our tax % (even during a 'lower income' phase of live) will be higher than they are now. We're now maxing out our backdoor Roths, and naturally looked next to the possibility of a LIRP. "Look" is also well written and delivers a convincing set of arguments for the merits of a LIRP IUL, and warnings that 'all LIRPs are not created equally' and that one should really consider multiple plans carefully before committing to one. It's pretty obvious that David cannot endorse one specific plan or another... BUT: have any of the other readers of this book developed a 'short list' of THE BEST overall LIRP IUL plans which fill all of David's criteria. Has anyone done the leg work and found great SPECIFIC LIRP IUL plans that are safe, productive, have very low fees, feature cost-free distributions (eg no delta between interest rate on what you 'borrow' from the LIRP and what you 'owe' the LIRP), and offer a robust Long-Term Care Rider? Would you care to name them here? If anyone without a vested interest (eg non-insurance salesmen) is able to reply to this query, it would really help me (and other Amazon review readers) turn the valuable info within "Look" into effective action! Thanks in advance :)

Excellent book on the subject of using the proper UIL contract for a LIRP concept. David has a way of taking the seeminly complexed and reducing it down to a level that the common man can understand. I've had the privilege of personally meeting David about a year ago to talk to him regarding his first book, "The Power of Zero". I was so excited about that book, that I got on plane from Dallas to Iowa to meet with him, something I've never done with any other book I've ever read. As a CPA, I'm constantly looking for way's to reduce or eliminate taxes for my clients. I never really understood how any kind of cash-value type life insurance program could help out in this regard until I met David. Now, with this latest book, "Look Before you LIRP", it's abundently clear that it matters which life insurance progam you choose. Great job.

Today because there are so many options and consumer product companies like Apple. Microsoft, Google have gotten so good creating the desirable product like Tesla,,,, and when that meets consumer finance.... stepping into debt.. is ten times as easy today than it was 10 20 40 years ago. A I phone can cost a 1000 dollars somebody making 25000 dollars a year won’t think twice about getting it. It could be 15 percent of their disposable income. marketing is so good at consumer finance that the debt just comes to you don’t have to seek it out. A simple nod of the head can create 10,000 dollars in debt in 30 days. A couch , a car, a I phone now you’re in the Salt mines of the U S economy. David Mcknight's Book Look before you LIRP can really help you uncover the reasons why insurance gets a bad rap its a must read for any one interested in protecting their financial wealth and learning the power of insurance. Lets use common sense who do you pay your bills too ? Health insurance, Car Insurance , Dental Insurance, Eye Insurance any others do you understand insurance? Who has all the money? My challenge to you is to get a second look at your goals and see if they are inline with your expectations. Why do most people get friends and family members involved with questions about who should we use for a plumber, Lawn cutter, Doctor etc and don't tale the time to learn about the income they make for their families. You need all that income for your family and for healthcare don:t waste it. David Duncan RN Risk Advisor Wealthy and Wise producer CA insurance License OI16361

David McKnight's book explains in clear, understandable language the benefits of a life insurance retirement plan. LIRP's provide safety as well as a productive way to save for a tax free retirement. However, not all LIRP's are the same. David points out the criteria for a good LIRP. This includes low fees, reasonable growth potential, guaranteed loan provisions, and provisions for long term care. David dispels the myths that have grown up around the LIRP which are largely based on misunderstandings by those with limited knowledge on how LIRP's really work. In short, David's book is an outstanding consumer guide for anyone considering purchasing an LIRP.

Thank you, David, for an excellent follow-up read to The Power of Zero, featuring an honest and educational assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of what is arguably the most important financial tool of them all. If there was any chapter in "Zero" that may have warranted further explanation, it was the chapter about the LIRP. This book completes the task; once again leading the reader step-by-step through the process of finding the safest and most suitable mate for long-lasting financial happiness. David, now that the IRS and Treasury have blessed the QLAC, I'm hopeful that you will consider updating "Zero" to explain how to employ this technique to push back mandatory RMDs and help "Zero" loyalists navigate their way to the Promised Land!