How to use life insurance to save tax and build wealth

Most people think of life insurance purely as a death benefit, but certain permanent policies can also serve as a tax-sheltered place to build value over a lifetime. This explainer opens up that wider role. Inside a participating or permanent policy, cash value can grow on a tax-advantaged basis, and the piece looks at how that fits into estate planning, how it can function as a long-term investment vehicle, and how some people draw on it later to supplement retirement income. The thinking is even-handed about the trade-offs, since these are complex, long-horizon products with real costs, not a shortcut, and they suit some situations far better than others. It tends to be most relevant to people who've filled their registered room, business owners, and those focused on passing wealth efficiently to the next generation.