How Illustrations Mislead on IUL Performance

Have you ever heard someone say you can use an IUL for Infinite Banking? Maybe you’ve seen a slick video online, or a persuasive advisor with charts and projections that promise you higher returns, flexible premiums, and “upside potential.” It sounds convincing—especially when you compare the numbers on an illustration. Who wouldn’t want more cash value and lower premiums? But here’s the sobering reality: when it comes to Infinite Banking, an Indexed Universal Life policy (IUL) doesn’t deliver what matters most. https://www.youtube.com/live/beR3FnHLAG4 And that’s a big problem, because Infinite Banking is not about chasing the highest return—it’s about creating a system of certainty and control. If you build your family’s financial foundation on a shifting product with no guarantees, the consequences don’t show up immediately—but when they do, they can devastate your future. I don’t say this lightly. My co-host, Bruce Wehner, has seen it firsthand. For decades, he has worked with clients who were told their Universal Life or Variable Universal Life would “never fail.” And yet, over time, those policies collapsed under rising costs, vanishing crediting, or shifting assumptions. I’ll weave some of his stories in throughout this article, because you deserve to see not just the theory, but the real-world results. Today, I want to give you clarity. I want to cut through the confusion and soundbites and show you exactly why IULs cannot serve as the foundation for Infinite Banking, and what you should do instead. What Infinite Banking Really Is (and Isn’t)Can You Use IUL for Infinite Banking?Whole Life vs. IUL: The Key Differences1. Guarantees2. Premiums3. Cash Value Growth4. Loan Provisions5. EndowmentWhy Guarantees Matter for Infinite BankingCommon Misconceptions About IUL for Infinite Banking“IULs never lose money.”“IULs have more upside.”“IULs are more flexible.”Lessons from Real PeopleThe Bigger Picture: Stewardship and LegacyThe Answer to the IUL MythBook A Strategy CallFAQ: IUL for Infinite BankingCan you use IUL for Infinite Banking?Why does Infinite Banking require Whole Life insurance?Do IULs really offer more upside?What happens if I underfund an IUL?What’s the safest way to start Infinite Banking? By the end of this article, you’ll understand: Why Infinite Banking requires certainty, control, and guarantees. How Whole Life and IUL compare—and why IUL falls short. The most common misconceptions about IUL for Infinite Banking. Real lessons from history and clients who have lived through these products. How to take the next step if you’re serious about building your own banking system. Let’s dive in. What Infinite Banking Really Is (and Isn’t) When people first hear about Infinite Banking, they often confuse it with “just buying life insurance.” Here’s the truth: Infinite Banking is not about the product. It’s about the process. At its heart, Infinite Banking is about taking control of your cash flows—those dollars that normally flow out of your life to banks, credit card companies, finance companies, and investment firms—and capturing them inside your own financial system. It’s about becoming your own banker. And that requires certainty. Infinite Banking utilizing life insurance only works if you can rely on three things: Guaranteed cash value growth – You need to know your pool of capital will increase every single year, no matter what. Guaranteed level premiums – You need to know exactly what you’ll owe, so you can plan and build discipline. Guaranteed death benefit – You need the confidence that your legacy will be secure for your family, no matter what happens. If any of those guarantees are missing, you’re not in control. You’re gambling. This is why Whole Life insurance from a mutual company has always been the proper tool for Infinite Banking. And it’s also why IUL fails the test. Can You Use IUL for Infinite Banking?