One of the perennial questions is whether combining life insurance with market investments is inherently wise, or whether they are better separated. The answer varies by individual. Some appreciate the discipline of having everything under one contract, especially if they might otherwise neglect long-term investing. Others prefer the transparency and lower costs of stand-alone investing vehicles, supplemented by a simple term policy for coverage.

Part of the draw to variable universal life insurance is the integrated approach. However, if you ever feel that the insurance portion or the investment portion is no longer serving you, the entire policy might become less viable. In that sense, you are tying your insurance strategy to your investment strategy and must be comfortable with both aspects.