Until recently, Ken and I both just had the standard life insurance through work. It felt like enough at the time—basic coverage we never really questioned. But once we started thinking long term (especially with kids, real estate, and future goals in the picture), we realized it might not be.

We each ended up adding a 20-year term life policy for $2 million. It felt like the right move for where we are in life—coverage we can rely on if something unexpected happens, and peace of mind that our family and investments won’t be left in a scramble.

But now we’re thinking about the next layer: flexibility.

We’ve been learning about a GLOC- Guaranteed Line of Credit. This is where you (or rather people who know how to do these things) convert part of a life insurance policy into something that could actually be used as a funding source down the road. In other words, a potential way to tap into the value of that policy to invest in future properties or other goals, while still maintaining protection.

What’s interesting is how the GLOC strategy works. If structured right, you can borrow against the policy and use the funds without it being considered taxable income. You’re essentially paying yourself back, so there’s no bank involved, and it doesn’t count against your debt-to-income ratio. The death benefit stays intact, and the cash value keeps growing in the background. It’s a long-term play, but it could be a powerful tool for investors who want access to capital without taking on new debt.

We’re still in research mode, but it’s been eye-opening to realize that life insurance can be more than just a safety net. Done right, it might be another tool for building, not just protecting. And just like, life insurance is interesting (at least to me).