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Variable Life Insurance: A Time Bomb in a Leather Binder

by Eric Seyboldt, MBA

They were sold a dream—steady growth, tax perks, and lifelong coverage. Instead, many folks were handed a financial Frankenstein: part insurance, part risky investment, and wholly misunderstood. Variable life insurance (VLI) was pitched as a tool for the smart and successful. But in kitchens across the country, and boardrooms from coast to coast, it’s drained savings, lapsed when families needed it most, and left a trail of broken promises.

BACKSTORY: WHEN WALL STREET MET MAIN STREET
Variable life insurance exploded in the 1980s and 1990s, when interest rates were sky-high and the stock market was surging. Insurance companies, eager to stay competitive, fused life insurance with investment accounts and promised customers they could have the best of both worlds: market-driven cash growth and permanent life coverage.

It worked on paper. Slick illustrations projected sky-high returns. Sales exploded. But when markets dipped, or just didn’t soar as projected, those same policies buckled. Owners were blindsided when cash values evaporated and premiums ballooned. Even now, many boomers are only discovering the true cost (but it’s not too late to fix).

THE PROMISE: TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE?
Sure, VLI has its perks. Tax-deferred growth. Investment flexibility. A death benefit that could rise with account performance. That all sounds great—if you’ve got a fat wallet, long time horizon, and ironclad discipline.

But here’s the catch: most folks didn’t overfund the policy like they were supposed to. They just paid the minimum. And when the market underperformed? Fees kept eating. Your cash value shrank. Your costs rose. And if you weren’t watching closely, that policy quietly marched toward a cliff.

THE COSTS: DEATH BY A THOUSAND CUTS
VLI isn’t cheap. Between fund fees, mortality charges, and admin costs, you can bleed 3% or more annually—even when the market’s flat. And if your account value drops too low? You’re forced to pay more out-of-pocket or risk a total collapse—no death benefit, no savings, and a possible tax bill on phantom gains. I’ve seen retirees forced to choose between keeping their policy or paying for healthcare.

THE FAILURE: HOW GOOD FAMILIES GOT BURNED
Thousands of policyholders—especially those who trusted their advisor, set it and forgot it—now face lapsed coverage, drained values, and mounting costs. The biggest failure? VLI asks the average American to be a professional investor without telling them that’s the job.

THE FIX: ACT FAST, THINK CLEAR
If you’ve got one of these ticking time bombs, get an in-force illustration immediately. You might roll the cash value into a low-cost annuity, trade it via a 1035 exchange, or convert it into a paid-up policy if you no longer need the death benefit. You have options!

If you need coverage? Consider term life and put the savings into a Roth IRA or brokerage account. You’ll get transparency, control, and peace of mind, not a mystery box with a lock on it.

Variable life insurance isn’t evil—it’s just built for a world that never showed up. If you’re holding one now, you’re not alone. But don’t wait. You’ve got options, but they shrink with time. The sooner you act, the more control you take back. Don’t let yesterday’s promise become tomorrow’s regret.

Still Holding a Variable Life Policy? Let’s Fix That.
If you’ve got a Variable Life Insurance policy, whether it was sold to you years ago or recently, it’s time to check under the hood. These policies were pitched as smart, flexible, and market-driven. But for a lot of folks, they’ve become a financial drain that’s falling apart.

A good retirement plan shouldn’t feel like a mystery. It should be clear, cost-effective, and built to last. If you’re approaching retirement, or already in it, now’s the time to make sure your insurance strategy isn’t dragging your future or your bank account down.

Call 614-943-2265 to schedule a complimentary 10-minute consultation. No pressure. No jargon. Just a straight-up look at your options, and whether it’s time to replace that ticking time bomb with something that actually fits your goals.

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Nursing Homes vs. Assisted Living

by Eric Seyboldt, MBA

It doesn’t start with a brochure—it starts with a scare.

A fall. A forgotten stove. A neighbor is calling because the dog’s been barking for hours.

Suddenly, you’re staring down a decision you never thought you’d have to make: Does Mom need assisted living or a nursing home? It’s not just about care—it’s about cost, timing, and getting it right before something worse happens.

Client:
Eric, we don’t know what to do. Mom’s not doing great. Some days she’s sharp, some days she forgets to eat. She can’t stay home alone. Do we look at assisted living? Or is it time for a nursing home?

Eric:
You’re not alone. Most families hit this wall and don’t know which door to open. So let’s sort it out the simple way:

• Assisted living is for older adults who need help with everyday stuff—bathing, meds, meals—but they don’t need a nurse monitoring vitals around the clock. It’s like independent living with bumpers.

• Nursing homes are for people who need skilled medical care 24/7. Dementia, feeding tubes, wound care, post-stroke recovery—this is where nurses are on staff day and night, and doctors are in the loop.

Client:
Okay, but how do we know which one fits her?

Eric:
You can start by asking three questions:

1. Can she still handle most of her day with light help? If yes, assisted living might still work.

2. Is she forgetting meds or wandering off? That’s a big red flag—she’s past assisted living.

3. If she fell again tonight, who would catch her? If the answer isn’t “a nurse,” it’s time to level up care.

Client:
While it’s obviously not the top concern, I need to ask - “What’s the cost difference?”

Eric:
Here’s the brass tacks, straight from AARP and the market data:

• Assisted living: around $4,500 a month.

• Nursing home: more like $9,000–$12,000 a month.

Medicare does not cover long-term care. They’ll pay for short-term rehab after a hospital stay. Medicaid? It might help—but only if your finances are just about drained. Assisted living usually isn’t covered at all unless your state has special waivers.

Client:
What should we be asking when we tour a place?

Eric:
A good place to start would be:

• How often are residents checked?

• What’s the nurse-to-resident ratio?

• What happens if Mom’s care needs increase?

• Can she keep her own doctor?

• What would get her kicked out?

Also, show up unannounced. Morning, evening, middle of lunch—see how the place really runs.

Client:
We just want her safe, but still herself.

Eric:
That’s the whole point. This isn’t about choosing a building. It’s about protecting her future, before you run out of choices. You’re not just buying care. You’re also buying time, stability, and peace of mind for the whole family.

Don’t wait until a crisis makes the decision for you. Ask the tough questions now. Spend smart. Think ahead. Because no one should have to sacrifice dignity just to feel safe. And no family should go broke trying to do the right thing.

Want clarity on your next move?

Schedule a no-cost, 10-minute call with Eric Seyboldt at 614-943-2265. Whether it’s long-term care planning, protecting your retirement, or preparing for the next chapter—don’t leave it to chance. You’ve worked too hard to let one decision undo a lifetime of effort.

Let’s make sure what you’ve built stays protected.

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Fixed annuities can be an essential component of a well-rounded retirement strategy, offering security, predictability, and efficiency in financial planning.

These are current fixed annuity rates and their durations from Top A-rated carriers (subject to change at any time, not FDIC insured):

Rates Are Falling! Don’t Wait To Lock These Fixed Annuity Rates In Today!

3-year: 5.50% (under $100k Deposited)

3-year: 5.75% (over $100k Deposited)

5-year: 6.10% (under $100k Deposited)

5-year: 6.35% (over $100k Deposited)

7-year: 6.35% (under $100k Deposited)

7-year: 6.60% (over $100k Deposited)

Please feel free to call Eric at 614-943-2265 if you’d like to ask any questions or request information on these fixed annuities or other retirement topics that are on your mind.

REAL ASSETS, Invest Like the Ultra-Wealthy

Invest Like the Ultra-Wealthy: Why Smart Money Is Flocking to Real Assets Like Gold

Prices keep rising, the dollar’s losing ground, and central banks are still pumping cash into the system. Meanwhile, the markets are as jumpy as ever.

Smart investors aren’t waiting around. They’re doing something about it.

They’re turning to gold—not out of fear, but because it works. Gold has held its value through wars, recessions, and market crashes. It doesn’t blink when Wall Street panics.

This isn’t just about “diversifying.” It’s about protecting what you’ve built.

📌 Gold has a track record that stretches across centuries.
📌 It holds up when inflation eats away at paper money.
📌 And it’s real—something you can hold in your hand, not just watch on a screen.

When things feel shaky, gold brings something most assets can’t: peace of mind.

Even in calm markets, it adds real balance. That’s why the wealthiest people on the planet don’t treat gold as a backup plan—they treat it like a foundation.

So ask yourself:

🧠 Are you really diversified?
🧠 What if inflation sticks around longer than expected?
🧠 If the dollar slips, what in your portfolio rises?

Markets swing. Paper promises fade. Gold holds.
Make it part of your strategy before the next storm hits.

If you don’t have a good answer, it’s time for a new conversation.

Allocating funds into the asset class known as “Real Assets” may be a strategy that you should consider.

Ask us how to Rollover a portion of Your IRA or 401k To a GOLD IRA (see link below) and:

• Safeguard your assets from the collapsing dollar

• Incorporate the ‘REAL ASSET’ class into your portfolio like the ultra-wealthy

• Hedge against the current high-inflation conditions

• Protect your retirement assets against economic crises

Just get in touch. We make it easier than ever.

Feedback or Questions?

You’re invited to get in touch with us if you’d like to find out how the Novus Financial Group can help you on your journey to a happy, fulfilling life in Retirement. 

Office: 614-943-2265

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Investment advisory services are offered by duly registered individuals on behalf of CreativeOne Wealth, LLC a Registered Investment Adviser.

The content we provide here isn’t financial advice and cannot be taken as such. Please speak to your financial advisor before making any investment decision. Also, note that every investment comes with its risks and drawbacks. Lastly, we would like to remind you that past results cannot guarantee future returns.

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