4 Tips to Maintaining an Ongoing Life Insurance Policy

Financial Horizons: Insights for Building Wealth and Securing Your Legacy

By Dr. Jose G. Cardenas, Chief Tax Strategist at The C & R Group, LLC

Life insurance is not a one-and-done decision. While securing a policy is a critical first step in protecting your family, maintaining that policy is just as important. Over time, your life changes—your beneficiaries may change, your financial situation may shift, and your goals may evolve. That’s why ongoing maintenance of your policy is vital. At The C & R Group, LLC, we help clients not only choose the right coverage but also build long-term strategies that ensure their policies remain effective, tax-efficient, and aligned with their legacy planning.

1. Review Your Beneficiary Options Regularly

Life doesn’t stay the same, and neither should your policy without review. Marriage, divorce, children, or even the passing of a loved one can change who should be listed as your beneficiary. Failing to update this could mean your benefit goes to the wrong person. At our firm, we help clients strategically review their beneficiary designations to ensure they match their current estate and tax planning objectives.

2. Ensure Your Beneficiary is Informed

A policy is only valuable if your loved ones know it exists and understand how to claim it. Many families have missed out on life insurance benefits because beneficiaries were left in the dark. We educate clients on how to document and communicate policies within their estate planning binders so no benefit ever goes unclaimed.

3. Set Up Automatic Payments

The number one reason people unintentionally lose coverage is missed payments. With automatic payments in place, you protect your policy from lapses. Our Expert Financial Analysis (EFA) identifies the best way to budget premiums, ensuring you remain covered without financial strain.

4. Monitor Policy Performance with In-Force Illustrations

Life insurance isn’t static—it changes with interest rates, dividends, and even loan activity. An in-force policy illustration is like a health check-up for your policy. It shows how your coverage is performing and if adjustments are needed. At The C & R Group, we provide clients with periodic reviews and apply advanced tax strategies under IRC Sections 7702 and 101(a) to maximize tax advantages while maintaining growth potential.

The Bottom Line

Maintaining your life insurance policy ensures your legacy is secure and your financial goals remain on track. With expert guidance, you can make sure your coverage works for you—not against you—over the long term.

📌 Don’t let your policy sit on autopilot. Schedule a review with The C & R Group today to ensure your coverage continues to protect what matters most.

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📅 Book a consultation with Dr. Cardenas

About the Author

Dr. Jose G. Cardenas is a retired U.S. Army Finance Officer and the Chief Tax Strategist at The C & R Group, LLC. With a Doctorate in Business Administration and over 20 years of experience in financial strategy, tax planning, and life insurance, Dr. Cardenas helps individuals and business owners protect their wealth and build a legacy. Learn more at www.thecrgroupllc.com.

📌 Disclosure

This article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as personalized legal or investment advice. Dr. Jose G. Cardenas, DBA, provides tax advisory services through The C & R Group, LLC. Insurance strategies, including Indexed Universal Life (IUL) and annuity products, may be offered through his role as a licensed financial professional affiliated with Experior Financial Group.

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