Publications & Insights

5/15/26

High-Net-Worth (Individual) Private Placement Life Insurance Market Report (3rd Edition 2026)

The use of private placement variable universal life insurance (“PPLI”) to provide tax-efficient death benefit protection and cash value accumulation potential using unique underlying investment options within an institutionally priced policy has grown since its initial application in the 1990s.

Today, adoption of PPLI as a planning tool has continued to accelerated because of legislative changes taking effect in 2021 that modified the formula used to test for the statutory definition of life insurance, which has enhanced policy performance potential in certain design applications, the persistence of favorable tax laws applicable to trusts and estates, and an evolving landscape of policy investment options.

4/22/26

Case Study Series

Provide Multi-Generational Liquidity For Estate Taxes

Estate taxes can have a substantial impact when planning for multi-generational liquidity. By utilizing Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI) as part of a wealth transfer strategy, you can achieve tax-advantaged growth, allowing accumulated policy values to pass to heirs tax-free.

PPLI can maximize wealth transfer, helping to ensure long-term financial goals for future generations.

4/9/2026

The Fundamentals Of Life Insurance

Life insurance is an essential component of financial planning. It serves multiple purposes:

◼ Capital creation to replace loss of earned income
◼ Business succession planning to protect enterprise value
◼ Wealth transfer to deliver liquidity and preserve assets
◼ Tax mitigation to reduce the drag of income-tax
◼ Amplify charitable giving

This document provides an overview of life insurance and identifies its fundamental components.

Page 3: Mortality
Page 4: Understanding Term Insurance
Page 5: Understanding Permanent Insurance
Page 6: The Impact of “Net Amount at Risk”
Page 7: Maximizing Death Benefit
Page 8: Maximizing Cash Value
Page 9: The 7 Factors That Determine Premium
Page 10: Permanent Insurance—Product Risk Comparison

3/28/26

A Q&A with Dave Reynolds, CMO, Spearhead Administrative Services

Dave Reynolds of Spearhead and Jordon Katz of JR KATZ sat down to discuss the notable expansion of PPI and the investment platforms.

Dave brings more than 15 years of financial services experience across capital raising, IDF and SMA formation and structuring, and the implementation of PPLI and PPVA solutions for ultra-high-net-worth and family office clients. He has seen this market from multiple angles and brings a thoughtful, practical perspective on where it has been and where it’s going.

10/25/25

A Q&A with Jay Judas, Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI) consultant

Jordon Katz interviewed Jay Judas on the changing landscape of Private Placement Insurance (PPI).

Jordon and Jay each have over 20 years in the PPI marketplace, working with family offices, advisors, and the UHNW.

In 2000, Jordon helped construct one of the first IDFs for a proprietary PPLI solution and continues to help investment advisors implement SMA programs.

1/29/24

Term Conversion Rights:

Preserving Optionality and Flexibility

Term life insurance policies typically include a provision that allows the coverage to be converted to permanent insurance at the same risk classification as when the term policy was acquired. Because medical underwriting is not required, this conversion privilege may be valuable and provides planning flexibility.

The importance is increased if the client’s health deteriorates and new insurance cannot be acquired or would be cost-prohibitive

10/3/22

Partnership and Transparency:

Partnering with your Family and Advisors to Deliver Alpha

Our clients often have complex financial objectives and business needs.

Having worked with affluent families for more than four decades, the JR KATZ process is rooted in a collaborative approach with the client and their team of advisors. Our sole focus is what is in the best interest of our clients. We do not represent insurance companies; we do not focus on product; and we do not pretend to be something that we are not.

3/1/22

Mitigating Market Volatility with Downside Protection

Buffer Annuities allow clients to secure guaranteed levels of protection against market losses while still providing the potential to capture compelling returns in a rising market environment.

Advisors are increasingly turning to these structures to protect clients from volatility while still providing an opportunity for meaningful growth.

9/2/21

Succession and Legacy Planning for Business Owners

Critical to preserving a family’s legacy may be the implementation of a comprehensive succession plan. Family businesses, businesses with non-related owners and family offices need to address the various contingencies impacting success.

5/15/21

Recent Tax Proposals: Which of the Following Tax Proposals will become Law?

In this high-level overview, we focus on the tax proposals that could significantly impact our clients and their planning.

Estate Taxes: The “For the 99.5% Act” proposes significant changes to the current estate tax regime beginning on 1/1/22.

Step-Up In Basis: Several Democratic Senators have proposed eliminating the step-up in basis for unrealized gains greater than $1M.

Income Taxes and More: The Biden administration has floated proposals which would increase taxes on wages, investments and payroll for those making more than $400k per year.

10/19/20

FAQ - Protection from Market Losses and Market Volatility

In this FAQ, we focus on Buffered Annuities which allow the client to secure guaranteed levels of protection against market losses while still providing the potential the potential to capture compelling returns in a rising market environment.

Given the current low yield fixed income environment, advisors are increasing turning to these structures to protect clients from volatility while still providing an opportunity for meaningful growth.

8/20/20

FAQ - Tax Efficient Investing in a Rising Tax Environment

In this piece, we turn our attention to concerns that future income and estate taxes will increase and how clients can invest in a more tax efficient manner in this environment.

The most powerful force in tax planning is tax-free compounding. A properly structured life insurance policy has four distinct tax advantages:

Potential cash accumulation without a taxable event;
Non-taxable disbursements;
All gains are converted into an income tax-free death benefit; and
If owned by an irrevocable trust, it will be the sole trust asset that will receive a step-up in basis at the grantor/insured’s death

7/15/20

FAQ - Adapt to Changing Circumstances in the Current Interest Rate Environment

The current low interest rate environment makes it imperative for clients to have their life insurance policies reviewed.

Life insurance companies are not immune from the impact of lower bond yields.

The cornerstone of a life insurance advisory practice should be a management process which regularly monitors product performance and responds to changing client circumstances.