#137 Should Physicians Have a Whole Life Policy?

#137 Should Physicians Have a Whole Life Policy?

Author: Nate Reineke October 15, 2025 Duration: 25:52

As a young doc, it can seem like everyone has something to sell you. Many physicians can end up with a whole life policy that they don’t actually need, and that policy can have a loan against it without you really knowing what’s happening. Nate Reineke and Chelsea Jones break down why these policies are often sold in the first place, how the loans work, and how you can get out of them. They also give some suggestions on what you can do with that money once you escape the trap. We also answer your colleagues' questions. A webinar attendee asked, “Should I make a retirement budget or use 80% of my current expenses when calculating how much I need to save?” A double doc family in West Virginia says both of us work at a University and have a plan with a mandatory 6% contribution. Is this outside the $23,500 limit in 401(k)’s (or other plans)? An emergency med doctor in Tennessee wants to know if he should set up an S-Corp instead of being a sole proprietor, and if he can pay his wife a salary for the work she does to help him. A Psychiatrist in West Virginia just relocated and has some cash leftover from the sale of their home. They want to know where the best place is to put this? Are you ready to turn worries about taxes and investing into all the money you need for college and retirement? It’s time to make a plan and get on track. To find out if we’re a match visit physicianfamily.com and click get started or, you can ask a question of your own by emailing podcast@physicianfamily.com. See marketing disclosures at physicianfamily.com/disclosures


Finding a clear path through financial planning feels uniquely challenging when your career is in medicine and your heart is at home with family. The Physician Family Finances Podcast exists in that specific, demanding space. Host Nate Reineke, alongside co-host Chelsea Jones, brings their experience as Certified Financial Planner™ professionals directly to conversations with physician parents. They understand the dual pressures of managing a practice, caring for kids, and making smart long-term decisions with your earnings. Each episode moves beyond generic advice to tackle the real questions you face, from navigating student loan strategies and investment options tailored to a physician's timeline to planning for retirement without sacrificing your family's present. This isn't about quick tips; it's about building a sustainable framework that aligns with your values and goals. Tune in for a candid, practical discussion that makes complex topics like tax laws and wealth building accessible, so you can gain confidence and clarity with your finances. The entire podcast is built on the principle that securing your future should feel like an achievable part of your life's work, not an overwhelming distraction from it.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Physician Family Finances Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Should physicians hire their spouses? Fishy or fine? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:58
Some tax strategies are fishier than others. This week, you’ll hear about how things are going with Nate and his son’s development as a fisherman, and we’ll also tackle a somewhat fishy 401(k) question: can you, or SHOUL…
Fishing for Conversions: Physician Mistakes on Backdoor Roth Accounts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:03
If fishing were easy, they’d call it catching. If backdoor Roths were easy, they’d call it a loophole. Listen in as Nate Reineke and Ben Utley answer a cumbersome backdoor Roth question from a physician who fears they ma…
From Scrubs to Shrubs: A Doctor’s Guide to Financing a Home [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:52
Buying a home is hard. As a physician, you want to make sure you get the best rate, use the right type of loan, and avoid the mistakes that drag out the process. Listen in as Ben Utley and Nate Reineke dissect the comple…
Physicians, Flowers, and 403(b)s: A Mother’s Day Finance Chat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:54
Let's be real here: You spent your first 20 years of life rolling your eyes at your mom's advice and the rest of your life realizing she was right. So right now, make sure you have a table reserved (or groceries bought)…