James Whitfield
Lead Reviewer & Analyst
CLU Candidate, Former Actuarial Analyst
James Whitfield is a CLU candidate and former actuarial analyst at MetLife who now writes about life insurance from a data-first perspective. His actuarial background lets him decode the pricing models behind term rates and explain why the same applicant gets wildly different quotes from different carriers. James specializes in retirement planning intersections — how life insurance fits into Social Security timing, estate planning, and long-term care strategies.
Articles by James Whitfield(12)
Haven Life Policy in 2026: Who Services It Now and How to Reach MassMutual
Haven Life stopped taking new applications in January 2024. MassMutual services existing Haven Life policies, which were issued by MassMutual or C.M. Life. How to reach MassMutual, keep the policy in force and handle renewal or a claim.
Haven Life vs Ladder in 2026: Only Ladder Still Sells. Here's What It Offers Now
Haven Life stopped accepting new applications in January 2024, so a 2026 buyer can apply to Ladder but not Haven Life. What Ladder's own pages say about exams, coverage, terms, insurers and New York, set against what Haven Term was.
Employer Life Insurance vs Individual Policy: Why Group Coverage Is Not Enough
Life Insurance for Single Parents: How Much Do You Really Need?
Life Insurance for High-Risk Occupations: What to Expect
Term Life Insurance Buying Guide: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough
How Long Does It Take to Get Life Insurance? (By Policy Type)
Life Insurance With Anxiety or Depression: What You Need to Know
Savor Folio Document Organizer Review: The Binder Every Beneficiary Needs
The Folio is a pre-labeled estate-document binder designed to be handed to a surviving spouse or executor — removes the where-are-the-papers crisis.
The Wealthy Barber Returns Review: 20 Years Later, Still the Best PF Teacher
David Chilton's follow-up is the rare personal-finance sequel that improves on the original — concrete, low-jargon, and genuinely funny about a dry subject.
The Consumer's Guide to Life Insurance Review: Term vs. Perm, Demystified
Kanishia Wallace's guide goes deeper than a primer — the term vs. permanent comparison is the clearest treatment of IUL and whole life pitfalls we've seen in print.
Living Trusts, Wills & Estate Planning for Seniors Review: A 3-in-1 DIY Reference
Garrett Monroe's consolidated guide covers the three estate documents most seniors actually need — and explains when a DIY approach is and isn't appropriate.