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(2)
Life Insurance for Smokers: Costs, Options, and How Quitting Helps
Life Insurance for Smokers: Costs, Options, and How Quitting Helps Smoking is one of the most significant underwriting factors in life insurance. Insurers classify smokers separately from non-smokers and charge substant
How Much Life Insurance Does a Stay-at-Home Parent Need?
How Much Life Insurance Does a Stay-at-Home Parent Need? The working spouse gets the life insurance policy. The stay-at-home parent is left uninsured. This is one of the most common — and most financially dangerous — ga