The PULSE Check
A five-part conversation framework for life insurance policy reviews.
Most policy reviews get stuck in the illustration. PULSE gives advisors a clearer way to focus the conversation: five review points built around the numbers that show whether a policy is still funded, durable, and aligned with the client's expectations.
Use the playbook on its own as a policy review conversation framework, or alongside a PolicyReview report to turn the numbers, risk factors, and suggested next steps into a clearer client discussion.
The Five Parts of PULSE
Each PULSE part starts with a core policy number, then turns it into a conversation trigger and a client question you can use in the meeting.
Premium Fit
Scheduled premium vs. what the policy actually needs to stay on track.
“When was the last time we checked whether your premium is still at the level your policy needs?”
Upside Dependency
The gap between illustrated and guaranteed values, and how much the outcome depends on non-guaranteed assumptions.
“Your policy's projected value and its guaranteed value may be very different numbers. Let's look at how wide that gap is and what it means.”
Longevity
How long coverage is guaranteed to last, not just how long it is illustrated to last.
“Your coverage may be illustrated to last your entire life, but how long is it guaranteed, and when does any no-lapse protection end?”
Surplus Ratio
Cash value or surrender value relative to total premiums paid.
“How much value has this policy built relative to what has been paid in, and how much is actually accessible?”
Edge to MEC
How close the premium is to the IRS Modified Endowment Contract limit.
“Your premium may be closer than you think to an IRS limit that would permanently change how this policy is taxed. Let's make sure there's enough margin.”
From Conversation Framework to PolicyReview Workflow
The PULSE Check teaches advisors what to look for and why it matters. PolicyReview, the analysis engine inside Insurance Planner AI Professional, surfaces the core PULSE inputs from a carrier illustration and organizes them into a structured review report.
Upload a life insurance illustration. Receive a structured review with a Policy Health Score, key metrics, rider analysis, 10-year projection, risk assessment, and two-path suggested next steps. Minutes, not hours.
Core PULSE inputs, scored and contextualized
Premium adequacy, projection spread, guaranteed duration, premium recovery, and MEC proximity are organized within the PolicyReview report.
Built for permanent life policy reviews
Designed for IUL, UL, WL, VUL, and GUL illustrations, with carrier-agnostic analysis across permanent life products.
Structured next steps
PolicyReview organizes findings into two paths: what to consider if the client keeps the current policy, and what may warrant further review. PULSE helps translate those findings into retain, optimize, exchange, or expand conversations.
Four Review Outcomes
The PULSE Check does not tell the advisor what to do. It clarifies what conversation should happen next. After the five review points are considered, the conversation usually falls into one of four practical paths.
Retain
The numbers are within acceptable ranges for the policy type and planning horizon. Document the review, confirm the policy is being monitored, and reinforce client confidence.
Optimize
One or two numbers need attention, but the issue may be addressed within the current policy structure. Identify service-based adjustments such as premium timing, guarantee protection, rider planning, or funding pattern review.
Exchange
The policy's longevity gap or assumption dependency appears wider than the client's situation allows. Evaluate alternatives through a documented, side-by-side review process before any replacement discussion.
Expand
The review surfaces a coverage, rider, estate, income, or care-planning gap the current policy does not fully address. Frame the next planning conversation around a documented client need, not a product pitch.
The PULSE Check is an educational conversation framework published by Financial Planner AI, LLC. It is not financial, legal, tax, insurance, or suitability advice and does not recommend maintaining, modifying, replacing, or surrendering any policy. Insurance Planner AI Professional organizes information from carrier illustrations to support professional review. Advisors should review all outputs alongside the carrier illustration, policy contract, and client-specific facts.