Final answer:
Whole life insurance, which is often considered a poor investment product, combines a death benefit with a cash value component that accrues over time, but is considered below par when compared to other investment options.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase '"...is one of the worst investment products on the market today." refers to whole life insurance, also known as cash-value insurance. Whole life insurance is a type of life insurance policy that includes a death benefit and a savings component referred to as the cash value. Over time, this cash value accumulates and can be used by the policyholder for various needs, possibly even as a form of investment. However, these policies are often critiqued because they can be significantly more expensive than term life insurance and the returns on the investment component may not be as competitive when compared to other investment vehicles.