fam...

This is the scenario I use:

Google Voice handles my voicemail instead of VZW. This allows me to retrieve, review, hear, etc. voicemails more like an inbox... The other advantage is the ability to make voice calls over data instead of using minutes (this obviously isn't a big deal in 2015 since no one really uses up minutes anymore).

Another HUGE bonus is you can use Google Voice as your universal phone number as it can be set to forward calls to multiple different phone numbers....

ie; set GV to ring your home, work, girl's house, mistresses' house, the club, etc all at the same time.... only give out your GV# and you're in biz....