Life insurance is an extremely important product that should be a part of EVERYONE’S #buildwealth plan. Here are some common frequently asked questions as it relates to life insurance.
How much life insurance should I own?
There is no single right answer! Some experts will recommend that you have an amount that is equal to 6 – 10 times your annual gross salary. Others say you should opt to have 2 times your annual gross salary. Coverage amounts are individual and certainly not “one size fits all.” The really nail down how much, it’s best that you meet with a financial professional and complete a personal needs analysis.
When should I review my current coverage?
Your situation has probably changed since you first purchased your life insurance policy. If something were to happen to you today, would your family have enough coverage? Generally, it’s recommended that you meet with your financial professional once a year, however, if you have done any of the following since you purchased your policy, you should review your coverage as soon as possible:
· Purchased a home
· Had a child
· Married, divorced or become widowed
· Changed jobs
· Taken out a large loan
· Started a retirement or college fund
· Started your own business
· Began caring for an elderly relative
I already own life insurance, should I purchase life insurance on my spouse?
If your spouse contributes to the family’s annual income, then he or she should have adequate life insurance coverage to help replace his or her income in the event of their death. If you spouse does not earn an income, life insurance can still play an important role in helping to pay for valuable services he or she provides; for example, providing child care, elder care, maintaining the home and running the household. Make sure to meet with a financial professional, who can help you determine the proper amount via a personal needs analysis.
Should I purchase life insurance on my child?
Some people scoff at the idea of purchasing a policy on their child but there are a few reasons you may want to consider it:
1. You can generally purchase life insurance at the lowest possible premium. If your child were to purchase the same amount of coverage when he or she becomes an adult, the annual cost would generally be much higher
2. You can help ensure that he or she has life insurance protection for life. If the child develops health problems as an adult, he or she could become uninsurable and may not be able to obtain life insurance coverage. In some families, a grandparent purchases a life insurance policy for the child. Also, keep in mind that some states limit the amount of life insurance that can be purchased on minors.
3. While it’s not a popular option that is widely discussed, some people decide to purchase life insurance on a child to save money for their college education or some other use. Permanent life insurance policies build cash value, and over time, this could grow into a substantial amount of money.
Do I need individual life insurance if I have group life insurance through my job?
YES! Participating in our group life insurance is a good idea because you may be able to receive life insurance at a lower, group rate. If your group coverage is convertible – meaning, when you leave the company you can convert it to an individual policy without evidence of insurability – the individual policy you convert will generally have high premium cost compared to other policies. If your group coverage ends, you can apply for a new policy, especially if your healthy. Otherwise, you may not qualify or may have to pay higher premiums depending on your age and health status. Group life insurance my not provide an adequate amount of death benefit to meet all of your needs.
Consider supplementing your group policy with an individual policy. An individual policy is one that you own, thus it isn’t tied to your employer and you won’t have to worry about your premiums rising every year. With a n individual policy, you won’t need to wonder whether you still qualify every year or if you will lose your life insurance if you change jobs or get laid off. It’s insurance coverage that stays with you.
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