How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?

To answer this question, you must first answer several related questions. How big a financial burden would your death leave for others to deal with? How much of your salary is devoted to current expenses and future needs? How long would your dependents need support if you were to die tomorrow? How much would it cost to pay all of your final expenses?

When determining your life insurance need, you’ll need to consider your life stage and circumstances. Marital status, number of dependents, size and nature of financial obligations, career stage, and your intentions to pass on your property are all important factors you’ll want to think about. Your need for life insurance changes as the circumstances of your life change. For example, you may be able to reduce the amount of life insurance coverage that you have once your children have grown and are on their own.

There are several methods you can use to calculate the appropriate level of insurance for you and your situation. Although they all share common features, some methods strive to be more simplistic, such as the income replacement method and rules of thumb. Others, such as the family needs approach and the capital needs method, involve more sophisticated calculations. You may want to investigate these methods and do some preliminary calculations to provide a basis for possible discussions with your financial planner.

Keep in mind that the worst mistake you can make concerning life insurance is to have a need and not have the insurance to cover that need. Having too little (or even too much) insurance can also be a problem. Proper insurance planning can provide peace of mind for you, as well as protection for those you care about.

The cost and availability of life insurance depend on factors such as age, health, and the type and amount of insurance purchased. There are expenses associated with the purchase of life insurance. Policies commonly have mortality and expense charges. In addition, if a policy is surrendered prematurely there may be surrender charges and income tax implications. Any guarantees are contingent on the claims-paying ability and financial strength of the issuing insurance company.

How Can a Financial Advisor Help?

A financial advisor is able to assess your life insurance needs while considering your entire financial picture. They’ll talk through your current living expenses, what you’d like to provide your family, and explain the different types of life insurance for all budgets and stages of life. Most importantly, a financial advisor will establish periodic reviews to ensure that your life insurance policy is still meeting your needs. Major life events like buying a home, marriage or divorce, or having or adopting a child can affect your goals, and it’s important to re-assess your insurance needs as life changes occur. Schedule your complimentary review today!

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Prepared by Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. Copyright 2019

* Non-deposit investment products and services are offered through CUSO Financial Services, L.P. (“CFS”), a registered broker-dealer (Member FINRA/SIPC) and SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Products offered through CFS: are not NCUA/NCUSIF or otherwise federally insured, are not guarantees or obligations of the Credit Union, and may involve investment risk including possible loss of principal. Investment Representatives are registered through CFS. UMassFive College Federal Credit Union has contracted with CFS to make non-deposit investment products and services available to Credit Union members. CUSO Financial Services, L.P. (CFS) and its Registered Representatives do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should always check with their tax advisor before engaging in any transaction involving IRAs or tax-advantaged investments. Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. does not provide investment, tax, or legal advice. The information presented here is not specific to any individual’s personal circumstances. To the extent that this material concerns tax matters, it is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by a taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed by law. Each taxpayer should seek independent advice from a tax professional based on his or her individual circumstances.