Q. How long do I need protection?
A. The number of years' coverage you need
depends on several things, but the most basic consideration is how
long you expect your beneficiaries to be dependent upon your income.
If your spouse is your beneficiary, you should consider being
covered until you plan to retire. If it's your children, you'll
probably want to protect them until they're 18 or finish college. To
cover a mortgage, choose a policy that will be in place for at least
the length of the loan. Depending on your age, you can purchase
policies guaranteed for 10, 15, 20, or even 30 years.
Q.
Should I get coverage for my spouse?
A. The need for Term
Life coverage applies equally to income-earning spouses, and there
are strong arguments for acquiring life insurance for a partner who
is not drawing an income as well. For instance, losing a
stay-at-home spouse can lead to dramatically increased child-care
costs, time away from work for the surviving spouse, final expenses,
the settling of outstanding debts, and these are just the financial
aspects of such a serious loss. The rule of thumb is to get at least
50 percent of the term life coverage for a stay-at-home spouse as
for the primary breadwinner.
Q. Should I get a policy for my kids?
A. None of the companies we represent
offers separate policies for children, but many do have inexpensive
'child riders'. Usually, for one flat fee applied to the parents'
coverage, each of your children (current and future) can be covered
for up to $10,000. Ask your personal representative about the
options available in your state.
Q. How much Term Life Insurance do I need?
A. Since life insurance replaces lost
income if something happens to you, the proceeds from your policy
should be enough to cover immediate expenses as well as to provide
continuous income for your beneficiaries. Most financial planners
recommend coverage that's 5 to 10 times your annual income. For
example, if you make $50,000, you might consider coverage between
$400,000 and $600,000. If you're younger and just starting a family,
you might need as much as 15 times your income to allow for salary
increases. Since individual needs vary, we recommend that you speak
to one of our licensed agents to help you determine what's right for
you. We also recommend you consult your attorney or financial
advisor for professional legal, tax and financial planning advice.