SaggyWoman
Active Member
Do you have a life insurance policy, and if so, how much?
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The standard rule of thumb is there's no rule of thumb!
If you have a high income, and you have significant debt, and your wife doesn't have your income or earning potential, and your children need college money, then 8X the income might make some sense. And if you buy Term Life insurance, you can get that much insurance cheaply. If you buy the stuff they'll twist your arm to buy, you're going to pay through the nose. A $500K term life policy costs only about $30-35 a month for a 45 year old.I've heard it said that you need 8x your annual salary. 8 times!!! Who could possibly need, or could afford that much life insurance?
I agree completely. I wish my employer offered more in the way of term life. It is really something I should look into on my own, since Jeanne is on SSDI and I have two kids who need to be taken care of. Term life does become MUCH more expensive the older you get, but keep in mind the older you get the LESS life insurance you will need.TomVols said:If you have a high income, and you have significant debt, and your wife doesn't have your income or earning potential, and your children need college money, then 8X the income might make some sense. And if you buy Term Life insurance, you can get that much insurance cheaply. If you buy the stuff they'll twist your arm to buy, you're going to pay through the nose. A $500K term life policy costs only about $30-35 a month for a 45 year old.
Again agreed. I do have a 15K whole life policy, but that is in place to cover burial expenses only. I know that once I retire (in another 35 years or so) I would not be able to afford Term Life at that point even if someone would issue a policy.TomVols said:Insurance sales is lucrative and often based on fear. Very few people need cash value or whole life. It just doesn't pay. I'm not demeaning anyone, I'm just stating something that your high commission insurance agent won't.
Agreed one more time. I have Life Insurance for my dependants from work that covers the Kids for 10K at a cost of .70 a month. This would be enough for burial expenses if something happened to them.TomVols said:Life insurance should probably be considered "Salary insurance" or "earning power insurance." You're buying it to replace the paycheck you would've earned for a period of time. As such, I hate to rain on anyone's parade, but don't buy baby insurance! Gerber and others make a fortune every year through these little ads in the Sunday paper, again, preying on your fears. These policies often leave you upside down (You pay more in premiums than the policies are worth).
Very few people need cash value or whole life. It just doesn't pay.
This would be enough for burial expenses if something happened to them.
TomVols said:Life insurance should probably be considered "Salary insurance" or "earning power insurance." You're buying it to replace the paycheck you would've earned for a period of time. :jesus: quote]
Very good point. How much you purchase should be based on the current and future expenses of your family. Here are some good questions to answer. Are you married? Does your spouse work outside the home? Do you have children, and if so, how old are they? Do they attend a private school? How will you pay for college? Are you still paying a mortgage? What are your monthly expenses? How much will this change after you are gone?
Buying sufficient life insurance is one of the most thoughtful things one can do for one's family. We have a friend whose spouse recently passed away and had little or no life insurance. Unfortunately, their financial burdens are staggering.
Based on your needs, one times salary may be enough (though that is rare) and eight times may not be enough. I know we all hate (OK, extremely dislike) insurance salesman. However, spending time with someone going over your needs is a very useful thing to do.
JamieinNH said:I also have a 30yo Term policy for $250k which will cover my house if I die.
KenH said:I also have a policy that I pay for in my monthly mortgage note that pays off my house mortgage in case I kick the bucket before it is paid off.
JamieinNH said:I looked over those also, before I got this policy. There were a couple of problems I found with them one being that the policy was tied to that mortage. Also, if you refinaced then you would have to get a new policy. At least that was with the ones I looked over.
Also, I went with a term life policy because it gives you the option to not pay off the house but rather pay off other bills or just blow the money on candy!I liked them having options if and when that time came.
I don't know... I did look over those but deceided that a term policy would work better in our circumstance.
Jamie
SaggyWoman said:Do you have a life insurance policy, and if so, how much?