If someone depends on you financially, you probably need life insurance. Here are some examples of specific life stages or life events that might trigger the need for life insurance.
Married or Getting Married
Many families depend on two incomes to make ends meet. If you died suddenly, would your spouse have enough money to cover funeral costs, credit card balances, outstanding loans and daily living expenses?
A Parent or About to Become One
Raising a child is one of the most rewarding things a person can do in life. But it’s also one of the most expensive. If you died tomorrow, would your spouse or partner have the wherewithal to provide your children with the opportunities you always dreamed they’d have? From diapers to diplomas, would there be enough income to pay for daycare, a college education and everything in between? Even parents who don’t work outside the home need life insurance because they provide services that would be expensive to replace, such as childcare, transportation and managing the household. And what about single parents? They need life insurance more than anyone because their children rely on them for everything.
A Homeowner
If you’re like most people, your home is your most significant financial asset. Life insurance can be used to pay down or retire the mortgage, sparing your family from moving to a less expensive place to live. Plus, it can provide the funds needed to help family members maintain the lifestyle to which they’re accustomed.
Changing Jobs
If you’ve recently been promoted or changed jobs, it’s a good time to re-evaluate your life insurance coverage. Why? You may not realize it, but when your income rises, your spending tends to rise, too. Updating your life insurance coverage can help ensure that your family would be able to maintain its new and improved lifestyle if something were to happen to you.
Retired or Planning for Retirement
If your children are on their own and your mortgage is paid off, you might feel your need for life insurance has passed. But if you died today, your spouse or partner could outlive you by 10, 20 or 30 years. Would they have to make drastic lifestyle adjustments to make ends meet? Adequate life insurance coverage can help widows and widowers avoid financial struggles in retirement.
Single
Most single people don’t have a pressing need for life insurance because no one depends on them financially. But there are exceptions. If you’re providing financial support for aging parents or siblings, or if you’re carrying significant debt you wouldn’t want passed on to family members, you should consider life insurance.