- Many people mistakenly believe that they don't need to think about Life Insurance until they have children. This is FALSE. What if your spouse died tomorrow? Even with one spouse's income, would that be enough to pay off debts including credit card balances and car loans, but still cover the monthly rent and utilities bills? If you're planning to have children, it's more of a reason to purchase Life Insurance now instead of waiting. Life Insurance makes sure that your plans for the future don't die when you do.
- Most families depend on two incomes to make ends meet. If you died suddenly, could your family continue to meet all their financial obligations? Could your family continue their standard of living on your spouse's income alone? Would their plans for the future, like college tuition, stay intact?
- Nearly four in ten single parents have no Life Insurance and many with coverage say they need more than they have. With so much responsibility resting on your shoulders, it is important to ensure that you have enough Life Insurance to safeguard your children's financial future.
- Have you recently been promoted or switched jobs? Now is the time to reevaluate your Life Insurance coverage. Income and spending go hand-in-hand, when your income increases it is likely your spending does too. Updating your coverage can help ensure that your family could continue with their current lifestyle if anything were to happen.
- A common misconception among singles is that they don't need Life Insurance because no one depends on them financially. But there are exceptions. For Instance, some single people provide financial support for aging parents or a sibling with special needs. Other may be carrying significant debt that they wouldn't want to pass on to family members who survive them. Insurability is another reason to consider Life Insurance when you're single. If you're healthy and have a good family history, your insurability is at its peak and you'll be rewarded with the best rates on Life Insurance.
- So your kids have finished college and the mortgage is paid off, but that doesn't necessarily mean that you no longer need Life Insurance. If you died today, your spouse will still be faced with daily living expenses.
- Would your financial plan, without Life Insurance, enable your spouse to maintain the lifestyle you've worked so hard to achieve now and into retirement?
- Many at this age think that the need for Life Insurance has passed, but that is untrue. Your spouse could outlive you another 10 or 20 years. Proper Life Insurance coverage can help widows and widowers avoid financial struggles in retirement.
Some reasons for Life Insurance after the age of 60 are:
- Offset Loss of Retirement Income to Spouse at Death (Pension Max) Pay Costs Associated with Death
- Pay Final Expenses
- Pay Estate & Inheritance Taxes
- Pay Off Debts
- Pay Income in Respect of a Decedent Taxes on IRAs, 401(k)s etc.
- Provide For the Care of a Disabled Child, Spouse, etc.
- Offset Loss of Key Person in a Small Business
- Provide Funds on Buy Out Interests of a Deceased Business Partner or Co-Shareholder
- Dividends Can Be a Tax-Free Source of Supplemental Retirement Income
- Cash Surrender Values Can Be Wholly or Partially Annualized to Provide Additional Guaranteed Lifetime Income
- Any Unused Funds Can be Used to Provide a Gift to Grandchildren
- Provide a Gift to Charity at Death or Prior If Desired
- It Adds Flexibility to the Estate Plan
- It Allows Parents to Balance Uneven Distributions of Property or Business Interests to Children
- It Allows Parents to Spend All Their Money and Still Leave a Legacy to Their Children or Grandchildren
- It is Creditor Proof in Most States
- It Can Be Designed to Provide an "Inevitable Gain," No Matter When One Dies
- It Can Collateralize Loans. As People Live Longer, They Tend to Take on More Debt or Debt That Has a Longer Amortization (Just Look at all the Big Houses Being Built By People Who Consist of a Family of Two Post-65 Adults!)
- Offset or Help Paying End of Life Care in the Event of a Critical or Terminal Illness (ABR).
- A home is one of the most significant financial assets for most people. Life Insurance can pay for or retire a mortgage as well as spare your family and loved ones from having to move.
- Depending on the size of your estate, your heirs could be hit with an estate-tax payment of up to 45% after you die. The proceeds of a Life Insurance policy are payable immediately, allowing heirs to take care of these taxes, funeral costs and other debts without having to hastily liquidate other assets at a fraction of their true value.