Category: Life Insurance

September is National Life Insurance Awareness Month, making it an ideal time to explore insurance options or review your current coverage. Life insurance* proceeds can provide a financial lifeline for loved ones if something happens to you. The type of policy you choose may depend on how long you’ll need coverage and on the policy’s cost.

TERM INSURANCE

Term insurance provides coverage for a set period, typically 10 to 30 years, though shorter and longer terms are also available. If you die during the term, the policy pays a death benefit to your beneficiaries. A term policy has no cash value. It is less expensive than permanent insurance and may be a good choice if others depend on your income.

PERMANENT INSURANCE

Permanent insurance generally remains in effect as long as you continue paying premiums. In addition to the death benefit, the policy builds cash value over time. Permanent insurance is a good option if you want lifetime coverage, access to the policy’s cash value through withdrawals or loans, and are comfortable with higher premiums. Review all your options to help you choose the right policy for your circumstances.

_{*Applications for life insurance are subject to underwriting. No insurance coverage exists unless the required premium is paid to put an issued policy in force. Accessing cash values may reduce the death benefit and policy values, trigger tax consequences, surrender fees, and charges, and may require additional premium payments to maintain the contract. Guarantees are based on the claims-paying ability of the issuer.}

QUESTION:

What are the various options for life insurance?

ANSWER:

Life insurance options suit varied needs. Term life covers a set period, like 10 or 20 years, ideal for temporary needs like mortgages, with affordable premiums. Whole life offers lifelong coverage and a growing cash value, perfect for permanent protection and savings. Universal life provides flexible premiums and death benefits with cash value, great for long-term planning. Variable life allows investing in stocks or bonds, offering growth potential but higher risk.

Consult your advisor to choose the best option for your financial goals.

Life insurance, often referred to as “love insurance” is a crucial aspect of financial planning, offering essential protection for individuals and their families.

Its primary role is to provide a safety net in the event of an untimely death, helping loved ones manage financial responsibilities like mortgage payments, debts, and education costs. However, life insurance is not just for personal security; it can also serve as an important tool for business owners.

PROTECTING YOUR BUSINESS

For business owners, life insurance can be used to protect both the company and the family. A key person life insurance policy can help cover the loss of a critical employee or owner, providing the business with financial stability to weather the transition. In the case of a partnership, buy-sell agreements funded by life insurance allow surviving partners to buy out the deceased’s share of the business, preventing conflicts and ensuring smooth continuity.

Additionally, some life insurance policies build cash value over time, providing a potential source of retirement savings or emergency funds. For business owners looking to diversify their financial planning, these policies can offer an alternative to traditional investment options.

TAX CONSIDERATIONS

However, life insurance policies come with various tax considerations. The proceeds from life insurance are generally tax-free for beneficiaries, but the way a policy is structured can influence how taxes affect the overall financial situation. For business owners, life insurance can have implications on both personal and business taxes, particularly when using the policy as part of succession planning or funding business agreements.

WORK WITH A PRO

A tax advisor can help business owners optimize their life insurance policies, ensuring they are tax-efficient and aligned with their overall financial goals. Whether structuring key person insurance, designing buy-sell agreements, or planning for estate taxes, a tax professional can guide business owners to make the most of their life insurance strategy.

Life insurance is essential for both personal and business financial security. For business owners, it offers additional benefits, including risk management, succession planning, and tax advantages — making it even more important to work with a tax professional to maximize these benefits.

72% of people overestimate the cost of a life insurance policy with the perception that it cost three times more than its actual price.

_{Source: 2024 Insurance Barometer Study, Life Happens and LIMRA}

QUESTION

I have a life insurance policy that names my son as beneficiary. Should I also include this policy in my will?

ANSWER

It wouldn’t hurt anything, but no, you don’t. That’s because life insurance beneficiary designations take priority over terms of a will, even if they differ. The same holds true for the beneficiary designations of retirement plans and annuities. This is a good time to remind you that keeping all your beneficiary and contingent beneficiary designations current would be best. If you’re interested in your beneficiaries getting the most from the benefit without triggering estate taxes, or you want to avoid the public glare of probate, you might consider putting the life insurance policy in a trust.

What’s your excuse for not having life insurance? For many younger people, it’s cost. About a third of Gen Z and 39% of millennials think they can’t afford life insurance — with many overestimating that $250,000 of term life insurance for a 30-year-old would cost $1,000 or more a year.*

COST

Securing life insurance in your 20s or 30s can be advantageous and more affordable than you think. For example, a $500,000 term life insurance policy might cost you only $30 a month at 25. At age 45, you could have to pay more than $100.* So, taking care of insurance needs while you are young could save you thousands of dollars over time.

GET REAL

The question becomes, “Can you afford not to have proper coverage? It may sound harsh, but do you want to saddle your spouse, partner, or parent with mortgage payments (even for a limited time), other debts, and funeral expenses at a time when they’re grieving and have other life adjustments to worry about?

Life insurance becomes even more critical if you have or plan to have children. You have their future to consider. Talk with your financial professional soon about your life insurance needs.

_{*Source: LIMRA.com, 2023}