Life insurance is an important part of your overall financial planning at any age. Buying a policy helps to provide financial stability for your loved ones when you’re gone. Here are some things to consider when looking to purchase life insurance in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond.
There are generally two basic types of life insurance to consider – term and permanent policies.
Term life insurance is a policy that lasts for a set number of years (the term) as long as the premium is paid. Once the term expires you are no longer covered under the policy. To continue the coverage you generally have two options: to shop for a new policy or convert your policy into permanent life insurance. Term life insurance includes a death benefit in the form of a lump sum of cash that's paid out to a beneficiary by the life insurance company when you die. This lump sum can be used for a variety of things, from burial expenses to mortgage and debt payments, to living expenses for your family, or whatever your beneficiary chooses. The death benefit is typically tax-free. Term life insurance generally offers you:
Permanent life insurance is the general term for life insurance policies that do not expire. Unlike term life insurance, which provides death benefit protection for a specific period of years, permanent life insurance can last the lifetime of whoever is insured, as long as premiums are paid subject to the terms of the policy. These policies may also offer the potential to build cash value. The cash value for permanent life insurance policies grows generally tax-deferred which means you don’t pay taxes on any earnings as long as the policy remains active.1 Policyholders can access cash value for a variety of reasons.2 It can help:
Compared to term life insurance, permanent life insurance usually costs more in premiums but it offers you:
The amount of life insurance you buy generally depends on the amount of money needed to pay off your debts and to help support your dependents in your absence. An insurance agent can calculate your life insurance needs, and it’s a good idea to ask questions such as how he or she arrives at the figure, what the number is based upon, and what specific assets and obligations were used to make the calculation. It is important that you look at your overall financial status and future needs for your family before you consider buying insurance.
In your 20s you are usually healthier with fewer health concerns, so the risk for insurance companies to cover you is minimal. Generally, this means life insurance costs will be at often their lowest. It can be a smart idea to buy life insurance early on, even if it’s a small policy.
Term life insurance can be a great choice for most life insurance shoppers in their 20s because it's simple and affordable. If you may be on a tight budget, term life insurance may be a good match for you.
If you purchased a policy in your 20's, now may be a good time for a policy review. When you enter your 30's you may have more financial responsibilities. Many people are married at this age, have a child, and perhaps own a house, so life insurance can become an important part of protecting your family and assets. Figuring out how much insurance you need is generally based on what your family requires. If you have children, it’s important to consider their future should something happen to you. When determining how much life insurance is needed, consider such factors as the cost of caring for your child, as well as the cost of living for your family after you’re gone. What are your monthly bills and fixed expenses? What do you provide for your family such as necessities like food and medical costs, but also discretionary funding and other quality of life needs.
Once you know your expenses, there are online life insurance calculators to help determine how much coverage you might need and what your rate might be.
If you already have a policy through your work, now can be a good time to review and make any adjustments and consider adding additional insurance. Is your workplace life insurance enough? As you get older, life insurance coverage will generally cost more, but it can still be very affordable even if you don’t have a policy at all. You should consider the need to do some research to determine what insurers offer and options that best fit your family’s needs.
During these years, you may want to consider permanent life insurance, which offers potential cash value growth opportunities. This benefit can offer you greater flexibility when it comes to saving for retirement and estate planning.
You may find a term life insurance policy might not be as cost-effective for you if you don’t have financial dependents or you’ve built enough savings to cover debts or final expenses. However, if you have people who do rely on your income, then buying more life insurance coverage might be the right move.
It’s not too late to buy life insurance when you reach your 60s, and this may be a good time to reevaluate your financial situation before you purchase a policy. A term life insurance policy could be a good, inexpensive option. If you’re in good health in your 60s and even 70s you may be able to get a 10 or 20-year term life policy. Once you get closer to 80, it can be harder to get term life coverage.
Buying life insurance coverage with your future retirement in mind can make it easier for your family to handle finances when you die. It can also help protect your money, manage your taxes and offer you the opportunity to grow cash value which you can use for a variety of needs and activities.1,2
Deciding to buy life insurance at any age can be challenging. If you want to know more about how various life insurance options can best fit your needs, consider making an appointment to discuss the pros, cons, and possibilities with a financial professional. To help you find a financial professional near you, submit your information on our find an agent page.
1. Neither North American Company for Life and Health Insurance nor its agents give legal or tax advice. Please consult with and rely on a qualified legal or tax advisor before entering into or paying additional premiums with respect to such arrangements.
2. Policy loans from life insurance policies generally are not subject to income tax, provided the contract is not a Modified Endowment Contract (MEC), as defined by Section 7702A of the Internal Revenue Code. A policy loan or withdrawal from a life insurance policy that is a MEC is taxable upon receipt to the extent cash value of the contract exceeds premium paid. Distributions from MECs are subject to federal income tax to the extent of the gain in the policy and taxable distributions are subject to a 10% additional tax prior to age 59½, with certain exceptions. Policy loans and withdrawals will reduce cash value and death benefit. Policy loans are subject to interest charges. Consult with and rely on your tax advisor or attorney on your specific situation.
Life insurance policies have terms under which the policy may be continued in effect or discontinued. Permanent life insurance requires monthly deductions to pay the policy’s charges and expenses, some of which will increase as the insured gets older. These deductions may reduce the cash value of the policy. Current cost of insurance rates and current interest rates are not guaranteed. Therefore, the planned periodic premium may not be sufficient to carry the contract to maturity. For costs and complete details, refer to the policy or call or write North American Company for Life and Health Insurance at One Sammons Plaza, Sioux Falls, SD 57193. Telephone 877-872-0757.
The term financial professional is not intended to imply engagement in an advisory business in which compensation is not related to sales. Financial professionals that are insurance licensed will be paid a commission on the sale of an insurance product.
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