Insurance

Life Insurance Myths: Debunked

Life Insurance Myths Debunked! Have you ever heard someone claim they don't need Life insurance? Or that insurance is too expensive? Maybe they've even said, with certainty, that all the coverage they need is provided through their employer. If so, they may have fallen prey to some common life insurance myths.Life Insurance Myths Debunked! Have you ever heard someone claim they don't need Life insurance? Or that insurance is too expensive? Maybe they've even said, with certainty, that all the coverage they need is provided through their employer. If so, they may have fallen prey to some common life insurance myths.Myth #1: If you’re single or married without children, you don’t need life insurance. Myth Debunked. Even if you don’t have a spouse or dependents, life insurance is still important. You can use it to leave a legacy or to help pay off any debts you owe. The right life insurance policy can help you protect your loved ones and support your community long after you’re gone. (1)Myth #1: If you’re single or married without children, you don’t need life insurance. Myth Debunked. Even if you don’t have a spouse or dependents, life insurance is still important. You can use it to leave a legacy or to help pay off any debts you owe. The right life insurance policy can help you protect your loved ones and support your community long after you’re gone. (1)Myth #2: Life insurance is too expensive. Myth Debunked. You may be surprised to learn that many life insurance strategies are quite approachable. Starting with a policy that fits your budget can make sure you are protected today, while letting you purchase additional coverage down the road if you need to. (2)Myth #2: Life insurance is too expensive. Myth Debunked. You may be surprised to learn that many life insurance strategies are quite approachable. Starting with a policy that fits your budget can make sure you are protected today, while letting you purchase additional coverage down the road if you need to. (2)Myth #3: I have life insurance through my job. If I leave or retire, I’ll bring my policy with me. Myth Debunked. Unfortunately, employer-offered life insurance usually isn’t portable. So, when you leave your job, you may also be leaving your life insurance behind. By purchasing your own policy, you can take it with you. Another bonus: you may qualify for more personalized coverage. (3)Myth #3: I have life insurance through my job. If I leave or retire, I’ll bring my policy with me. Myth Debunked. Unfortunately, employer-offered life insurance usually isn’t portable. So, when you leave your job, you may also be leaving your life insurance behind. By purchasing your own policy, you can take it with you. Another bonus: you may qualify for more personalized coverage. (3)Myth #4: My beneficiaries will have to pay income tax on the proceeds from my life insurance policy. Myth Debunked. Proceeds received as a beneficiary aren’t generally counted toward gross income. However, any additional interest payments may be taxed. Keep in mind that this article is for informational purposes only. It’s not a replacement for real-life advice, so make sure to consult your insurance or tax professional for more information. (4)Myth #4: My beneficiaries will have to pay income tax on the proceeds from my life insurance policy. Myth Debunked. Proceeds received as a beneficiary aren’t generally counted toward gross income. However, any additional interest payments may be taxed. Keep in mind that this article is for informational purposes only. It’s not a replacement for real-life advice, so make sure to consult your insurance or tax professional for more information. (4)Myth #5: I’m a full-time parent and draw no income. Surely I don’t need life insurance. Myth Debunked. As a full-time parent, you provide valuable services that could be expensive to replace. If you pass away, the benefits from a strong life insurance policy may help ensure that your family will continue to receive childcare, transportation, home maintenance, and other necessary supports. (5)Myth #5: I’m a full-time parent and draw no income. Surely I don’t need life insurance. Myth Debunked. As a full-time parent, you provide valuable services that could be expensive to replace. If you pass away, the benefits from a strong life insurance policy may help ensure that your family will continue to receive childcare, transportation, home maintenance, and other necessary supports. (5)Myth #6: I’m already retired; it’s too late for life insurance. Myth Debunked. Maintaining life insurance post-retirement can be a wise move. Depending on your policy, you may have access to living benefits, which can support you if you need extended care or contract a terminal illness. Life insurance can also be a means of transferring wealth. What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind? (6)Myth #6: I’m already retired; it’s too late for life insurance. Myth Debunked. Maintaining life insurance post-retirement can be a wise move. Depending on your policy, you may have access to living benefits, which can support you if you need extended care or contract a terminal illness. Life insurance can also be a means of transferring wealth. What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind? (6)Several factors will affect the cost and availability of life insurance, including age, health, and the type and amount of insurance purchased. Life insurance policies have expenses, including mortality and other charges. If a policy is surrendered prematurely, the policyholder may also pay surrender charges and have income tax implications. You should consider determining whether you are insurable before implementing a strategy involving life insurance. Any guarantees associated with a policy are dependent on the ability of the issuing insurance company to continue making claim payments. 1. Coverage.com, April 28, 2020. 2. Allstate.com, December 2019. 3. Coverage.com, April 28, 2020. 4. IRS.gov, September 20, 2019. 5. TheLadders.com, September 11, 2019. 6. USNews.com, February 27, 2020.Several factors will affect the cost and availability of life insurance, including age, health, and the type and amount of insurance purchased. Life insurance policies have expenses, including mortality and other charges. If a policy is surrendered prematurely, the policyholder may also pay surrender charges and have income tax implications. You should consider determining whether you are insurable before implementing a strategy involving life insurance. Any guarantees associated with a policy are dependent on the ability of the issuing insurance company to continue making claim payments. 1. Coverage.com, April 28, 2020. 2. Allstate.com, December 2019. 3. Coverage.com, April 28, 2020. 4. IRS.gov, September 20, 2019. 5. TheLadders.com, September 11, 2019. 6. USNews.com, February 27, 2020.
 

Related Content

Understanding the Basics of Medigap Policies

Understanding the Basics of Medigap Policies

Important as it is, Medicare does not cover the full range of health-care expenses you may experience in your golden years.

Assess Life Insurance Needs

Assess Life Insurance Needs

How to help determine life insurance needs to provide for your family after you pass away.

Mastering Mobile Lingo

Mastering Mobile Lingo

Do you understand these common mobile slang terms?

 

Have A Question About This Topic?







Thank you! Oops!

AI Tools Changing Retiree Entrepreneurship

The impact that Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can have on retirees with a consulting or small business venture.

Red Flags for Tax Auditors

Here are six flags that may make your tax return prime for an IRS audit.

Social Media: #NewestBusinessLiabilityRisk

Social media may be a modern imperative for businesses looking to grow and build their brand, but it also introduces risk.

View all articles

Saving for Retirement

This calculator can help you estimate how much you may need to save for retirement.

What's My Potential Estate Tax?

This calculator helps estimate your federal estate tax liability.

What Is the Dividend Yield?

This calculator helps determine your pre-tax and after-tax dividend yield on a particular stock.

View all calculators

Long-Term-Care Protection Strategies

The chances of needing long-term care, its cost, and strategies for covering that cost.

Your Cash Flow Statement

A presentation about managing money: using it, saving it, and even getting credit.

An Inside Look at Retirement Living

A number of questions and concerns need to be addressed to help you better prepare for retirement living.

View all presentations

It May Be Time for a Financial Checkup

It’s never a bad time to speak with your financial professional about changes in your situation.

Questions to Consider When Buying a Vacation Home

Doing your research is key before buying a vacation home.

From Boats to Brokers

From the Dutch East India Company to Wall Street, the stock market has a long and storied history.

View all videos