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Life Insurance Calculator

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Life Insurance Needs Calculator

Answer a few quick questions to estimate how much life insurance you may need.

Estimated Life Insurance Need:

$0.00

🧭 How to Use This Life Insurance Needs Calculator (Step-by-Step)

  1. Enter Your Age
    👤 Helps estimate how long you’ll need coverage and may impact your life expectancy assumptions.
  2. Enter Your Annual Income
    💵 The calculator uses this to estimate how much income your loved ones would need to replace.
  3. Choose How Many Years to Replace Your Income
    📆 This might be until your children are grown, your spouse reaches retirement, or your mortgage is paid off.
  4. Enter Your Current Savings & Investments
    💼 These are subtracted from the total need — so you’re not over-insuring.
  5. Add Any Outstanding Debt
    🧾 This includes mortgage, student loans, credit cards — anything your family would be responsible for if you passed away.
  6. Estimate Final Expenses
    ⚰️ Funeral costs, medical bills, and legal fees can be a burden without proper coverage.
  7. Set Your Education Fund Goal
    🎓 Want to leave money to cover college for your kids? Add it here.
  8. Click “Calculate”
    ✅ You’ll instantly see how much life insurance you may need, plus a CTA to compare quotes.

💡 Life Insurance Planning Tips

✔️ Choose term life first
It’s the most cost-effective way to protect your family, especially if you’re under age 50.

✔️ Don’t overestimate coverage
Too much insurance = higher premiums. This calculator helps you find a practical amount.

✔️ Re-evaluate every few years
Life changes — like marriage, kids, home buying — mean your insurance needs will too.

✔️ Consider adding riders
Optional add-ons like disability waivers or child protection can add value to your policy.

✔️ Get multiple quotes
Life insurance rates vary a lot by provider — it pays to compare!

Feature Term Life Insurance Whole Life Insurance
Coverage Length 10, 20, or 30 years (fixed) Lifetime (as long as premiums are paid)
Cost 💲 Low monthly premiums 💲💲💲 Higher premiums
Payout Type Pays death benefit if you die during the term Pays death benefit whenever you die
Cash Value ❌ None ✅ Builds tax-deferred savings over time
Best For Families, new parents, mortgage protection Wealth building, estate planning, long-term needs
Can Be Converted ✅ Some policies allow conversion to permanent coverage N/A
Borrow From Policy? ❌ No ✅ Yes — loans and withdrawals available
Simplicity ✅ Easy to understand and compare ❌ More complex — includes investment component
Flexibility 🔁 Renew or reapply after term ends 🔒 Locked in for life unless surrendered or canceled

🧠 Quick Tip:
Start with term life to lock in low rates while you’re younger.
Consider converting to whole life later if you want long-term estate or wealth planning.

💬 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much life insurance do I really need?
It depends on your income, debts, family structure, and goals. This tool gives a personalized estimate based on your inputs.

What does life insurance cover?
Life insurance provides a tax-free payout to your beneficiaries. It can cover:

  • Lost income

  • Mortgage or rent

  • Childcare and education

  • Funeral expenses

  • Outstanding debts

Does this calculator account for inflation or investment returns?
This version offers a simple static model. For long-term planning, consider working with a licensed financial advisor.

What’s the difference between term and whole life insurance?

  • Term life is temporary and affordable (e.g., 20 or 30 years).

  • Whole life lasts your entire life but costs more.

Is life insurance taxable?
No. In most cases, life insurance payouts are not taxed.

📘 Life Insurance Glossary of Terms

Beneficiary
👤 The person or people who receive the life insurance payout when the policyholder dies.

Coverage Amount (aka Death Benefit)
💰 The total amount of money paid to your beneficiary if you pass away during the coverage period.

Premium
💳 The amount you pay (monthly or annually) to keep your life insurance policy active.

Term Life Insurance
📆 A policy that lasts for a specific period (e.g., 10, 20, or 30 years). It pays out only if the policyholder dies during that term.

Whole Life Insurance
🏦 A policy that covers your entire lifetime and includes a savings (cash value) component that grows over time.

Rider
➕ An optional add-on to your policy, such as a disability waiver, child coverage, or accelerated death benefit.

Underwriting
🩺 The process where the insurance company assesses your health and risk level to set your premium.

Cash Value
💼 A savings feature in permanent (whole) life policies. You can borrow against it or sometimes withdraw it while still alive.

Convertibility
🔄 The option to convert a term life policy into a permanent one without a new medical exam.

📊 Real-World Examples

🧑‍💼 Example 1: Young Family, Modest Income

  • Age: 32

  • Income: $65,000

  • Years to Replace: 20

  • Debt: $150,000 mortgage

  • Final Expenses: $15,000

  • Education Goal: $60,000

  • Savings: $10,000

Recommended Coverage: ~$1.455 million


👵 Example 2: Pre-Retiree With No Debt

  • Age: 58

  • Income: $90,000

  • Years to Replace: 10

  • Debt: $0

  • Final Expenses: $20,000

  • Education Goal: $0

  • Savings: $300,000

Recommended Coverage: ~$620,000

*National Savings Rate Average as published by FDIC

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