When people think about life insurance, they often focus on income replacement or protecting loved ones after death. But life insurance is also one of the most effective estate planning tools available. It can provide liquidity, equalize inheritances, and ensure your legacy is carried out as you intended.
This Life Insurance Awareness Month, let’s explore how life insurance fits into a well-rounded estate plan.
Why Estate Planning Matters
Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy—it’s about making sure your assets are transferred smoothly, fairly, and with as little stress as possible. Without proper planning, heirs may face delays, legal costs, or even disputes. Life insurance offers a unique way to simplify this process.
How Life Insurance Supports Estate Planning Read More
When people think about life insurance, they usually focus on the protection it provides for loved ones. But life insurance also comes with unique tax advantages that make it one of the most versatile tools in a retirement and estate plan.
This Life Insurance Awareness Month, let’s explore the lesser-known tax benefits that can help you and your family preserve more wealth.
1. Death Benefits Are Generally Tax-Free
The most well-known advantage is that death benefit proceeds are paid to beneficiaries income tax-free in most cases. This means your family can use every dollar for living expenses, debt repayment, or other needs without worrying about tax bills.
For larger estates, life insurance can also provide liquidity to help pay estate taxes, avoiding forced sales of property or investments. Read More
When most people think of life insurance, they think of it as a way to provide for loved ones after death. But life insurance also plays a powerful role in protecting retirement income for both you and your spouse.
This Life Insurance Awareness Month, let’s explore how the right policy can help keep your retirement plan on track.
The Retirement Income Challenge
Retirement planning isn’t just about accumulating savings—it’s about protecting those savings so they last. Without safeguards in place, unexpected events can drain your retirement income quickly.
- A premature death can leave a spouse without enough to cover living expenses.
- Medical bills or debt may eat into retirement assets.
- Market downturns can reduce account balances right when income is needed most.
Life insurance can be the “safety net” that ensures your retirement income strategy works as intended. Read More
At first glance, life insurance and annuities might seem like opposites: one protects against dying too soon, the other protects against living too long. Yet both play critical roles in retirement and financial planning.
This Life Insurance Awareness Month, let’s explore how these two tools differ—and how they can work together to create lasting financial security.
What Is Life Insurance?
Life insurance provides a financial safety net for your loved ones after your death. You pay premiums, and in return, your beneficiaries receive a death benefit. Depending on the policy, life insurance can also build cash value over time. Read More
How Much Life Insurance Do You Really Need?
Buying life insurance is one of the most important financial decisions you can make, but knowing how much to buy is just as critical as deciding to get coverage at all. Too little, and your family may still struggle financially. Too much, and you may be paying for coverage you don’t need.
This Life Insurance Awareness Month, let’s break down how to find the right balance.
Why the Right Coverage Amount Matters
Life insurance is about protection. It replaces your income, pays off debts, and provides financial security for the people you love. The right amount ensures your spouse, children, or other dependents can maintain their standard of living even in your absence. Read More
5 Life Insurance Myths That Could Cost Your Family
Life insurance is one of the simplest and most affordable ways to protect your family’s financial future. Yet, many Americans either go without it or carry too little coverage. Why? Because myths and misconceptions keep people from taking action.
This Life Insurance Awareness Month, let’s set the record straight on five of the most common—and dangerous—life insurance myths. Read More
Each September, Life Insurance Awareness Month reminds us of a simple truth: tomorrow isn’t promised, but we can plan for it. For millions of American families, life insurance remains one of the most affordable and powerful ways to safeguard their financial future. Yet, many households are either uninsured or underinsured.
In 2025, with higher living costs, rising medical expenses, and longer life expectancies, protecting your loved ones is more important than ever.
Why Life Insurance Awareness Month Exists
Life Insurance Awareness Month was created to highlight a national problem: too many families face financial hardship when the unexpected happens. According to LIMRA, nearly half of U.S. adults do not have any life insurance coverage. Of those who do, many lack enough to fully replace income, pay off debts, or provide for long-term needs.
This awareness campaign encourages people to learn the basics, explore their options, and take action before it’s too late. Read More
You’ve done something incredibly important: you made your will or set up a trust. That step alone puts you ahead of many Americans. But don’t stop there—your estate plan isn’t complete until you’ve taken a few more key actions to ensure your wishes are truly honored.
This article walks you through the next moves to take after you’ve signed your documents.
Step 1: Safely Store Your Documents
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When people think of estate planning, they usually picture wills, trusts, and dividing up their assets. But your legacy isn’t just about what you leave behind—it’s also about what you leave within the people you love.
During Make-a-Will Month, we’ve talked about the legal tools that help protect your assets. Now, let’s talk about the tools that help protect your wisdom, memories, and values—the intangibles that define who you are and how you want to be remembered.
What Is a Legacy Letter or Ethical Will?
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Writing your will online might seem like the easy, affordable solution. With just a few clicks and a credit card, you can “check estate planning off the list.”
But here’s the truth: a DIY will can cost your family far more than you save today.
During Make-a-Will Month, it’s essential to understand that estate planning is not one-size-fits-all. Especially in retirement, with more assets and life complexities in play, a basic will template may not protect what matters most.
What Is a DIY Will?
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