Buying life insurance is one of those things everyone says you should do — but no one really tells you how to figure out the right amount. Most people guess, take what their job offers, or go with whatever their agent suggests.
But life insurance isn’t a game of “pick a number.” It’s about creating real security for your family — and that starts with calculating coverage based on your actual life, not back-of-the-napkin math.
Here’s how to determine how much life insurance you truly need — in plain language, without spreadsheets, and with total confidence.
Life insurance isn’t meant to make your family rich — it’s meant to replace your income so they can keep living their life if you’re no longer there to provide for them.
A basic rule is 10–12 times your annual income. But here’s a better formula:
That gives you a more realistic picture of your coverage gap — and helps ensure your family can stay in their home, pay the bills, and maintain their lifestyle.
Life insurance should do more than replace your paycheck. It should also absorb any financial weight your family would inherit.
Think through:
If your family needs $6,000/month to maintain their lifestyle and you want that covered for 10 years, that’s $720,000 — before accounting for college or inflation.
Too many people underestimate the cost of simply keeping the lights on.
It’s a common (and costly) mistake to think that only the income earner needs life insurance.
If one partner manages the home, their absence would mean sudden costs for:
Replacing that unpaid labor can easily cost $40,000–$70,000 per year. Even without a traditional paycheck, a stay-at-home spouse absolutely contributes financially — and that contribution should be protected.
What feels like “enough” coverage today might fall short in 5–10 years.
Inflation raises the cost of everything — from groceries to tuition. If you buy a flat policy and don’t adjust, you risk underinsuring over time.
Consider:
This gives you maximum protection when your family needs it most — and lowers your costs as your obligations shrink.
Yes, underinsuring is risky — but so is overcommitting to a policy you can’t afford long-term.
If the premium strains your monthly budget, you’re more likely to cancel it early — and that defeats the whole purpose.
Start with affordable coverage you can maintain. A $500,000 policy you keep for 20 years is more valuable than a $1 million policy you cancel after two.
Your goal is balance — coverage that protects your family and fits your life.
Marriage. Buying a home. Having kids. Divorce. Starting a business.
These are all milestones that should trigger a review of your life insurance coverage. As your responsibilities shift, your policy should too.
Many term life policies allow for increases without a medical exam during certain windows — so don’t wait until it’s too late to make changes.
Set a reminder to review every 2–3 years — or immediately after any major life event.
Life insurance isn’t about some abstract financial formula. It’s about real peace of mind.
It’s about knowing your family could stay in the house, keep the routines, and have time to heal — without financial panic.
The right life insurance policy gives them space to grieve, adjust, and rebuild. And now you know exactly how to choose the right amount — based on your real life, not guesswork.
We’ll connect you with a trusted advisor who can walk you through the math, skip the sales pitch, and build a plan that actually fits your life.