Guaranty Association Benefits Company

Not so, according to a poll of Guardian Life. The survey showed that consumers under 40 opt for whole life insurance over other types of policies because of their desire to be financially secure.

The survey showed that 35 percent of respondents under 40 also prefer to pay their premiums as fast as possible to the traditional life in payment schedule. The No. 1 motivator (72 percent for those under 40) to purchase whole life was the desire to protect their families. Reason # 2 for all age groups was the guaranteed cash value of any life.

The under 40 also said they had considered mutual funds, CDs, stocks and other life products before opting for life, with 54 percent see all life as a reliable retirement income supplement.

Maybe now is the right time for you to review your insurance and financial portfolio to include whole life insurance as one of your security choices, security and guarantees.

...

1. Review your beneficiaries 'life insurance
   .
   too often, people buy life insurance, and leave the political sit there year after year without review that they have designated as beneficiary of the policy. A review of the beneficiaries is crucial because, after all, what good is life insurance if the death benefit will not be used by those who need it most? Situations that require a change of beneficiary are (among others!):
   • a change in marital status
   • one of your recipients is gone
   • you had more children

   It is equally important that you not only selected the main beneficiary okay, but make sure your secondary beneficiaries are labeled correctly so.

2. Make sure you have enough life insurance coverage.
   
   Life insurance exists to help you protect your family financially if you were in the picture. This protection tends to change over time. You may have been significant lifestyle changes have or had additions or subtractions to your family. Or, you might have had wage increases in recent years, providing your family with an increase in living standards. Remember, it is a good rule of thumb to make a cover that is 10 to 15 times your net income. If you purchased a policy a few years ago, the current amount of life insurance coverage could be your family to a loss if you do not address these changes. If you're not sure how much life insurance you may need, start by using life insurance to the nonprofit LIFE Foundation Calculator needs.
3. Find out if you can save money on your life insurance policy.
   
   Look carefully underwriting class if you have anything less than the best rates on your policy. If you have been "evaluated" for health reasons (which means you pay the rate due to a higher health status), you can now qualify for much better life insurance rates if the condition is now under control or has existed for a long time. This is especially true if you are a smoker, had any type of cancer, lost weight or got your blood pressure or cholesterol under control.

   As you can see, there are several things you can do to make sure you have all your ducks in a row when it comes to your life insurance. Taking 10 to 15 minutes to review your existing coverage, you make sure that your family is well covered.

William Rowan is the founder of eTermLifeInsurance.net, a site-oriented term consumer education for life insurance and comparison. His only goal is for consumers to find the best life insurance policy for their individual situation.

What would happen if you were to know that you have had cancer six months from now, you did not have coverage of Health Insurance? Imagine that you went to your doctor for your annual review feel good, and you said that the cancer. It is expensive, but definitely treatable. The cost for the duration of the treatment is $ 375,000, since you do not have a health insurance policy. Would you be able to write the check without blinking? Would you be able to work comfortably on a repayment schedule with the hospital and assume payments of what would essentially be a monthly mortgage extra payment? If the answer to any of these questions is no, then you need a comprehensive health insurance policy, do not you think?

What would happen to your spouse and children if you were to have a car accident six months from now die instantly without any coverage for life insurance? Imagine that your spouse is able to obtain or maintain his / her work and find arrangements for the care of children while working full time. Does your spouse easily be able to afford the mortgage payment? What about pay auto loans? What to pay school loans? What about paying for a child's college? If the answer to these questions is no, then you need a life insurance policy, do not you think?

What would happen to your budget and the budgets of your family if you were to choose to go without a long -term care insurance, but years from now you end up having long-term care needs at a cost of $ 50,000 + per year? Imagine that you are in a situation where you absolutely must have specialized care, but you only have the funds available for a few months without payments decimate your retirement funds. Your health comes first is what would you do? If your budget is not able to manage the cost, and you could not bear to have a family member to pay for you (if they even have), then you need an insurance policy of long-term care, do you think?

Joel Ohman is a certified financial planner and founder of CarInsuranceComparison.com and has a life insurance agency and disease based in Tampa, Florida.

In the world of long term care insurance, it seems like a broken record when it comes to the press: we will report what is wrong and what does not work, as this time online article. I guess if you take a broader look, which is what happens in all areas of life. Negative seems sell more newspapers (or get more eyeballs online).

I do not want to emphasize this part. I tried to balance a side information about long term care insurance that appears in the press in the posts on this blog, as when I addressed the hue and cry about the premium increase. Instead, I want people to hear what works specifically on long-term care insurance 11 million reasons distributed throughout the country.

Nearly $ 11 million that is how the top 10 long term care insurers pay on every day benefits to 5.75 million customers, according to a new study by the American Association for long term care insurance (AALTCI). This adds to nearly $ 4 billion a year in money that goes into communities across the country to help people get long-term care they need.

Sometimes the numbers that large can make your head spin, so I'll make it personal to you. I have a colleague, Dave, who made a comprehensive financial planning for many years. Because he was not an expert in long term care insurance, he came to my aid. I helped Dave place long-term from nine households care insurance to many of them friends and neighbors. To date, seven customers have achieved their long-term care benefits. And there is not too long, Dave, now 85, called me to tell me it was time for me to help him with his request so that his wife has Alzheimer's disease. Two million of long-term care benefits sank in the neighborhood and the community of Dave because he helped plan every eventuality customers.

These are some of the numbers I wish the press would report. Until they do, however, I will continue to write and talk about them.

Researchers tell us that the age of the intended retirement for American workers increases and people planning to work longer, as opposed to saving more.

Mathew researchers Greenwald & Associates, Inc. and the Employee Benefit Research Institute reported that only 68% of American workers said they or a spouse had tried to save for retirement , down from 75% in 09. the percentage of workers who said that it is reasonably possible for them to save $ 25 a week for retirement fell to 62% from 66% in 04.

only $ 100 a month or $ 1,0 per year. At this low rate, these workers do not expect to be retired for long. The percentage of workers who expect to retire after 65 years increased to 36% from 25% in 06, and the percentage who expect to work in retirement has increased to 74% from last year. The researchers found that workers with less than $ 100,000 in savings are especially nervous about retirement.

This is a truly incredible number of this research. More than half of workers (56%) indicated that the total value of savings and investments in their household, excluding the value of their primary residence and any defined benefit plans, was less than 25 $ 000, and only 42% of workers said they or their spouses have tried to calculate how much money they might need to save to live comfortably in retirement.

Although the report does not give income range of people involved in the study, I found the lack of understanding and preparation for the shocking retirement. As an industry involved in financial and retirement planning, we must do a better job of providing financial literacy to guide people in these decisions and to motivate them to take action. This is the purpose of the LIFE Foundation.

I am often amazed at how bright, well-educated, wealthy professionals have little notion of what should be considered as part of their retirement and future financial planning.

recently a friend of mine in his late 50s told me he was retiring in about a year from his position as senior manager with a fairly large regional company. He said, "Joe, you're a CPA. Can you recommend someone who can help advise and manage my investments for retirement?"

I explained that it was Not that easy. I said, "By opening, you need a caring counselor who can meet all your financial needs and how they mesh with your lifestyle, your family and your dreams. It is not only on the main management and provide an income stream. You must ensure you do not outlive your assets, your spouse and family are protected, you can handle a situation of long-term care, you can leave a legacy, and frankly, you can load the bases of bucket list you and your spouse have set for your retirement years. "

I told him that I help him find a counselor that he and his spouse would feel comfortable with and with whom he could develop a relationship based on trust. Meanwhile, I gave him a few websites to browse for information. I told him an absolute "must check" was www.lifehappens.org retirees and pre-section / retirees. People really need some basic understanding of the options to consider before you even start the retirement planning process.

Quick! Give me the first answer that pops into your head. What is your most valuable asset?

Did you say: "My home!" Or perhaps, "My car!" The two answers is logical, but neither is correct. If you are like most people, your most valuable asset is actually your paycheck. It's what pays for your house and car and all the other things you have in your life.

at the lIFE Foundation, we believe it is time to pay a little tribute to this underrated asset of your check pay. this is why, in may, which is disability insurance awareness Month, we are running the "this Moment made possible by my Paycheck" photo competition. Right after a photo with a caption a special moment that your paycheck is made possible, and if VIE chooses your photo as the winning time, you will receive a gift card for $ 500.

if you just take a couple minutes to reflect on the magnitude of what our wages help us do, it's amazing what we can find. Watch these two entries:

Now imagine if your paycheck was to stop due to an unexpected illness or injury. You would probably encounter most likely problems earlier, rather than later, trying to make ends meet. That's why we believe it is important to not only our paycheck accessories, but to protect it with insurance Disability consider it as insurance for your paycheck. To learn more, visit www.protectyourpaycheck.org site.

In 3rd Annual Worth Penn Mutual for Survey women were asked to women and men to place a monetary value the work they do away from their jobs. Both groups put the estimate in dollars to about $ 25,000 per year. Respondents were then asked to list the hours spent doing a variety of jobs or services, such as laundry, meal preparation and child care. When Penn Mutual calculated the value reported actual hours doing housework, they found that men overestimate the value of what they do almost 13%. However, women were found to underestimate the value of everything they do for their homes and families.

When the actual median value of services has been calculated, the contribution of women in the home was $ 34,256 against $ 19,322 for men. Men were 9% more likely to overestimate their contribution of $ 30,000 or more. Remember, this is for domestic activities. The person most likely to underestimate its value is the mother of a minor child. Its calculated penalty is $ 44,913 while its perceived value is only $ 29,000. More than half (52 percent) of these women underestimate their value by at least $ 10,000; 36 percent do so by at least $ 30,000.

Although the survey may suggest that men have started to make more significant contributions to household operations, there are serious consequences for women and men who underestimate the value of what are women next to a job outside.

Penn Mutual says they often see evidence that women underestimate their value to their families-with serious consequences or tragic when that work has to be replaced by strangers after the untimely death of wife or mother. The survey revealed that women have much less coverage than men, with the amount of the median individual coverage for women was $ 100,000 compared to $ 150,000 for men.

Although it may be possible for other family members to fill the gap of a missing mother, there will still be costs associated with that. So, how is the wife or mother is worth? Suppose it is 15 years before the children leave home. At $ 40,000 per year of service would require $ 400,000 of capital with a rate of 10% per year invested 5% annual withdrawal to replace its services for 15 years. At the end of 15 years, the capital is fully utilized.

How to create $ 400,000 when it is most needed? Life insurance. Talk to your agent or advisor about it today. And if you do not have it, you can use the Agent Locator tool.

I was surprised by the New York Times as "College Students Do not look at debt as a burden." Of course, I had to read the article to see what was happening. Then the surprise turned to shock. According to the article, debt average student loan for college graduates in 08 was over $ 23,000. Add to that the fact that students have at least one credit card carried an average of over $ 4,000 in debt on it. This heading towards $ 30,000 of debt! In perspective, the average salary of a person graduate this year is $ 46,000 that is if they can find a job, the unemployment rate hovering near double digits.

But that's not what shocked me. Many students need loans to pay for college. No loan does not mean education. I understand. It is what they said next that lead me to think that I'm living in a parallel universe. Instead of feeling overwhelmed or stressed by debt, they feel "power." Yes, you read correctly. According to a study by Ohio State University, many students feel empowered by reason than money.

The article continues: "More college loans and credit card debt that young adults 18-27 have, the more self-esteem and control more they feel they have on their lives. They tend to see the positive debt, rather than as a burden. "

Where is the reality check? Where are their living relatives this? Where were they the message the debt, especially credit card debt, is a boost self-esteem?

Although it seems strange college education graduate something so fundamental, they need to understand these three basic principles- and hopefully start practicing:

1. Get debt under control
2. start saving
3. Protect your assets

this page for singles, and this page for those with young families can help with information and links the bottom line. There is no debt financial security

The life of a woman can be defined in stages, from childhood to the reproductive years and beyond. And while each woman deals with these life stages differently and made choices that were made for her, all women should have adequate insurance to protect their needs and those that may be based on them.

Life Insurance
life insurance is a key component of financial planning, the protection of those who remain in ensuring that they are not burdened by debts or can not cope with financial costs being after the loss. But according to LIMRA, a third of women are not covered by life insurance, while those are assured carry only enough to replace their income for three to four years (depending on their personal income) compared to the experts recommendations. seven to 10 years

studying statistics lifejackets Genworth Financial 2011 is equally alarming 6 million households (10% of families with children under 18 years) have no insurance life, and in single-parent families, more than half of single mothers are not insured.

But the numbers tell only part of the story. It is the impact of these figures on spouses and children who really emphasize the importance of having adequate life insurance. Be it a housewife or career woman or a combination of both, a woman makes an important contribution to his family. However, too often the work of the dollar value do women in their homes-calculated $ 34,256 a year and up to $ 44,913 for a mother of a minor child, according to Penn Mutual Worth for Women Survey, is rarely into account when choosing the amount of coverage of life insurance.

While no amount of money can replace the loss of a mother or wife, adequate life insurance policy can help provide child care, college education or replace it produces income while living.

Disability Insurance
We all want to believe we will be able to live life to the fullest, but accidents, injuries and illness can change the future in a moment . According to a LIFE Foundation survey, three out of 10 women can expect to suffer a disability that keeps them out of work for 0 days or more at some point during their working years. The result of a disability can be a crushing burden, both financially and emotionally.

• If the woman is an employee, the financial contribution may discontinue, temporarily or permanently, depending on its condition.
• If it is able to manage its myriad domestic and family responsibilities, there may be an additional expense of hiring someone to take his place.
costs • Out-of-pocket associated with disability can become an additional burden on an already depleted income.

Although disability insurance can not go back and get back some capacity has been lost, it can provide the insured with financial support to move forward in the new situation of life and reduce the burden on the family budget.

long-term care insurance
with disability insurance, long term care insurance tends to fall in the category "I'll think about it later" when women are doing their financial planning. However, "later" may be sooner than they might think. It's not just the elderly who have to worry about the need to pay for the long-term care. While 75 percent of people aged 65 and over will eventually need long-term care, according to industry estimates, 40 percent of patients receiving long term care are younger than 65.

the best time for women to consider long-long term care insurance is when they are in their 40s, when premiums will be lower. While it can be bought when a woman is in their 50s and 60s, the cost will be higher (much less than the overall cost of care) and the greatest risk that health problems can affect the qualification.

The transition through life stages can be both exciting and challenging. But with the guidance of an agent or advisor, the trip can be smoother and safer for women and their families. To help you find a counselor, if you do not have it, click here.

Money was on the mind of everyone these days. The debt ceiling crisis being pushed at the 11th hour had everyone on pins and needles. Add to this degradation of Standard & Poor rating of US credit, the roller coaster ride of the stock market ... and it keeps getting more complex. I looked around to see if I could find a simple explanation of some of these concepts, and ran across some infographics I wanted to share. It helps put the problem and how it looks in striking relief.

This is what the debt of the United States looks like in terms you can view a-building. Yet it is truly unfathomable.

Nothing like a infographic movement to bring it on home as well. Check the clock of debt.

This is infographic shows how the national debt has changed in the last decade ... greatly simplified, but it helps to pave the way to where we are.

So my googling got me into more personal territory. I wanted to see where the money of an average person goes. This shows how the average American spends his (or her) money. Housing takes an average of just under $ 17,000. Phew! (I know these data from the US Department of Labor, as we used during our campaign to highlight the importance of protecting your paycheck with disability insurance.)

Then, of course, you want to know what your kids are really cost you. Can it be? (I think they should have the class erupted just for how much diapers cost.) And you thought the life insurance to cover these costs in case something were to happen to you, right?

And just because I hate it when people talk about how much money I could save for retirement if I stopped to get a coffee mug ... I added this. Hmmm, which one to choose?

Today is September 1st and while many people might chalk up to your average Thursday LIFE here it feels a bit like Christmas morning. We waited all year in preparation for today is the official start of a very important observation. It is Life Insurance Awareness Month (LIAM), when all Americans are encouraged to ensure that they receive adequate protection life insurance.

Why do we set aside time on the calendar to ask the Americans to focus on this issue? Because we would be remiss if we did not have it. An alarming number of Americans have no life insurance, leaving their families in a precarious financial situation. Nobody knows what the future holds. Having life insurance can mean the difference between your loved ones face a future of financial security or financial ruin.

But you do not have to take me. When I talk to people who have personally made the decision to get life insurance, their feelings of safety and comfort immediately come through. Take for example the basketball and reality TV star, Lamar Odom, the spokesman LIAM this year. He lost his mother to colon cancer when he was only 12, but as he says in our new public service announcement: "I had options, because my mother had planned in advance ... life insurance gave me the foundation to move forward in my life. "The purchase of life insurance was one of the first things he did when he entered the NBA and now that he is married with two children of his own, he knows the importance of have this coverage to ensure that the people he loves will be provided for. It's a powerful feeling that only those who have a life insurance policy can really understand.

We recently sat down with him for Lamar talk about his history and his personal decision to purchase life insurance and wanted to share some of this interview with you today. you can also read the full interview here

You can see why we are so pleased to have Lamar in our yard this year (pardon the pun) because, in all sincerity, we know his story is one that will resonate with a lot of. Whatever your age or situation, there are people who depend on you, you need life insurance. LIAM And this is all about -. To help educate people about the importance of proper insurance planning and encourage millions who do not have adequate cover to take steps now to protect their families

Despite the fact that half of marriages end in divorce, we never really do that they will divorce. Entering the wedding, we all think we are in the other 50%.

When you go through a divorce there is so much to think about. So much to negotiate with someone you try to separate yourself from. However, once you have children, you're really attached to that other person forever ... several days I thought, "Well, this is what is meant by a better or worse part of those greeting marriage. "

So in the middle of thinking about child care, housing, child support, alimony, who will get the antique armoire that you both like (me), the grid (him), life insurance is not the first thing that comes to mind. Or at least it was not for us. We are both young (ish) and healthy. both our parents lived to ripe old ages.

what are you doing about life insurance when you decide to divorce?

We had to consider what the Average life insurance. what kind of life do we want our children to be able to have if one of us is not there? When I got married, I used to joke with my husband that I wanted he has enough life insurance so that if I were forced to live without him, it would be at least in a style to which I'd become accustomed. There is some truth in that. If my children lose one of us, I will not add to the loss by subjecting them to a financial burden.

we've added all the years of support for children who need to be replaced. The college fund , music lessons, summer camps, sports equipment, ed driver During the SAT, the list continued and so on. We examined each and had the exact even thought, "Damn these children are expensive ." Followed quickly by, "Who had the idea to have them in the first place?"

Oh, I'm kidding. Who would want to give up nights without sleep, without disturbing end paycheck deposit directly into the bank account of the pediatrician?

We added all these things and then some to our final figure. Although we are divorcing each other, we both recognize that not having financial difficulties makes us better parents. And most of all, we both want the other to be the best parents that we can be for our children.

based on my experience with friends who have gone through divorce, they allowed their animosity for their former spouse to cloud their thinking. they viewed politics life insurance benefiting somehow their former spouse, instead of children. As if they imagined the person greedily rubbing their hands over their graves while fantasizing about a new sports car.

When our youngest child reaches 21 , we can legally do what we want with our policy of life insurance and designate a new beneficiary. In all likelihood, we will always keep the other list. the amount may be changed. Maybe there will be new policies with new partners added. It is still a long absence. But one thing I am certain, and it is very little I am sure these days divorce is no one else in this world has the best interest of our children at heart the way that we do. And even in the midst of arguing, bickering, and generally fool to another, it is important to remember that.

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month (LIAM), and here is an example of the reasons which that consumer awareness campaign is so important. A recent MetLife study found that many women who work may be short-changing themselves and their families regarding their coverage of life insurance. According to the study, four out of five employees today believe their life insurance coverage is adequate, but 45% of working women and 28% of working men with life insurance have not evaluated their needs since obtaining their first policy. This can leave them and their families financially vulnerable in the event of premature death.

Working women with life insurance are also nearly twice as likely as men (21% against 12%) acknowledge that they do not know how much coverage they have and are also more likely to underestimate how much coverage they need. The study indicates that a good starting point for a life insurance coverage is generally the outstanding debt plus five years of salary. However, 54% of women and 47% of men believe coverage equal to their debt as well as three years' salary or less will suffice. While only one in four men or women considered debt when calculating their life insurance needs, 52% want their death benefit to cover these obligations.

I think the good life insurance number should be a minimum of 10 times income and could be much higher based on the family and economic conditions. Calculators, the LIFE Foundation Life Insurance Needs Calculator and Calculator-value human life can help you determine the exact amount of your situation and lifestyle.

The study also pointed out that men and women have different desires for what they want their insurance policies to cover. Almost three quarters (73%) of married men say their # 1 waiting for their coverage of life insurance is to pay for future living expenses for their spouse, compared with 47% of married women. For married women, the # 1 is waiting to cover their final expenses (69% against 55% of married men). However, men and married women express nearly identical levels of interest in protecting the financial future of their children.

"It is so important to be an educated consumer regarding the development of a sound financial plan. Not only women should consider life insurance coverage on themselves to protect loved ones but also encourage spouses or partners to have coverage as well. otherwise, the sudden loss of vital income may have a negative long-term impact for the survivor and retired, "says Cindy Hounsell, President of the women's Institute for a secure retirement.

Over a quarter of respondents to the study were unfamiliar with the basic features of their own life insurance policies. for example, 24% of employees who say they have term life insurance believe that this coverage provides financial protection for an unlimited period. in fact, term insurance provides financial protection for a defined period of time, such as 10, 15 or 20 years, or if provided through an employer group policy maintained for the duration of employment. At the end of these periods, the long-term coverage can be continued, but usually with much higher premiums. In addition, 28% of employees with permanent life insurance are unaware that permanent life insurance can create the cash value as they pay their premiums. the permanent life insurance policies can be used to accumulate, protect and transfer wealth.

Employees may also not be leveraging life insurance as effectively as they could to meet their needs. About a third of employees with coverage do not realize that life insurance, in addition to providing a death benefit, can be a strategic method to supplement retirement benefits and assistance in estate planning.

Consumer education is that the LIFE Foundation is all about. Use our resources to help you make informed decisions about life insurance to protect you and your family.

"Are you sitting down?" It was my mother on the other end of the phone. It is, I sit, something I do a lot of, given the fact that I am in the second trimester of my second pregnancy. "Yeah mom, what's up?" I use that precipitated the tone impatient with it, the very one that I hear (and hate) from my own children. That's when she dropped the bomb. "I have breast cancer."

These words have stolen my breath. My mother? By no means! It was healthy, vibrant and strong. Besides, she had no family history . Certainly, it was a mistake made My mother was one of the 0,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer in this country every year I am thankful that she was intelligent and vigilant;... her cancer was found on a mammogram and it was very small. she chose a lumpectomy and radiation and has been cancer for nearly 14 years.

His fight with breast cancer came years after my father fought against the disease, too. Yes, men can and breast cancer, but not in the numbers women do. He underwent a modified radical mastectomy since his cancer was more aggressive.

after the diagnosis of my mother, I began a heavy routine screening because the breast surgeon twice a year, a mammogram and ultrasound once a year and conscientiously do the self-examination chest. But in 03, my mammograms started to show suspicious white spots, and because of my family history, every new development should be biopsied. Four biopsies in four years (all on the same breast, in the same place) and my chest were tired and sort of collapsed. I too began to speak to my breast surgeon to take a more proactive position instead of waiting until I cancer, trying to completely avoid and possibly correct some of the damage caused by all biopsies. We decided the best option for me would be a double preventive mastectomy.

In January 07, I was on the table at Memorial Sloan Kettering have my breasts removed in a five and half hour procedure which was filmed by Oprah Winfrey. I returned two months later for a day procedure to exchange the temporary implants for my permanent.

I think back to that time as a crash course on the life lessons for me. I learned a lot about breast cancer; Did you know the family history is not the biggest risk factor? True, only about 10% of cases have a genetic link. Remember, there was no history in my family before my parents were diagnosed. The biggest risk factor for breast cancer is being a woman aging. Period.

A battle with a serious illness can take as much of a toll on your family finances as it can on your health. When you are sick, you need to focus on getting well without worrying about paying bills or if you siphon off the funds for the future of your family, making me grateful for the right insurance I had health.

A serious illness can also rethink your financial future. My husband and I always made sure that we have achieved adequate coverage of life insurance. Life insurance is one of those things that you can deal with "the line." You really need to think of her as a shield. A critical about it.

Thus, since October is awareness month for breast cancer, as well as thinking about your health, how about taking a moment for a life insurance check-up? Do you have enough coverage? What does your family need if something happened to you? What should you do now, while you're healthy, to preserve the future? Check out this post by breast cancer survivor and Vlasta Duffy insurance agent, which has tips on what you should consider. It could save you a lifetime of worry. I can not think of a reason not to do it, can you?

generations, it was recognized that older parents would be supported by their adult children, women (aka "housewives") handle most of the physical and emotional burden. It was also a time when the siblings and members of the extended family lived nearby, ready to intervene if necessary.

But times have changed, and families are rarely in the same state, let alone the same ZIP code. and women, although stil t carrying most of the burden of caregiving (66 % according Caregiving in the US), in many cases are also used outside the home.

Add to that the rising cost of assistance provided by professionals (estimated at $ 43,000 to 70,000 $ annually for eight hours a day for health care alone) and it is no surprise that the cost of providing care can keep both neat and caregiver to sleep at night.

According to an AARP study, about 42 million people in the US have provided care for an adult family member at some point. But this unpaid support is a cost - physical, emotional and financial. For example:

• Studies show that caregivers females are more likely than men to suffer from high stress due to caregiving (35% against 25%)
• 70% of working caregivers. suffer from difficulties at work because of their dual role of caregiving.
• 23% of caregivers have been providing care for five years or more say their health is fair or poor.
• 12% percent of caregivers reduce work hours or took a less demanding job, while 9% gave up work altogether, compared to 3% who took early retirement.

If you plan to provide care of a parent in the course of the future or if you want to avoid being a burden on other family members, there are steps you can take.

Learn the facts about long-term care. LTC fall into three categories: men, middle and caretaker. These types of services and procedures are generally not covered by medical insurance of a person, but would be paid under a long-term care insurance policy.

Skilled care (generally provided by nurses or professional therapists) helps you recover from a serious illness or injury with treatments or daily therapy. intermediate care is similar, but not necessary on a daily basis. custodial care, however, does not focus on recovery, but to provide assistance with daily activities: bathing, eating, dressing and other personal and medical care, and can range from home care provided two or three days a week , 24-hour nursing care.

Discuss your financial situation with a counselor. If you can afford the cost of long term care without significant impact on your assets, you can choose to cancel the purchase of coverage. And for those with assets (excluding your home) of less than $ 80,000 if you are married or $ 30,000 if you are single, you may not be able to pay the premiums.

If you fall somewhere in between, the assurance of long-term care could be money well spent, protecting your economic health while covering the cost of treatment for your wellbeing physical.

Consider long-term care insurance purchase. Here are two numbers to note: 70% and 40%. According to statistics, there are 70% chances that you will need some type of long-term care after 65 years: at home or in a nursing home. And if you think something you only need to worry about once you hit your "golden years," that 40 percent of patients receiving long term care are age 65 or at the following an accident or because of a debilitating disease.

for example, property management Barry Shore was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome at age 55, and after a year, was still unable to walk or work. Fortunately, her care insurance long term more than covered its home care, and the other not covered by their medical insurance treatment. Here you can see its history.

Keep in mind that the premiums of the policy are the younger you are when you purchase coverage, and generally do not increase with age, unless an insurance company raises for a guaranteed class.

For more information, see the long-term care insurance section on the LIFE website. Then discuss your options with your insurance advisor.

During registration open at work, we are faced with the often confusing task evaluate options benefit of our employers offer. Often, these benefits can change from year to year, which complicates things even more. While you might be tempted to simply let your selections from previous performances "roll over," it is essential to take the time to examine and understand what is offered and make the necessary updates to your insurance and other plan selections to meet the changes that you have or will have in your life.

according to a recent survey by LIFE and LIMRA, among the top financial concerns of Americans today

• having enough money for a comfortable retirement
• to pay for medical expenses
• be able to take over in case of disability and unable to work

Open enrollment gives you the perfect opportunity to review your financial plans and insurance to ensure that you have a base in place to help prepare these types of potential expenditures. These eight tips will give you a hand:

1. Choose your options carefully. Unless a major life change, such as marriage, divorce or birth of a child, most benefit plans do not allow to make changes to your coverage of elections more once a year during open enrollment season. Be sure to consider your options carefully plan so that the choices you make to meet your current needs.

2. Do not assume that doing nothing to maintain your status quo. Allow your benefit options just roll from one year to another may seem like an easy decision when you are faced with many choices open enrollment. But do not take the initiative to evaluate new or changing options could mean missed on plans that could save you money and could leave you in a program that no longer meets your needs.

3. Consider a high deductible health plan. Review your health plan options to see if your employer offers a high deductible health plan. These plans can be cheaper if you do not plan to use your coverage often. However, you'll want to take money from your lower premiums and save. If you incur medical expenses, you may need the money to pay for them because you have to pay a larger deductible front. If you do not have high medical expenses, you will have saved money.

4. Find cost effective ways to enhance your life and / or disability insurance. Many companies offer their employees group life and disability insurance. Sometimes employers will provide a basic benefit life insurance or disability, at no cost to their employees. They can also offer an option for complete coverage through voluntary payroll deduction. It is important to consider the options available to maximize the opportunities where you might be able to increase the coverage of a cost effective manner.

5. Re-evaluate the amount of insurance coverage you need. If you have recently had a child or been married or divorced, it is important to update your insurance policies to reflect the changes of life. When the number of people who depend on you changes, it is likely that your health insurance coverage, life and disability will also change. The LIFE website offers several calculators, including a life insurance needs calculator and disability insurance needs calculator to help you determine how much coverage you should have.

6. Make sure your beneficiary information is up to date. Marriages, divorces, births or adoptions can often be overlooked when people review their policies and designated beneficiaries for things like life insurance or (k) account 401. You want to be sure your information beneficiary is updated based on your current life situation to avoid any confusion or potential problems during the claims process.

7. Calculate your medical expenses out of pocket. As the costs of health care continue to rise, it is important to consider taking advantage of a flexible spending account (FSA) or health account the backup (HSA). These types of accounts allow you to set aside a portion of your earnings before taxes to pay for eligible expenses such as co-pays doctor, prescriptions, daycare centers or even public transport and parking, depending on the type of offered account. If you currently contribute to an FSA or HSA, you can increase or decrease your premium based on your current needs.

8. Ask for help. Talk to your Human Resources representative or benefits counselor of your company about your benefit options during open enrollment. You will also need to consider your options with your spouse the benefit programs are better than others, so you may consider to be added to the plan of your spouse as a dependent or vice versa.

You've probably seen the before-ABC show "Extreme Makeover Home Edition :." Host Ty Pennington and his crew choose a family whose homes deteriorated, often as a result of a job loss, medical problems or death. The future of the chosen family is dark, and emotions run high with the description of lost dreams.

Extreme Makeover Home Edition by Patrishe on Flickr

But Ty and his crew, with help local construction companies and volunteers magically transform what was once a shack in an architectural masterpiece with the latest devices and design techniques.

with great flourish the owners, who have often been on a trip to Disneyland or another station for the week that their house had been transformed back to their farm, which is hidden behind the bus "Extreme Makeover ".

Ty With the command to "move that bus," the bus lurches forward revealing transformed the house, and with tears and gasps family races through their new corridors, discover the treasures their new home.

such was the scene a recent show featured the story of Tricia Urban, a young mother who lost her husband to heart problems, the day of their first child was born. they had an old farm in Pennsylvania and they fix their fairytale included some miniature horses, sheep, pigs and a peacock.

But when her husband died, the money to pay things off. the house went unfinished and fell into disrepair and new baby's future Cora fell into doubt

Now I love the emotion, drama and a good story as much as anyone, but the Tricia story made me think :. "I wonder how much life insurance of her husband? "I do not want to judge because maybe his heart problems prevented him from qualifying, but I thought," Gee, age, about $ 70 a month would have bought $ 1 million life insurance to help her wife and daughter still have a chance for their fairy tale. I bet it costs a lot just to feed the animals. "

And $ 1 million tax free income immediately delivered without probate, legal or accounting fees appeared to be much better bet than the hope that Ty and his crew makeover pull up in their bus and save the family when they are in trouble.

during a typical season, perhaps 13 families receive a unique gift in a life of the program. during a typical year the United States, 500,000 people die, leaving shattered lives, hospital bills, companies have failed, a lack of succession planning, illiquid investments, finished college dreams meager savings, incomplete retirement planning and a host of other financial problems those they love.

Applying the benefits of being on a TV show is taking a chance that someone will like your story. Application for insurance life to protect your family is a choice-a choice to make their fairytale continues, no matter what happens.

It's time to change your luck thought process of choice. Start here.

The real question is whether 80 is the new 65 by choice or by circumstance. Wells Fargo Bank has surveyed a group of Americans 20 to 70 years who earned between $ 25,000 and $ 100,000 asking questions about retirement savings and Social Security and came with some interesting information.

Three quarters of those surveyed said they expect to work into their retirement years. A quarter said they will work until at least 80 years to live comfortably in retirement, and you can be assured that this is not by choice. Given the choice, they would withdraw as soon as possible.

Nearly half (47%) of respondents said they plan to continue in the same job or a similar job responsibility. This, of course, assumes that they have the ability to continue in their same or similar jobs, the economy justifies their continued employment and their employer is willing to extend employment. And what happens if none of these options are available?

The survey found that three-quarters of Americans said it is more important to have a specific amount saved before retirement, regardless of age, while only 20% said that it is more important to retire at a given age, regardless of savings.

In terms of saving for retirement, 53% of respondents said they need to significantly cut spending now to save for retirement. Notice the word considerably. How likely are you to initiate a major change in lifestyle to achieve a target of 20 years or more in the future?

According to Wells Fargo, on average, Americans saved just 7% of their desired retirement nest egg, with a median of $ 25,000 recorded compared to a median retirement goal of $ 350,000. Americans have been saving less than what is needed for retirement and the majority do not trust the stock market as a place to invest for retirement.

On the issue of social security, there was an age gap. Those in their 60s expect Social Security to provide 46% of their retirement funding. But over 25% of people in their 20s and 30s expect no income from Social Security during their retirement.

This sounds like a very good reason to start planning now by going to an agent or adviser help navigate the options available to achieve their goals and reduce their dependence on government programs.

While most of us understand the need for our cars and homes, many do not consider the insurance that pays for those things ... our paychecks. It is crucial to understand the importance of properly insure your paycheck with disability insurance. Here are the answers six of the most pressing issues of people and disability insurance:

1. Where does the disability insurance shaped my financial plan?

Disability insurance is there to protect your income if you become sick or injured and unable to work. In essence, it protects your paycheck. Your financial plan must start and end with the income planning. Unless you first protect your income, there is no financial plan!

2. What about disability insurance through my work-isn't that enough?

who called disability insurance group. With this particular coverage, you are just a tenant. You are not in control because you do not have politics. It can be taken from you in an instant; your employer may waive or insurer may decide to stop the insurance group. You are their thank you.

In addition, 70% of employers do not offer insurance long term disability in the workplace, which means that if you have coverage, there is probably a short-term disability, it that would not help you meet your financial obligations if you were sick or injured for a long period of time.

Also, keep in mind that long-term disability group generally only covers your base salary, so bonuses, commissions, incentives, deferred compensation, the options purchase of shares and pension contributions are generally not covered. In most disaster scenarios, people are very disappointed with the adequacy of their group disability coverage.

3. How long-term care insurance differs disability insurance?

Simple. Disability insurance pays you and long-term care insurance generally pays someone else who provides care service.

4. How Disability Insurance differ from life insurance?

Regarding the replacement of the income and preservation of assets, there is no difference. The difference between the disability insurance and life insurance is that you are above or below six feet of earth. The main concept is to think that the chances of becoming disabled are much more than dying prematurely.

5. How much disability insurance should I have?

must have as much disability as possible. No less than 65% of your gross income is considered adequate. I have not met anyone who receives disability benefits who said that their advantage is more than enough. Unfortunately, when you are disabled, the truth is always the opposite; there is never enough money. That is why the additional disability insurance is often required to adequately protect the income of a person. You can get a working idea of ​​how much you might need here.

6. Where can I get disability insurance?

A good counselor or financial insurance agent will always offer disability insurance, which should be a clue when choosing an advisor. If you do not have an agent or adviser, you can start your search here.

We do a lot of great things to show our families and loved ones how much we appreciate and love them, planning big family vacation to take our significant other to a romantic night.

All these gestures show our love, but there is one thing you can do to cement that love in the future, even after you are gone, and that is to buy insurance -life.

to the LIFE Foundation, we Aore celebrating who, AOVE taken that extra step and life insurance coverage obtained with our line Ensure Your Love Mosaic. Over a thousand people have already downloaded photos to the mosaic of those They, AOVE protected. It, AOS therefore interesting to see how each story is different, but in its essence: take care of those you love. Take a look at these:

And, of course, I added my own:

And how about ? It only takes a few minutes and in doing so, you can help spread the word about the importance of protecting those you love with life insurance.

For each photo that gets uploaded to the mosaic, LIFE will donate $ 1 to fund scholarships for life lessons studies, giving tuition to college-age students who lost a parent.

and if you post a photo and caption of February 29 you, Äôll be entered LIFE, AOS photo competition, with a chance to win one of five $ 100 gift certificates so that you can take your loved one (s!) for a lovely evening.

We spend a lot of time talking about how couples, families and businesses can protect their financial future with life insurance. But what about if you only do you need life insurance, too?

There are people who have no children, person depending on their income, no financial obligations current and sufficient liquidity to cover their final expenses. But how many of those people do you really? And, more importantly, are you one of them?

I think it's important, then, to illustrate how a purchase of life insurance can be a smart financial move for someone who is single with no children. Ask yourself these three questions can help you get to the heart of the matter:

• Do you provide financial support for elderly parents or siblings
• Do you have a large debt that you not want to spend? the surviving family members if you were to die prematurely?
• Have family members pay for your education?

life insurance is a great way to meet these obligations, and in the case of tuition fees, pay the family members for their support. But do not take my word for it. Instead, "do your own calculation." A need that life insurance Calculator can help you quickly understand if there is a need, a need that you might not be aware of that could be easily treated with life insurance.

In addition to meeting all financial obligations you may have, the current economic climate was the permanent life insurance an attractive way to help you build a secure long-term rate of return on assets safe currency. cash value in traditional life insurance can provide a long-term rate of 3% to 5% return over 20 years. This can provide you money for opportunities, emergencies and even retirement.

For young singles, keep in mind that you have youth on your side. I do not want to sound trite. Instead, I want you to think about the fact that buying life insurance is very affordable when you are young and you can protect your insurability when there is a future need, perhaps, in time the spouse and children.

Although these reasons are valid, the most important reason for you to consider life insurance can be peace of mind you have knowing that your financial obligations will be met if some happens.

We are lucky enough to have some of the best insurance agents and financial advisors at our disposal (they form our board). So we thought we put them to work for you. We asked them: "What is your best advice for helping someone get their financial lives back on track or on track" And here's what they had to say:

The economy was hard on almost everyone. We had to cut things here and there. take a look at what you spend on a daily and weekly basis, keep a diary of expenses. you might be surprised at how much money you could save if you take your lunch to work a few days a week or make your own coffee in the morning. Then create an appropriate budget. Include in this budget how much you could save for the things that are really important. and remember to review your budget regularly to keep you on track. -Cindy Gentry, CLU, CHFC, LUTCF

save ... save ... save! No matter how hard it is in the world of today, it is important that you start and maintain a stable economy program, even if it is just a small amount for now. No one has ever regretted save money. -Ronald B. Lee, CLU, CHFC, CLTC

We spend more time planning a vacation than we keeping our financial lives on track. Get your "home" in good financial order with a budget by keeping track of your monthly expenses compared to your monthly income. Your goal should be to have money left over at the end of each month. If so, you are on the road to financial fitness. There will be bumps in the road, but as long as you maintain a balance limit expenses with the understanding of your income, and knowing that you can not spend more than you earn, you'll be on track in no time . -Robert N. Garneau, CLU, CHFC

It's time for a "financial physical." You can "feel" financially well, but on further analysis by a qualified professional, you can determine you jeopardize your financial future. You get a physical check to feel confident that you will not put your health at risk. Is not it logical to give the same respect to your financial health, too? "-Clarke Langrall, Jr., CEPA

Many people make plans for their holidays in the beginning of the year. How about spending some time making plans for your retirement or what happens to your children if something happens to you? -Michael L. Weintraub

Make a budget! most people do not know how and how much comes out. so they can never get a handle on the amount of "discretionary" income they have to ... spend, save, invest or buy insurance. If you do not know where you are, you will never be able to understand how you can go anywhere elsewhere! -Brian H. Ashe, CLU

Having a financial advisor to review your tax return. She can advise you if a tax-deferred annuity would reduce your taxes, for example. It can also provide advice on life insurance loans and / or dividends, and answer questions such as: Do you maximize the tax benefits of your policy? Would and long-term political benefit of care you and your heirs? -Patricia L. Krarup, CLU, CHFC, MSFS

Let us know what advice resonated most with you.

Did you know that for women aged 65 and over Social Security represents two-thirds of their income? Without Social Security, it is estimated that 58% of widows (age 65+) would live in poverty, according to a report by the Joint Economic Committee of the US Congress 2010. With inflation and other economic pressures, women who rely on social security for retirement income may be faced at some point with the choice between food or medicine, rent or car repairs, or a myriad of other financial dilemmas.

Have these women are considering such a lean future? Probably not. Only a few probably wish they understood the best money issues or actively invested in retirement.

You have the power to change your future by being aware of these situations affect your ability to save for retirement and taking proactive steps now to prevent problems in the future

Know that these factors will influence your ability to earn, save and will not outlive your money in retirement :.

women spend on average 12 years in the labor market. Often this is due to women taking responsibility-for children or adult members of the caregiving family. This means they have 12 years less than men in which they put money into their retirement funds

Women live longer On average, they live five years longer than men .. 80.5 years against 75.5 for men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and prevention. But they can actually spend a decade or more on their own due to divorce or widowhood.

Women face an earnings gap. Women earn only $ 0.78 for every dollar that men, according to the Bureau of Government Accounting. And the gap is even greater for women of color

Here are some areas where you can be proactive about ensuring a financially successful retirement :.

Make sure you get paid what you are worth in the workplace. Some women are reluctant to negotiate a better salary. Do not worry that it looks too aggressive; Men do it all the time. It takes confidence and probably a little research to affirm your professional value with your boss, but you need to do.

Do not equate a rich spouse with a pension plan. Remember, that destiny knows where that spouse and the money could end one day.

Make sure you have a plan in place. Most sensible is to sit down with a counselor who can guide you through what you might need now, as life insurance (for both you and your spouse, if married), the 'disability insurance and a solid investment strategy for your retirement. As you reach your middle years, the assurance of long-term care becomes an important factor in order not to destroy your retirement nest egg, if you or your spouse need care.

Preparing for a healthy retirement requires attention, patience and dedication. But most importantly, it requires you to take that first step. I invite you to do it now.

Jermaine Suggs lived the life of an average student when life dealt him a blow one to two: He lost his grandmother and father in a time of the week.

further, his father left behind a company deep in debt and no life insurance, forcing Jermaine rework its future.

"It says a common a person can take nothing with them in the afterlife. I would change this by adding that although nothing can be taken in the 'afterlife, something can be left behind. Call it a blessing after death and his name is life insurance "

What do you think of the quote from Jermaine?

So there I was, hanging out at the bar dinner last Tuesday. Next to me was this guy with a flight of wine glasses. Out of curiosity, I had to ask: "What is your favorite? He gave a long look at the three glasses and said, "Pinot of Washington. It is light, smooth and silky. "We exchanged names and continued to talk for some time that we spent the night. Later, Monica, our server asked if we were finished and we both said it was time to call it a night Monica harvested our bills and we presented our respective bills

both reached for our portfolio, therefore, it occurred to me when I asked...: "Hey, Tom, what is the most important card in your wallet?" Tom looked into his wallet and pulled out a picture of his children and smiled "Tom, I get that. they are important in your life! Which card do you? "

Tom fingers through multiple credit cards and landed on his VISA card. He started shooting and then saw one." John, it is my health card. "

"Yeah, that's what I thought as well as ..."

Tom quickly adds: "Until"

I stopped and said: "... until I learned that my health insurance card paid everyone but me You see, when I had my accident waterskiing and was confined to one. hospital bed, my medical card paid the hospital and the doctors put me back together, but he has never, ever paid me my salary. that's when I learned that the most important card to have in my portfolio my card-the card paycheck protection that shows I have disability insurance. that's what I paid income when I was unable to work. "

I share this story because I think Tom's response could be the same for most people, including you. So I want to challenge you to think about what would happen if you became ill or injured and unable to work? How long would you be able to make ends meet without your paycheck? In my case, the accident left me unable to earn an income for an extended period of time. I'm in a desperate financial situation without the income that my disability insurance policy provided me. That's why you need to protect your income with disability insurance. Learn more about www.protectyourpaycheck.org.

It is undeniable that, as a parent, you want the best for your child: good health, happiness and a productive and satisfying careers. And one of the keys to achieving this future is education and training.

According to The College Payoff (a 2011 report of the Center on Education and the Workforce), "In 02, the degree holder of a bachelor could hope to earn more than 75% on a lifetime than someone with only a high school diploma. Today, this premium is 84%. "According to the report, while, on average, a high school graduate can expect to earn 1 $ 3 million over a lifetime, a person with a bachelor's degree can expect to gain a life of $ 2.3 million, while those with graduate degrees can be even greater.

But a college education is not cheap. an article on Kiplinger.com quotes a price tag $ 28,500 average for a year at a private college non-profit before adding additional costs such as room and board, books and other expenses. and because of inflation, these numbers will only increase.

Not surprisingly, in addition to obtaining loans students themselves, many students rely on their parents for financial support. But what happens when parents are not there to help them? In situation Chezerea Ortiz, the loss of his father, in his words, "crumbled the foundation of my family." Not only had she to bear the burden of his college expenses on herself, but she was also concerned about the future of his younger brother. You can see history here.

Fortunately, as the largest recipient in 2011 prices Life Lessons Scholarship Program, Chezerea (right) received $ 10,000 to help defray his college expenses. (You can read the stories of others life lessons scholarship recipients www.lifehappens.org/scholarship-recipients)

And even if she is grateful for the help, it also stressed the importance " to be sure that the people who depend on us will be able to take care of things when we left ... life insurance is really one of the few comforts that we can leave our families "

now, ask yourself :. what would happen to your child if you were gone? What kind of future could your child expect? Would he have to choose between giving up their career goals or incurring a massive student debt? If your answer to these questions is "I do not know," then you should consider adding life insurance and disability insurance to your portfolio.

Life Insurance

So you hope to be there when your child graduates from college, the truth is there are no guarantees.. Having a life insurance policy in place can help finance future education of your child, even when you are not there to provide direct cash assistance

life insurance falls into two categories. the term and permanent term life insurance is more affordable but only provides protection for a specific period of time (eg, 20 years) and generally pays a benefit only if you die during the term. This can be a good option if you have a need for a cover that will end at a specific point in time, such as when your last child of university graduates.

Permanent life insurance provides lifetime protection, accumulates the value of the cash and pay the full face value death. Under the policy, you may also be able to enjoy an accelerated death benefit in the event of a terminal illness, which allows you to draw a portion or all of the death benefit to manage spending common, the rest supplied to your beneficiaries upon your death.

disability

Although you are channeling a portion of your earnings into a college fund for your child, what will happen if you are disabled and can 't work? You have three chances out of 10 to suffer a disabling illness or accident keeps you out of work for 0 days or more during your career. What would happen if your salary was to stop? Would you have to dip into savings to make ends meet? And how do you keep putting money aside for the education of your children?

If you think that you could rely on the government, think again. The average monthly benefit paid by Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a little over $ 1100 per month, and most people who apply for benefits are initially denied. But if you have a disability insurance policy in place, you will receive an income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury, helping to ensure that your plans for the future of your child can still become reality. To learn more about disability insurance, visit www.protectyourpaycheck.org.

So you can dream of the day when gowned cap and your son or daughter graduates, be sure to keep your eyes wide open to the realities of the financial costs of education superior. Having a life insurance policy in place, supplemented by the additional security provided by disability insurance, you will ensure that future education of your child is more than just a dream.

Over a million women will go through a divorce this year in the US, if the figures of the Census Bureau remain similar to last year, AOS. The emotional and psychological balance can not be measured, but the financial impact as possible.

financial bombs Besides the direct costs of a divorce which can be accessed on a spreadsheet, there are hidden there, if not recognized or addressed, could explode and destroy a woman, divorced AOS future carefully rebuilt.

There are countless financial pitfalls divorcing or divorced women face. I, AOM will highlight a few to watch:

Health Insurance
If your spouse was the one who carried out the health insurance benefits (and society has more than 20 employees), then you may be eligible to continue coverage under COBRA for 36 months. Meanwhile, you can find a job that offers health insurance coverage, or you can look for individual coverage on the open market. This solution is difficult if you have a preexisting condition. Some states do have a guaranteed program that waives a preexisting condition if you come from another plane. However, much is in the air with the reform of health care, so it preferable AOS to speak with an agent to understand your options.

life insurance
If you were covered as a dependent under your spouse's group plan, AOS, you, Äôll need to check to see if the benefits are portable (meaning that you can continue your coverage if you pay the premiums) or if coverage ends when you are no longer a dependent. If you are healthy, it makes sense whether an individual policy bought on your own is a better deal. It may be cheaper than carrying on group coverage. If you have a health problem, it makes sense to keep the benefits of the group if That, AOS possible.

If you have an individual policy, you can be OK, although it, Smart SOA to examine the amount to make sure it is adequate for your dependents, given your new marital status . In addition, in all cases, check your beneficiaries to ensure that your former spouse is no longer included, unless this is your intention.

qualified plans
Another common mistake is not to consider the beneficiary of a qualified plan (retirement account). Under federal law, your spouse is the beneficiary of your plan by default, unless a waiver is signed. When you go through a divorce, you need to make this change. Otherwise, if something were to happen to you and you were married, for example, your ex-spouse not your current spouse would get the money.

Disability Insurance
Disability Insurance, which provides income if you become ill or injured and unable to work, becomes critical when you are alone, as your support system has been halved. There are more than second or pay the same amount of savings and investments to rely on if something were to happen. This cover can often be obtained through your work; keep in mind that coverage ends when your work done. Or you can buy an individual policy on your own. Either way, the key is to know before something happens this type of coverage you have and how much of your income, it will cover.

In your 50s? Long-term care insurance
If you are in your 50s, it, Smart SOA to address the long-term care insurance. Historically, the most financially troubled individuals were older, divorced women, because they have less social security benefits have often been out of the workforce and many times do not have a pension. Long term care insurance is there for you if you need care, so you won, AOT need to tap into the money set aside for retirement.

I am 41 years old. I'm at the end of the tail of what was an out if particular litigation amicable divorce and undrawn. And I'm scared.

You see, all my life, I had health insurance. I've never had to think about it much, to be honest, because it's just always been there, always been available to me. During my life I have been covered by the policies of my parents, and health insurance provided by my assistant graduate school, my work for the last 10 years by the work of my husband. I've never had to worry about going to the doctor, pay for a prescription or to undergo tests. And now I see how extremely privileged and lucky I was that I should not address these concerns.

But before the end of summer, in a month or two, that will be true. And no, it would not be an exaggeration to say that terrifies me.

My daughter will always be covered by the policy of my ex, which is certainly a relief and blessing. And my health is good, which should help to qualify for lower rates. But in this aspect of my life, as with many others, I am now faced with a lot of uncertainty, and no strong sense of what my options are and what the future would reserve.

What kind of health insurance can afford even I as an independent single mother? Will I be able to go to the doctor regularly, or only disaster? What type of prescription coverage someone with my income can get, and where will that leave me if I become seriously ill? How will I be able to bear the additional expenses?

Friends suggested that I consider COBRA, but from what I heard, the rates are generally higher than if I tried to write off and get the assurance of my own, since I am healthy. My first plan of attack is to approach the family insurance provider used those 10 years or more, and basically ask what they can offer me, and at what cost per month.

I found a few websites that appear to be information centers health care plans where you can purchase plans online, but I worry about going through a Web site for coverage. My biggest fear, however, is to have any real sense of the reasonable cost are the different types of coverage, I could get stuck with a plan that is not what I need.

How have those who 'have been in my position has found reasonable health insurance that meets your needs?

I also realize that I have to look at other types of insurance. Life insurance, for one, is something I've never had.

Where do you begin to approach these issues? I would love to hear your experiences, your ideas and suggestions on these subjects believe me, I can use them.