Guaranty Association Benefits Company

A new study Merrill Lynch / Age Wave found that 47% of respondents aged 50 and over who identified themselves as retirees working or planning to work during their retirement years. In addition, 72% of pre-retirees in this age group said their ideal retirement will include some form of work. Retirement, which was from 62 to 65 years, is now generally 65 to 69.

The financial crisis unforgotten can play a role in those years of prolonged labor. Many people panicked after the market crash, are out of stock and has never had before. They locked the losses they took then and are still trying to recover.

Often overlooked in these situations is the need for life insurance beyond the "normal" retirement years.

people are living longer these days and may be afraid of outliving their money. Even those who are financially are worried. One solution is to work a few more years. Work can be full or part time, depending on the health and interests of the individual, but often overlooked in these situations is the need for life insurance beyond the "normal" years of retirement.

If you still need to work to make ends meet after retirement, what happens to your surviving spouse and family members if you were to die? The need for income does not disappear.

The solution to this problem is life insurance that remains in effect after your normal retirement age. If you do not survive long enough to complete your financial goals for that comfortable retirement, life insurance can fill the gap and replace the income that has been lost.

You would not think to make half your car, home or other important personal property, would you? Yet when people are looking to buy a life insurance policy, a common perception is that only a small multiple of your income in terms of coverage is actually "necessary". However, it often falls short of what your potential real gain would be throughout your life. - Your so-called "value of human life"

value of human life Solomon Huebner, Ph.D. .D., an expert in early risk insurance and management economy and known as the "father of the insurance education", defined as "the accumulated monetary value of earning capacity resulting from economic forces that are embedded in our being: namely, character and health, our education, training and experience, our personality and the industry, our creative power and our driving force to achieve economic mind images. "*

your greatest asset

in simple terms, your full value of human life must take into account the financial sum all that you could have won or product in your life. It is probably your biggest asset and, therefore, the key legacy for your family, business interests and charitable.

The thoughts of Huebner reinforce that there are many benefits that a family can enjoy the income protection, such as buying a house and raising and educating children. While life insurance can never replace a person, the death benefit of the policy will help survivors financially in case of death of the insured.

It is estimated that it takes the average family at least five to seven years to get their finances back on track after the death of a breadwinner.

to assess the financial loss of your family would incur, try using this calculator value human life to find what your estimated lifetime income would be.

What you have at work is probably not enough

you may think that the insurance policy you have in your workplace can be sufficient, but it usually covers only about 1.5 times your annual salary. the average family at least five to seven years it is estimated that it takes to get their finances back on track after the death of a breadwinner. And sometimes it takes much more than that. the financial security of your family deserves a longer-term strategy.

The good news is that you should not do this alone. It is important to work with a professional financial representative you are comfortable and have a conversation about what is best for your current situation

Our lives are our most valuable asset. it's time to protect your family or business life insurance.

* S. S. Huebner, The Economy of Life Insurance page 5 (Executive Asset Mgmt. 3rd ed. 1996) (1927)

Preston Newby was youth minister. He and his wife, Tara, were driving with their son to visit family excited to announce a new baby on the way. In keeping with the kind of person Preston was, he stopped to help at the scene of an accident. That's when he was hit by another car and killed. He was only 24.

Fortunately, this young couple had their planning and bought a life insurance policy. Thus, despite the emotional turmoil that caused the death of Preston, Tara, a housewife, and her two son were financially able to continue as before. You can watch their story here.

How many other people have prepared as for the unexpected? Unfortunately, not enough: more than 95 million adult Americans have no life insurance

Many people think: "I'm young .. This will not happen to me. "Statistically, they may be right. However, they could be being one of the statistics. You do not know and that's the problem. The solution is life insurance.

If you people you love and who depends on you, or if you have financial obligations to meet, you need life insurance to protect against the "if" -at all stages of life.

single you may think you do not need life insurance, since you have no dependents, but if you owe money, you need ensures. your debts, including student loans, will not be transmitted to your family. in addition, life insurance will never be cheaper than when you're young and healthy

married :. as you begin your life together, you will likely incur joint financial obligations such as buying a house, in addition to monthly bills. It makes sense to protect your spouse with adequate life insurance. It is also a smart move to get coverage up now if you plan to have a family

Parents with children :. If you are in the middle of this stage, financial obligations abound. Many couples rely on two incomes to make ends meet and single parents can be one and only of their children. Life insurance is essential at this stage. When know how much you need, remember that the economic impact that you have on your family can be measured not only by how much you earn now, but by how much you earn during your working life. Life Happens' Human Life Value Calculator can help you determine what will be

empty nests / retired :. Your children are themselves and your mortgage is paid off, so you may think you do not need life insurance. However, many people have lost part of their retirement nest egg during the recent recession and may not have had time to rebuild it. Life insurance ensures that if something happens to you that your spouse or partner can still live comfortably in retirement, despite deficits

Remember, life insurance is a response simple to an important question :. Someone suffer financially if I had to die. If the answer is yes, it is time to sit down with an insurance agent.

As we round the year, we just want to say thank you for joining us here on the blog and we'd also like you and see your comments and feedback on our Facebook page , Twitter and other social media sites.

As a parting gift for 2014, here are some of our best posts that stimulated most of the comments, shares and likes. Enjoy

• advocacy Mother: "It is always difficult for me to share this story, but I think it's very important to let other young people know that no promise of tomorrow, and you need to prepare for that life insurance. Please do not wait. "His story.
• Having life insurance protects your family against financial hardship if you were there. Watch
• A father thought $ 10,000 was enough life insurance, because that would be it boils down to this :. life insurance is not for people who die "cover his funeral."; it is for the people who live so. Jeff Rose gave him a number of things to think about here.
• a mom gets a second chance. Would you? (Make sure you wait for the "flip"! )

If you are expecting a child and are considering life insurance, the first thing I must say is smart move! But if this is your first time looking for coverage, you may have questions. Some typical ones I've heard over the years:

1. What type of life insurance coverage is best for new parents-term or permanent? Before determining what type of coverage you need, you must first understand how death benefit you need to protect your family. You can easily calculate online to get an idea of ​​how much work you may need in this life is life insurance needs calculator passes.

Then you can go to kind of coverage- term or permanent meets your needs. One advantage of term life insurance is that it costs less permanent, at least initially. This makes it affordable for young families who may not have a lot of disposable income, but have a great need for coverage. Permanent insurance provides both permanent coverage and a function of cash accumulation, which can be a valuable source of money that you can tap into the future.

Often, the best solution may be a combination of term and permanent life insurance. The long-term policy can give you additional coverage during the years when the children are at home, with the permanent policy offering permanent coverage.

If you want a working idea of ​​what you might need, try our online product selector. Answering a few basic questions will give you a quick answer.

While a housewife is not compensated for his work ... it would be expensive to replace all these things she does.

2. Should you consider different types of coverage if you are working mum versus a housewife? Both working and stay at home moms need protection because they do for their families is so valuable. While a stay at home mom is not compensated for their work, if something were to happen to him, it would be expensive to replace all these things she does, from child care to home care to ensure the family gets when they have to go when they need to be there.

the difference between the two is that the working mother also contributes income, which can be critical for the family financially. This means that she needs to think about replacing that income when you consider how much life insurance coverage, it may need.

3. The company I work for offers life insurance, is it enough? Group insurance is a great thing to have, but it is limited in a number of ways. First, the coverage is often a lump sum like $ 50,000, or it may be one to two times your salary. This may seem a lot of money, but my question is this: Honestly, how long the money last? And what would happen to your family financially after missing?

Second, when you leave this job, you usually lose that coverage. If you do not have an individual policy you own, you will be leaving your family at risk. Think about how many times people change jobs, and you'll soon realize that group coverage, which is limited in scope and quantity, is not a proper life insurance plan.

Are there any restrictions that I have to consider now that I'm pregnant? If it is early in your pregnancy, and no medical complications, you should be able to get life insurance. If you are away and there are medical problems, it may difficult to obtain. The life insurance company may want to wait until your child is born. That's why I advise those who plan to have children to get coverage as soon as possible.

A healthy 30-year-old woman could get $ 250,000 in life insurance coverage for only 41 cents a day.

What can I expect to pay for life insurance? How much you pay for life insurance is based on a number of things, but especially the age and health. So it depends what age and your health! But here's an example: A healthy 30-year-old woman could get $ 250,000 in life insurance coverage (for a long-term policy in 20 years for a non-smoking) for only 41 cents day. That's certainly a lot of peace of mind for 41 cents.

And do not forget your husband or partner. The two of you could get $ 500,000 of combined coverage (using the example of two 30 years each for a term policy level 20 years $ 250,000) to the right at about $ 24 per month .

And my last piece advice: talk with a life insurance agent at this stage can be very useful. They can do a needs assessment and find the right type and amount of life insurance that works for your family budget. And what many people do not realize is that the agent will sit down and offer this advice for free, no strings attached. If you want to help find a professional life insurance, you can start here.

If you want to get the most affordable type of life insurance, be prepared to undergo a medical examination. Before you issue a policy, the life insurance companies must first determine if you are prone to diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, etc.

A paramedic company working with your carrier will be sent to a certified medical professional (a paramed) to perform medical tests and send the results to the insurer of the company. The subscriber will then evaluate the results and determine if it is in their best financial interest to make sure. This risk assessment determines your life insurance rates. The biggest risk you pose, the more your premiums until the company decides it can not cover you at all.

The following will give you a solid idea of ​​how you need to prepare when you have to take a medical exam life insurance. Otherwise, you may want to start considering a no medical exam policy.

What to Expect

As part of your medical examination, paramed measure your height and weight, your blood pressure, and collect samples blood and urine. Then the paramed confirm the answers you provided on the health questionnaire you have completed as part of the application for life insurance.

The paramed measure your height and weight, your blood pressure and collect blood and urine.

Some insurance companies require an EKG to test your heart, especially if you are 50 or older. Most insurance companies will also carry a specific antigen (PSA) for prostate on male candidates over 50.

Finally, if you are a smoker or a tobacco user, be honest and admit because companies are testing for cotinine in your system, a chemical that will tell you use tobacco. Medical examinations same test for drug abuse, such as marijuana and cocaine.

Steps to take an exam

Program the examination for the early morning. Because you have to fast for six to eight hours before an exam, a medical examination of the morning will make that task a lot less stressful. Even a piece of fruit before the examination may read as high levels of glucose. Everything you eat beforehand can affect your blood tests and drop you from a favorite health class.

Skip your morning coffee and cigarettes. Caffeine and nicotine raise blood pressure to avoid your morning coffee and tobacco products. This can be difficult for some, but believe me, it is worth the thousands of dollars of potential savings during the term of your policy.

Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated will make it faster and easier to donate blood. Drinking water will also help to give a urine sample.

Do not eat salty or fatty foods. Cholesterol and blood pressure test results may be affected. For best results, avoid salt and excess fatty foods for five to seven days before your exam; However, 24 hours is the minimum time recommended.

Avoid excessive exercise . Conserve energy for 24 hours before your exam. Stay away from the gym and avoid intense cardio. Exercise can increase your blood pressure and pulse.

Avoid alcohol and drugs. refrain from drinking alcohol and taking drugs, including tobacco and marijuana. Alcohol can leave you dehydrated, which not only makes it difficult to draw your blood, but can also cause increased liver function.

Get plenty of sleep the night . While the value of a good night's sleep will not give you a draft own health law, sleep compensates anxiety and fear. When you are well rested, your blood pressure will be lower, leading to better results.

Having a list of all medications you are currently taking. Your examiner will ask about your medical history, including the use of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines.

Do not schedule an exam during a menstrual period. Women should not take a medical exam life insurance during their menstrual period, or if they have any kind of vaginal discharge because it can contaminate a urine analysis.

Let the examiner know if you have an aversion to needles or medical tests. There is no need to submit to high levels of anxiety for this review. If you are anxious, your blood pressure results of tests indicate health problems. Talk to your reviewer and explain your concerns. They can note your fear or phobia on file for review by the insurance company and underwriter.

final word

If you follow these steps for your life insurance medical exam, you will feel calm and prepared, and able to achieve the best results, which increases your chances of getting low rates.

on the left hand you are denied coverage, do not give. You can choose to improve your health with a balanced diet, regular exercise and control of any medical problems (ie diabetes) or decide to reapply for a transmitting life policy guaranteed.

Although more expensive, the insurance guaranteed life is a non-medical type of coverage. Due to its high and limited amounts of death benefit premiums, it should be a last resort. Your first and best option will most likely be traditional term life insurance.

The point is, never feels not hopeless. There is always a life insurance policy available to ensure the financial future of your family.

Snowmelt. The flowers are in bloom. Spring is here and for many that means rid their homes of cobwebs and clutter that has accumulated during the winter.

Spring also a good time to give your finances a good cleaning. Many may be changed in your life over the past year, and some seasonal editing work is a good way to stay on top of your finances and possibly save some money in the process. It's time to get to work.

Bank
If you moved around a lot, you may end up with accounts opened at a few different banks, and a bunch of monthly statements and other correspondence in result. Simplify and rationalize by consolidating your accounts in a single financial institution. Not happy with your current bank? Now might be a good time to go.

Once you have your accounts in order, check with your bank to see if you qualify for better interest rates or lower fees.

Also, move your online banking life to save space. Many banks offer monthly statements online and give you access to old checks and monthly statements by computer as well. Pay all your bills electronically is another good way to get rid of excess paper.

Credit cards and debt
have not checked your credit score in time? According to a 2013 study by the Federal Trade Commission, 5% of people have errors on their credit report at one of the three major reporting errors-organisms that could be detrimental to their score and forcing to pay more for loans and insurance.

Even a change of 50 points in your score can make a huge difference when shopping for loans.

Even a change of 50 points in your score can make a huge difference when shopping for loans and inaccuracies in your credit report can drag your score down as much. Pull your reports from all three major credit bureaus, you can do to AnnualCreditReport.com, review and ask that errors are corrected.

Then take a look at the interest you pay on your credit card balances and compare it with other credit cards. Credit card companies are often willing to lower your rates if you are a long time customer with a history of making payments on time. It does not hurt you to ask.

retirement accounts and investments
Many people have at least one retirement account from a former employer sitting around collecting dust. Instead of dealing with multiple 401 (k) accounts, roll in a streamline your retirement savings.

Watch your 401 (k) beneficiaries. If you have not updated this information in a while, you could still be a list of your parents as beneficiaries of a 401 (k) you got your first job. If you are married and / or have children, you'll probably want to change that. The same with divorce. You probably do not want your ex listed as the beneficiary.

Consider increasing your 401 (k) contributions. At a minimum, you should be set aside enough to gain full match your business.

life insurance
Many people think life insurance as a 'set and forget' product. They pay the premium, but if not, do not pay attention the coverage they chose when they got political. and it can be very good if you do not have life changing events your insurance needs. But take another look if you :.

• married or divorced, which means you need to update your beneficiaries and check to see if your coverage is correct
• do more than when you bought the policy, which affects the amount your family needs for income replacement.
• had more children, increasing the amount necessary cover child care, college and other expenses .
• have a new mortgage, which changes the amount and duration of the life insurance policy you need.

one in four Americans say they need more life insurance, but only one in 10 say they are likely to buy a policy next year, according to 2014 insurance Barometer Study by Life Happens and LIMRA. If this is your year to take the plunge for life insurance, life happens' life insurance needs Calculator can help you assess your insurance needs.

Give these five areas of a good spring clean and head into the summer with your finances neat as a pin.

Let's be realistic. If you have adequate investment and retirement portfolio; if you have arranged for your health care costs; if not you have an account on you for financial support, maybe, just maybe you can afford to retire.

Did you know that 65 healthy man has a life expectancy of 87 and a woman, 89; and 38% of men and 50% of women will live to age 0, according to recent research on longevity risk and retirement.

So you still need life insurance as you head into retirement? Let's look at three reasons you might.

1 You have children and grandchildren-who-may need your support. How much would it cost to raise a child to 17 years? In households with incomes over $ 105,000, it is estimated at $ 399,780. Per child. No college expenses. combined fees may be $ 650,000 or more. How many children do you have? What happens when they go home to live after they graduate? How long will they stay? What happens if you are not there to pay these costs? Do you have adequate life insurance?

Grandparents provide the main financial support for one of 10 grandchildren, and 49% of parents aged 60 and over still provide financial assistance to an adult child. Does it still need life insurance protection? Absolutely!

2. You support your parents. What about adult children who are the support of parents who are 65 or over? About 15% of people aged 40 to 59 provide this support while still raising a young child or an adult child. For people 60 and older living with a parent, 50% of parents need help with day-to-day. Does the caregiver still need life insurance? What happens if caregivers are not there?

3. You will need to take into account the medical and long-term care in retirement. Now let's talk about the cost of medical care after retirement. According to Fidelity Investments, the average 65-year old couple will spend $ 220,000 in 2013 dollars in medical bills out of pocket during retirement. Have you planned your retirement planning? Keep in mind that this does not include the costs of long term care.

Long-Term Care is currently $ 250 per day in Tampa, Florida. That's $ 91,250 per year. The average 65 year-old woman will need this support for 3.7 years against 2.2 years for men, but I know a number of cases where the person was in a nursing home for 10 years or more. Have you planned for it?

Permanent life insurance accumulates cash value, you are able to access while you're alive for any financial needs you may have.

The solution
So, let's return to the permanent life insurance life insurance, also known as cash-life insurance value. Permanent insurance, unlike term life insurance provides lifetime protection, as long as you pay the premiums. Because it is designed to last a lifetime, permanent life insurance accumulates cash value, you are able to access while you're alive for any financial needs you may have.

He will be there when it is needed most and provides guarantees, versatility and flexibility to your changing life situations. Cash-value life insurance provides security, dignity and peace of mind and solves the problem of risk for pennies on the dollar.

If you love someone, need someone or have someone dependent on you, you need life insurance.

When you think about life insurance, which usually comes to mind is the benefit of death-money that is paid to your beneficiaries when you die. And this is certainly the main reason most people life insurance.

Keep in mind, however, there are two major types of insurance. Life insurance provides protection for a specific period of time (the "Term") such as 10 or 20 years, and usually pays a benefit only if you die during the term.

Permanent life insurance, by contrast, offers lifetime protection, as long as you pay the premiums. Because it is designed to last a lifetime, permanent life insurance generally accumulates cash value. That means there are significant benefits of living in permanent life insurance, the benefits you can leverage to finance the possibilities of life.

Here are five things you probably did not know you could do with the permanent life insurance.

1. Financing a college education. Over time, your policy accumulates cash value, and you can borrow against the value of money and use it to help pay for college or other secondary education. In fact, you can use the money for anything you want, but the example is here pay for college. No bank loan application. No form of financial aid. Just ask for the money and it is yours.

You can borrow against the value of money and use it to help pay for college or other secondary education.

Exploiting the combination of your policy cash value will impact your death benefits, so be sure to discuss your plans with your financial advisor.

2. Start a business. The harsh reality of starting a business is that banks do not lend money to companies without earnings. This means that you need to fund the business yourself, either from your own savings or by borrowing from friends and family. An often overlooked source of funds for a new business is the cash value of your life insurance policy. If Walt Disney can borrow from his life insurance to create Disneyland, you can use your life insurance to make your dreams come true too.

3. Take time to care for an elderly parent. A mine of talks coworker about how lucky she was to be able to get out of work early in his career to spend time to attend to family matters. She was able to do this in part because it could draw on the accumulated cash value of his life insurance policy.

Contrary to send a child to college or start a business, you can not control when these sorts of family emergencies, but you can make sure you are financially ready when it happens.

4. Get money if you have a chronic illness. If you become chronically ill, and stay badly enough that you can not perform two of six activities of daily life, some permanent life insurance policies can allow you quick access to the death benefit. You effectively get use money from your death benefit while you are alive, then your beneficiary will get any rest when you die.

Of course, this reduces the benefits to your beneficiaries so it is not a substitute for insurance long term care.

5. Expand your 401 (k). Due to the protection offered by your life insurance policy, you might be able to take a more aggressive allocation strategy in your 401K investments. Also, because you can tap into the cash value of your insurance policy to cover the first years of retirement, you can leave the money in your 401 (k) develop much more.

These ideas are not good for everyone. I mention them here only to illustrate some of the ways other people have resorted to living benefit their life insurance. Talk to your financial and professional advisors to ensure that they are appropriate for your situation, but know that life insurance is more than just paying a death benefit.

My wife and I had our first child in May. The moment they left us to take our beautiful daughter home from the hospital without a nurse to guide us was when we realized the responsibility found that a child brings!

For the last nine years working as a consultant, I help others to plan for the most important events of their lives, including marriage, children, retirement and leave a legacy for their family. By entering a new stage, I thought I would share some of the financial steps I've taken to help secure the financial future of my family.

Create a will and trust contingent. This is one of the most important first steps. Choosing a guardian for your children helps to ensure that they are raised by someone who you think share the same values. A contingent trust ensures that the money your child receives all of your hard work and planning is distributed according to your wishes instead of giving them complete control over everything the minute they turn 18.

update beneficiary forms. Make sure you check all your pension and insurance so something does not fall through the cracks. Many accounts with beneficiary designations will never pass through your will, so it is important that they are also updated.

start saving for college. There are different options available. You should consult a tax advisor and financial advisor to help determine which is best suited to the financial situation of your family. I opened a 529 plan for our daughter. The money in the plan can be used at almost any institution of higher education accredited in the world.

to purchase life insurance. My wife and I both have increased the amount of life insurance we have. We made a combination of term and permanent insurance to ensure we have the total we need at a price we can afford.

Buy disability insurance. When you're young, your potential future income is your greatest asset. Obtain disability insurance coverage as you can comfortably cover your income if you become ill or injured and can not work. A disability that lasts more than three months is much more common than you think.

Consider a small whole life insurance policy. I bought my daughter a policy. It accumulates tax-free savings and a guaranteed purchase option, which gives him the opportunity to purchase additional insurance when she is an adult, regardless of health status at that time.

Look FSA a dependent. many companies have such plans in place and are a way to pay for some of your care expenses with tax-free money. It is "use it or lose it" design, so you want to make sure you spend at least the amount you choose to have retained.

My goal as a counselor is to help families preserve wealth through several generations. These are some of the first steps you can take when you have a child to make sure you are on track to do so.

This article is intended for information purposes and should not be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell security products or securities. securities offered Ceros Financial Services, (not affiliated with Resource 1, Inc.). 1445 Research Boulevard, Suite 530, Rockville, MD 20850. (866) 842-3356 FINRA Member / SIPC

Before buying a 529 plan, you should consider if your state or the original state of your designated beneficiary offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in qualified tuition program such state.

Did you know that it may be possible for your money and assets to be bound in the approval by the court a year are not uncommon, if you were to die?

This is why it is important to consider the beneficiaries of your life insurance policies and ensure that they will be paid to a designated beneficiary (a person) and not the estate. This will prevent the money from being part of the probatable succession.

This is why it is important.

The approval is simply the Latin word for proof, which means that the approval process of succession is the process by which your will is brought before a court to prove that he is a will valid. The courts responsible for this responsibility are generally known as probate courts, which can effectively oversee the administration or settlement of your estate

The approval process is governed by the laws of the State aim to achieve three main objectives:

1. to preserve the property assets
2. to protect the rights of creditors in the payment of their debts before the estate is distributed to heirs
3. to ensure that the heirs receive their inheritance in accordance with the terms of the will of the owner succession

once the personal representative of the estate (executor or administrator if the owner of the estate died without naming a personal representative) is approved by the probate court and positions of the link is required, the approval process generally takes place as follows:

• personal representative must "prove" the will to prove he is valid will be signed by the property owner who was competent and not under duress or influence when signing
• the notice must be given by staff representing all creditors to make a quick claim for money belonging to them by the estate
• personal representative shall prepare and file an inventory and evaluation of real estate assets
• personal representative must manage and liquidate real estate, if necessary to pay all debts and taxes owed by the estate
• Finally, the remaining estate is to be distributed to heirs according to the will owner of the estate (or the state laws of intestacy if there is no will)
• it is not uncommon for the probate process to require a year or more and considerable expense before the estate is finally settled, good planning can be used to minimize the impact of the registration process of your estate and heirs.

ensuring that your life insurance benefits are paid to a designated beneficiary and not the estate, you will prevent the product from death to be part of the succession probatable , saving time and expense in the distribution of products to your beneficiaries.

As you can see, this is a complex issue that is best worked on with your financial, insurance and legal advisors.

may know Anthony Anderson of his hit TV series black-ish and as an host of Eat America , but this actor and comedian is front and center this month promoting the power of life insurance that life happens "spokeswoman insurance -life awareness month. Here it opens on life and life insurance.

Life insurance is generally considered a fairly serious business. Why is someone famous for their sense of humor spokesperson of Life Insurance Awareness Month?
Anthony Anderson For free insurance! I laugh! Joking aside. I've seen what happens to families who do not have life insurance. I just buried a childhood friend who had no life insurance, so we all had to come together and help bury him and take care of his family. And his story is similar to many stories across the nation about people who do not have life insurance.

Over 100 million Americans have no life insurance. That is why I am a part of this to spread the word and raise awareness for those individuals and communities to let them know that it is to be prepared and take care of your family.

What was your first experience with life insurance?
Anthony: This is Marie. We simply called him The Lady Insurance. It was a device in our house growing up. She made sure that my parents had life insurance and would stop by a couple times a year to check on us. She also sold my first policy when I was 18. So my experience with life insurance growing up was basically something that prepared us if one of our parents died doing so that our future was secure.

You have no idea what tomorrow will bring, but we can do it today and today we are talking about life insurance.

Your parents a great example. Is this something you have done with your children?
Anthony: I certainly shared the life lesson that you have to plan for the future. I'm leading by example, too. I increased my coverage of life insurance that my financial situation has changed. That crosses my mind is: How much life insurance do I need for my family would not fight if something happened to me. I think this applies to everyone, regardless of income or background

What most Americans not know life insurance
Anthony:.? it is an investment in the future of their family. If something happens to the head of the house, the family falls apart. But if they have life insurance, the family can stay together and continue with their lifestyle. I think wrongly that we must clarify for people who do not really know.

Many people say they can not afford life insurance. What would you say to them
Anthony: I grew up in Compton. We did not have much money, but my parents made life insurance a priority. They paid the bill to ensure that their family was protected. I do not understand people who will grab a latte and whip their smartphone and say they can not swing $ 15 or $ 30, or whatever basic life insurance could cost them each month.

people also believe that a disease like diabetes make ineligible for a life insurance cover, but this is not necessarily true, is it
Anthony: I have type 2 diabetes and obtained life insurance. It is all about managing your disease. I exercise and eat well right most of the time at least! So with the work I put in and with the help of my doctor, it is under control. I encourage everyone to get healthy for their sake and the sake of their family. In many cases, you can still get a life insurance if you stay as healthy as possible and control of your disease.

Unfortunately, your father died of diabetes complications, and your younger brother was tragically killed in an accident while he was in his 20s. How life insurance come into play
Anthony: lose people you love is never easy, it is devastating. But why do a lot worse by launching financial problems above it all? My father and brother both had life insurance, which came through for us during this time really, really hard

Any parting advice
Anthony:.? the message I would leave people with is that you have to plan for the future. You have no idea what tomorrow will bring, but we can deal with it today -and today we are talking about life insurance. If you get life insurance, the future of your family is taken care of.

One of the questions I have received over the years is "Do me my sport cause problems in buying a new life insurance? "the answer in most cases is no, but there are hobbies that can be a problem for the underwriters in the insurance company.

Here is a list of seven high-risk sports that are problematic as for life insurance

. 1. Ice climbing. Unlike their mountain-climbing counterparts, ice climbers are in constant danger of causing self-inflicted stab wound of one of their razor spikes, which is their # 1 source injury. Not to mention the possibility that the ice they are climbing can crack and take them with her.

2. Free running. Free running from roof to roof jump at full speed. No cables, no parachute, no insurance. Free running is practiced in urban areas that have a lot of guardrails and concrete walls for participants to jump, flip and tumble over acrobatically. I call running, jumping, bleeding.

3. Base Jump. Talk about crazy! I do not want to look down from a great building, and I have certainly not want to jump into the unknown of any height. Yes, I remember when I was a child and wanted to fly like superman, but a basic rider? No way. Furthermore, BASE jumping is illegal in the United States unless it is running by a professional at an event, so that you not only not get insurance, but you may end up in prison.

4. Heli-skiing. A skier fell from a helicopter on fresh white powder in an isolated section of the mountain, a place where there is no other way to get there. There is a possibility to start an avalanche or falling through a patch of ice, and if you do, it can be almost impossible to rescue.

5. Street Luge. Loosely described, this is the equivalent of lying on your skateboard and have your friend push you down Lombard Street in San Francisco. Riders on the street luge boards can reach 70 mph.

6. Big-wave surfing. Surfers dream of riding the "big" wave and are willing to travel around the world to catch one, and by the great I mean the monster 50 feet. What are the risks? broken bones, drowning, shark attacks. No thanks. I'll watch it on television.

7. Cliff diving. Have you thought about jumping off a 0 foot cliff? In water that feel like concrete when you hit? The biggest problem does not hit the water, because you can hit the side of the cliff on the way down; or slam against the rocks in the ocean below. You could also break a hip or suffer an injury to the spinal cord by landing feet first into the water. If it were me, I would die of a heart attack on the way down.

So yes, there are sports in which only the very brave or foolish should participate, but if you do, do not expect to buy a practice-rated life insurance or perhaps a life insurance.

It is difficult for our finances in order, not because it is particularly difficult, but because it is boring ... ? Tedious? The last thing we want to spend time on? To remedy this, here are four tips that you can take on and accomplish

1. Make sure you have a life insurance or enough. Do you really need life insurance? Well, answer this question: Does your family suffer financial if anything to you? If the answer is yes, you need life insurance. Then comes the question, how much? There are a number of factors that go into determining how much life insurance you may need. But it should not be difficult. Instead, use the Life Insurance Calculator needs, and in just minutes you can have a working idea of ​​the amount you need. If you already have life insurance, why not use this calculator to make sure you have enough!

And do not let the cost or you actually received cost-stop to get coverage. Did you know that 80% of people overestimate the costs how much life insurance? And those under 25 think it is four times more expensive than it actually is. We will frame this way, you are 30 and in good health, a life insurance policy term of 20 years level with $ 250,000 in coverage can cost about $ 13 per month. This is the equivalent of a few drive-through Starbucks lattes. Here are a number of ways you can get coverage or find an agent if you do not have it.

Would you like your former spouse to get your life insurance if something were to happen to you because you forgot to change the beneficiary on your policy?

2. Review your life insurance beneficiaries. Do you want your ex to get your life insurance if something were to happen to you because you forgot to change the beneficiary of your policy? Do you want the money to get tied up in court because you named your minor children as beneficiaries? These are false that occur more than you think. Add to that the fact that people can have more than one policy, for example through workplace (Group Policy) that they purchased individually.

This is exactly the kind of thing a life insurance agent or advisor can help. And it costs you nothing to talk with them about it. Also, if you crossed tip # 1, they can double check that the amount of coverage that you came up with for your needs. Also, it is honestly a lot less hassle to have someone who knows what they do help you out, and is not that what we're trying to achieve here get done?

3. Do not skip disability insurance. Many people are not really aware of what disability is and what it does. Basically, it replaces part of your income if you are unable to work because of a disabling illness or injury. Why is this important? Think about how much time you can make ends meet to pay the rent or mortgage and all your monthly bills if your paycheck suddenly disappeared. A Life Happens survey found that the majority of those working would not more than one month before they would have to do some serious financial sacrifices. Again, an online calculator can help; Start with this unit need disability insurance.

So how do you get? Your employer may offer disability insurance coverage through a group plan. If you are not sure, contact your Human Resources or Benefits Administrator to determine what type of coverage you have (if any). If you are not covered, or need more than what is offered through work, buying your own disability insurance policy is worth considering. Unlike group coverage, private insurance stays with you even if you change jobs.

Also keep in mind that most people overestimate what the government will pay or cover if something were to happen. According to the National Safety Council, 73% of long-term disabilities are the result of an injury or illness that is not work-related and therefore not eligible for workers' compensation. And if you were hoping for disability benefits from Social Security, you should know that about 45% of those who apply are initially denied, and those who are approved receive an average monthly benefit of about 1 $ 100, leaving you live at about the level of poverty.

4. Automate your emergency fund. Although not as fundamentally critical that the advice above, this will probably be the biggest impact on your life day to day. Each of us is faced with unexpected events which are expensive, a major car repair, a leak in the roof, a job loss ... the list, as you know, can seem endless. To give you peace of mind and little cushion, set aside a certain amount each month, it could be $ 50 or $ 500, depending on your financial situation, and automatically deposited in your account to saving. If it is easier to follow, you can even keep it in a separate account. It becomes obvious, because the money is not there for you to spend. In a year, if you have selected one of the above amounts, you could have $ 0 or $ 6,000 stashed!

These tips will put you on the path to ensure that if the unexpected occurs, you and your family will be OK financially. And what is more valuable than peace of mind?

Have you ever thought about what would happen to your family if something for you? We all have at one time or another, even if it was in the form of a note of frantic mental love sent to family members in case of bad air turbulence. But the desire to protect your family financially does not have to turn to worry if you follow these steps.

1. Take a look at that financial security means for you . Just as "rich" means different things to different people, so is financial security. Start by asking what would happen if the primary breadwinner dies prematurely (could you or your spouse or partner). You want your loved ones will be financially OK, but what it means to have a sufficient income ... for a lifetime? ... Not need to move out of your home and neighborhood? ... Enough money for your spouse or partner for the transition to a job if one parent stays at home? ... To provide for your children to college or maybe just a part and have to pay the rest? Once you have created, you can move to ensure that a plan is in place.

2. Determine needs over wants. They are not the same. You may safety 100% provide financial want your spouse for their lifetime and your children to college, but can you afford it? Most of us have no savings to achieve this, which is where life insurance comes in. You'll want enough money or death benefit if invested to rate current market (2% -4%) you can generate your (or) income of your spouse missing. This means you may need more life insurance than in the past. Before, the invested proceeds of $ 500,000 life insurance benefits would be replaced, a / Year $ 50,000 salary. Now, you might need $ 1 million of coverage to achieve the same goal.

3. Look at the full picture. This is not only life insurance that is just a piece of the formula. You need to look at all of your assets such as money in the pension, your benefits programs, investments you may have, that money your family would be to get social security, life insurance that you already have in place, etc.

Moreover, people often have large families to care for the economic requirements which may be established in a divorce decree. Or they may have special needs children who will never be able to work. In this situation, a trust must be established, funded by assets or death benefits to create an income stream for as long as they live. In addition, many of us have either adult children or our elderly parents living with us now or in the future that we can be financially responsible.

Once you have these numbers, you can understand what the shortfall is-which can be funded with life insurance or more life insurance than you currently have. This should not be particularly difficult to start. Use this Life Insurance Calculator, which has inputs for this type of information and can help you obtain a working idea of ​​how much life insurance you may need to cover any deficit needs.

4. Get help if you need them. Sometimes our need for life insurance is simple. Often, however, when we need to take into account the particular circumstances, it can become more complicated. Insurance agents are there to help. It's their job. They sit with you at no cost or obligation, and go through these steps with you and help you find a solution you can afford. You can "want" permanent life insurance policy to ensure the financial future of your family, but an agent can show you what you "need" is really a term life insurance policy you can allow without straining your budget or maybe it's a combination of both. If you do not currently have an agent to work with, you can start with advice on looking for and our agent locator.

5. Do not forget disability insurance. If you and your family depend on your income, then you must ensure that you have disability insurance. Ask yourself honestly if you were sick or injured and unable to work, how long can you survive financially without your salary? In a survey that life happens is we found that most Americans feel the effects within a month or less. Keep in mind that Social Security pays disability benefits that average about $ 1,100 per month, and it can take a year, often much to even get this payment.

Disability insurance pays you a portion of your income if you become ill or injured and unable to work. It can be offered as part of your benefits program through work, but be sure to check with your human resources department, and know what percentage of your income is replaced (often 60% or less ). You can also buy an individual policy, you own, and so does not depend on your benefits program being reduced or even eliminated. To have a working idea of ​​how much you might need, you can use this Calculator disability insurance needs. Again, this is something that the insurance agent can help you understand as well.

The holidays signal a time of relaxation and fun with friends and family. It is also a time when our thoughts turn to those less fortunate than us or are suffering through the difficulties.

Experiencing the loss of a parent has repercussions in the life of a child that most of us can not begin to understand. Often these effects are exacerbated by the financial struggles if the parent does not have adequate life insurance.

I encourage you to read or listen to the stories of young students facing these struggles only, students like Esther Kim, Karim Abouelnaga and Mashell Ewing.

This year, the LIFE Foundation, through its scholarship program life lessons, awarded $ 105,000 in scholarships to 59 students who, like these three outstanding young adults (who all won scholarships) have difficulty paying for college because of the death of a parent. But this is only the beginning. There are many more deserving students who need our help. As you make your last-minute charitable donations, consider giving a tax-deductible donation to this worthy cause.

He was a world renowned heart surgeon Dr. Marius Barnard, who created critical illness insurance, as he saw how the financial crisis stress that accompanies cancer, heart attack and stroke was killing his patients. This type of insurance usually gives you a lump cash payment if you are diagnosed with one of the diseases specified in your critical illness policy.

No matter how you use the money, critical illness insurance is always one thing: It reduces the financial stress

But one of the challenges of Critical illness insurance. is to understand the many ways you can use the advantage-of the money paid, if you ever need them. Here are some of the ways that I have seen:

1. To pay deductibles, copays and other reimbursable costs related to health care. This is the most obvious use, especially as deductibles and expenses out-of-pocket for health insurance plans continue to increase.

2. The costs are not covered by health insurance as travel, hotels, childcare, etc. I know a person who had great health insurance plan. He was diagnosed with colon cancer. His doctor told him... "You have to go to MD Anderson" To complicate the issue, he and his wife had just had a child So they took her father-brother along to watch his son he had to loading airfare, meals and hotel expenses to his credit card. a few years later, he was still paying the credit card.

3. the income protection , especially for the self-employed. If a self-employed person has an income protection plan, including disability insurance, it is likely will be a 0-day washout period before benefits are paid. a self-employed person I know has been diagnosed with cancer. she would take her chemotherapy treatments on Friday. Then she would use the weekend to recover and try to be back at work on Monday or Tuesday. it has not failed enough working days to respond to his elimination period. She has cancer impact on income? Significantly!

4. Mortgage Protection. Many people buy life insurance so that if something happens to them, the family home will be refunded and the family will be able to stay at home. But what is most likely to occur while paying on a mortgage in the death or serious illness? By age, you might be up to four times more likely to suffer from a serious illness while paying a mortgage than to die.

Generally, the insurance that covers two to five years of mortgage payments will help significantly by the transition. Much reflection question is: "Would it reduce your financial stress if you are diagnosed with cancer to know your mortgage will be paid for two years"

5. Renovation of a house or? a car. I had a woman tell me that her husband had had a stroke. The couple had to take a second mortgage to make changes at home, including a ramp, changes . important in their bathroom, and widening doors to the chair

No matter how you want to use cash, critical illness insurance is always one thing: It reduces stress financial. There is always emotional stress for families with a family member who has a serious illness. emotional stress increases directly with financial stress. a critical illness plan reduces the financial stress, which reduces stress emotional. If you wish to learn more about this important coverage, contact your insurance agent or advisor.

When I mention the words "life insurance", people tend to disperse more quickly than if I had a summary nature requesting spare change. And while the holidays are over and the ringers have all gone home, it is never too late to spare some change, especially for your family. As an insurance professional, I can rattle off statistics and data on the importance of life insurance, but I will not do it. Instead, I'll let the stories speak for themselves. I work with these three women and want to share their stories of "spare change." (I have changed their names to maintain their privacy.)

Erin came to work for me, so it was in high school. She had moved to the Chicago area to Memphis four years earlier, not because it has chosen, but because "life happened" and the choice was made for her. While driving home from the funeral of his grandfather the day after Christmas, a drunk driver hit the car, she was head of killing both his parents. She and her two brothers went to live with their aunt and uncle, who already had three children. Their family has doubled overnight and so did the responsibilities. But because his parents had adequate life insurance, Erin and her brothers were able to stay together and have been "spared Change" miss all the positive things that the future held, such a college education private. Of course, nothing can replace the loss of a parent, but Erin did not have to lose the future promising that his parents would have wanted for her.

Tammy came to work for me there about a year. She has no plans to return to the Chicago area either. Tammy lived in sunny Arizona with her husband of eight years. They had to take a share of the American Dream by starting their own business. Their business began to pick up as they settle into their life together. One night, though, Tammy awoke to find that pre-existing cardiac disease her husband had taken a deadly toll. Tammy tried to save him while calling 911, but there is nothing she could do. He died on April 15; he was in the life insurance eligibility Tammy May 17 was left with business loans, a mortgage and no life insurance. In the midst of grieving the loss of her husband, she had to make the difficult decision to move out of the house they had built together. "When he was able to get life insurance, he did not think he needed it," said Tammy. Tammy has not been "spared change" in his life. When I asked Tammy what she would say to the people of her experience, she said firmly: "Even if you do not think you need life insurance, you do"

Anne, a. brilliant mind worked for me while getting his college degree. Always smiling, she was the kind of person who lit up a room. Anne had spoken of herself for a life insurance policy for a . while She said: "My parents think that I do not need," but decided to do politics anyway. Ten days later we have completed the application, Anne died in a car accident. Political life has been validated. A few days after the accident, I spoke with Anne's mother, who said: "If there was not this policy, we would not be enough money to bury my daughter." Anne was a 22 year old woman with no children, no husband and no major assets. However, thanks to his choice, she managed to "save some changes" to her own parents.

How will you spare some change for your family in 2011?

Beth Budreck, CLU, has a BS in Finance and has been running his agency Chicago area State Farm for over 21 years. She is married with two children, a boy who is 7 and a girl who is 8.

Let me share a few reasons why I am proud to sell life insurance and why I think it is important you own it. Think about what we have in the industry of life insurance, do every day: We create money where there was previously. We create dollars for future delivery, dollars for pennies a piece. We create safety of a spouse or family.

With just a piece of paper and a drop of ink, we can create more money to more people than any other person in any other industry. Think about it. If you are a man of 40 years (for example) that do not smoke, you pay an annual premium of $ 1,000 for a permanent life insurance policy $ 100,000. This is 1% of the nominal value. Where can you "buy" money to 1% per year?

With life insurance, we create security, dignity and peace of mind.

When a client dies, I'm the one who brings money to the family. Other accountant advisors, the prosecutor and the heirs have all their hands. I walk only with money created out of the magic of life insurance.

But to really get the benefit of this magic, you must have an amount of life insurance that is appropriate to cover the value of your human life.

After 9/11, the federal government determined that the average person who died in the attack against the World Trade Towers had a value of human life equal to 15 times their annual profits. Are you insured for 15 or 20 times the annual income you? If not, why not? If someone offers to pay you in cash the amount you insured your life and said that you would now work for them for the rest of your life without extra income, would you take the offer?

If you answered no, you are underinsured. I do not know what your "value of human life" is? Use the calculator the value of human life to run your own calculation, then be sure to get the coverage you need.

So you've decided to buy life insurance to protect your family or your business?

Good move.

But there is more to buying than simply signing on the dotted line.

You must pay particular attention to the policy add-ons that insurers offer. In industry, these add-ons are known as runners. As a guarantee or other consumer purchases, riders may give policyholders additional benefits and increase peace of mind if something goes wrong, there is a plan B.

And then they can vary in price, they are, at least, prudent to consider

some of the riders that I make sure that my customers know above all protection plan finished :.

Waiver of Premium: This means that the insurance company pays the premiums of your policy should you become totally disabled. If you neglect it and become disabled and can not work, how do you afford your premiums? So it makes sense to have this rider

insurability rider :. If you qualify for this amendment, it is logical to consider it because it allows you to purchase additional coverage in the future without evidence of insurability. And nobody knows what the life of our health years down the road

Forward Conversion runner :. This jumper allows you to convert your term life insurance into permanent life insurance without a medical examination. This is attractive to many people, but it can be especially true for young people who start their career and family. A person in this position may need coverage but can not afford to buy permanent insurance. This option allows them to convert their temporary insurance when they need permanent insurance is logical and without additional subscription.

The decision to buy life insurance is important. So make sure you ask all the necessary questions and review your plan B in the planning table.

Shelley M. Fiore, CLU, CHFC, CLTC, LIC, is co-general agent of Detroit Financial Group, a general agency of MassMutual. You can contact her at sfiore@finsvcs.com.

If you followed the celebrity gossip pages recently, you could not have missed all the news about Barbie and Ken. It's been a busy year for a favorite dream couple in America. Day of this past Valentine, Ken Barbie wooed with success in his arms after seven years apart, all it took was a multimillion dollar advertising and social media campaign, a makeover Justin Bieber and inspiration a role alongside his leading lady in Oscar -nominated feature. And this month, Ken turned the big 5-0. Although they look as if they are still young, Barbie and Ken are approaching their golden years and this step comes a new set of financial considerations that are important to them to think about, especially before they married.

We thought we'd have fun thinking about some of the difficult questions Ken Carson and Barbara Millicent Roberts would need to meet before co-mingling their finances (and if they were real, well course):

is it the dream home or glam Barbie convertible still necessary? now, perhaps the time to downsize for smaller lifestyles that are easier to manage and offer greater accessibility. If they are not willing to give up the convertible immediately, they may want to think of at least adding a more practical vehicle in their fleet. If you consider only the cabinets they have both, it may be time they think of repositioning assets to be more cautious in their spending.

How long have they each want to continue working? With Toy Story 3 Barbie and Ken films in the career seems to have taken off, but they still have to ask how long they plan to earn a living verses living off the assets they have accumulated. What income they need to support their lifestyle jet set? They continue to act or take one of the many other careers that they have touched (ala veterinarian Barbie Barbie or dentist), a figure that will help them to target the amount of investment savings they will need to have to support the lifestyle they 've become used to.

are they protected by long-term care insurance? If they do not have long term care insurance, the time has come for Barbie and Ken to consider it - while they are relatively young and healthy. Getting married at age 52 and 50, respectfully, is another reason to think about the coverage. Barbie and Ken will most likely be each other primary caregivers if one of them becomes ill or disabled in the future. Long-term care insurance will ensure that they receive the type of care they will want and need without financial or physical burden on another. If God forbid the marriage does not last (perhaps Barbie meets another Blaine), insurance will also provide critical protection should they ever need to divide their assets.

Who are their successors? From Barbie and Ken are not children, they should think about who they will gift or transfer their property assets once they are gone. While things are fun to think, wills, power of attorney and health directives are all important things to work out now so there is no confusion later among friends and relatives.

Of course, these are just some of the many financial considerations Barbie and Ken as they will officially begin their life together. What other things do you think they should keep in mind?

I was too busy ripping the dress and carriage, and the little Princess Di boy all grown and married that I do not see Facebook guru LIFE Chris Hill had already beaten me to the punch on getting this message about life happens fanpage.

I was about to refocus my job, but then thought, "Well, half the world is focused on the wedding day, so why not reinforce the message! "

Marriage Happens and with it a new family unit is born with new responsibilities and concerns. Of course, Kate and Wills should not think what the financial ifs, but 99.9% of the rest of of us are. once you are married, you share many things together, including your financial obligations. what if one partner dies unexpectedly? will the other is OK financially? Would -they able to afford the house and the car and all the other things they have purchased and created together as they form their new life?

Marriage is just one of the stages of life that should trigger automatic lights go off saying, "I have enough life insurance for my next step in life"? to know what other stages of life warrant a life insurance "group", see this page.

All the best to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and all of our readers to take the leap!

Now here are some worrying figures. According 9th Annual MetLife Study of Employee Benefits Trends to 63% of full-time workers who are primary and unmarried employees are very concerned about the lack of money to pay the bills for a period of sudden income loss. But 60% of these single workers have no disability insurance to protect their income and pay check if an illness or injury that prevents them from working. The study also shows that more than a third of single men and over half of single women who are primary employees say they live paycheck. Have they never heard of the wage protection insurance?

What protection do payroll? It replaces part of your income if you are unable to work for a period of time due to illness or injury. Depending on the level of protection purchased, you may be able to continue paying for essential living expenses, including maintenance payments, utilities, home and car, until you are able to go back to work.

Yes, I know. It will never happen to you, just other people. Well, let's look at some numbers.

• 10% of disability claims in the short term were approved for men ages 21 to 30. The average claim duration was 40 days.
• 22% of disability claims in the short term were approved for women ages 21 to 30. The average claim duration was 46 days.
• 5% of disability claims in the long term were approved for men ages 21 to 30. The main causes were fractures, back pain and cancer. For closed claims the average duration was 32 months.
• 10% of disability claims in the long term were approved for women ages 21 to 30. The main causes are pregnancy, depression and back pain. For closed claims the average duration was 21 months.

For a more complete income protection, individuals must have both long-term disability benefits and short. short-term disability plans replace income for the first period of disability. In general, the plans provide benefits for periods of as little as two weeks to two years. long-term disability benefits help replace income for an extended period, often until the disabled person becomes 65. Social Security disability benefits are not available if a person expects to be out of work for less than a year and, if paid, will likely be deducted from group disability benefits. In addition, most causes of disability are not work-related and, therefore, are not covered by workers' compensation.

According to the MetLife study, nearly three-quarters of employers offer some type of disability insurance coverage, and as a disability insurance coverage is obviously better than no coverage, a good rule basic is to protect 60% - 80% of your after-tax income so essential monthly fees will be covered. There is no substitute for good advice, so if you do not understand your coverage or how to determine your needs, seek professional help.

Women are more educated than ever, and we are looking to make smart financial decisions for ourselves and our families. We want to be more independent and live longer. Given this, we need to understand the importance of life insurance plays in our financial planning. We must work together to ensure that we have information and access to key insurance products and services needed to achieve our long term goals

How can we be financially prepared to our increased longevity?
There are over 20 million women in America who will live longer than our mothers and who, in a sense, have the highest financial risk. This is certainly a challenge, but it was also associated opportunities. The concerns include:

• Surviving our pension assets or who need to reduce our lifestyles
• Changing careers or employment without access to mobile services
• Living longer that government programs provide for
• medical benefits and reduced pension
• Anticipating less support by pension insurance benefits and opportunities employer-sponsored
• Living longer than a spouse or partner and / or do not need help children or other family

Living longer is certainly a concern, but if we are adequately insured, we can achieve a level of autonomy that takes us through our lives successfully without having to downsize our lifestyles, be challenged significantly with health problems or avoid financial obligations related to the family.

How can we get the information we need?
Since women influence 0% of financial decisions for themselves and their families, it is particularly important that we have access to information, products and services needed to make sound financial decisions. As women, we tend to gather information that is meaningful and then analyze before making decisions. It is essential to have access to this important information and to industry experts in a forum for questions, answers and sharing ideas with women in similar situations. Take a look at the value of Penn Mutual for women site, which was created specifically for women to meet their needs and goals. LIFE Foundation and the site and blog are great places to get information on the life, health, disability and long term care insurance for the stage life, you can be in.

Why life insurance is an important part of the solution?
due to a renewed interest in safety and security, the benefits of life insurance have better understood and used. And rightly so. Life insurance provides not only safety as a death benefit, but with the permanent life policies, we have the additional opportunity to accumulate tax deferred cash value. This, compared to mutual funds, stocks or bonds, insurance puts in a class by establishing security, secure yields, plus a death benefit. Life insurance makes sense for women, at any age, because it provides the security many of us need and lifestyle options we want.

Just as our own mission to the LIFE Foundation, the work of a journalist personal finance should be to inform and educate people to help them make informed financial decisions. Yet in a recent article in SmartMoney (10 things life insurers do not tell you), journalist Jilian Mincer leads his readers to the conclusion that the life insurance industry is not to be trusted and may even be out enjoying yourself.

suggest that life insurers will not pay a claim when an insured dies is simply wrong. the life insurance companies pay billions of dollars in life insurance benefits each year. According to the ACLI, the life insurance beneficiaries received $ 59 billion in 09, which does not begin to take into account the amount of these same companies pay for pensions or disability insurance and beneficiaries the long-term care insurance. In fact, it's hard to find a better example of financial services companies that are well on their financial obligations, and looking for the best interests of their clients in the life insurance industry.

Life insurers are stable and regulated and in extremely rare scenario encountered problems, there are safeguards in place to ensure they will be able to keep their promises to policyholders. Pointing decades old, obscure situations only complicate the problem when there are stories everyday real people who benefit from policies and there are easy steps policyholders and beneficiaries can take to take responsibility to seek benefits they think they are due.

In addition, each time you hear one-size-fits-all financial advice, you know that you should not trust. Say "word is all it takes" only tell part of the story. the term life insurance is certainly a cost-effective way for many people to obtain life insurance, but there are situations where a professional qualified insurance would not advise either the only insurance product life into your financial portfolio. The parents of a disabled child who needs long-term care services for the rest of his life have a need for life insurance beyond 20 or 30 years, if they want to provide for that child after they are gone. Or what about the person who has a family history of heart disease and runs the risk of being diagnosed after their term insurance is exhausted? Permanent life insurance provides guaranteed insurability, not to mention the cash value that can be accessed no matter what life throws your way.

The latest figures from LIMRA show that nearly two-thirds of insured adults have some type of permanent life insurance. I doubt that many people so willingly let go of their money if they thought it was a bad deal. The truth of the matter is that people who purchased a permanent life insurance have taken the time to sit down with an insurance advisor they trust and assessed their individual needs and determined that it made sense.

Thirty percent of US households now have no life insurance and more than half (58 million) say they need more of the highest-ever level, according to LIMRA. This is not the time to be misperceptions that fuel which could discourage people from getting the financial protection they desperately need. It is simply unnecessary for a respected publication like SmartMoney have titles like "we're in bed with your boss" and "released does not mean that we will pay." Next time, leave the sensationalism and gossip columnists keep out of personal finance page.

Women have long been known as the guardians of the family, supervising the health and well-being of their children and spouses, and for those who are members of the "sandwich generation" elderly parents as well. But what happens when the caregiver needs care?

For many families, this not only creates an emotional crisis but financial. Medical costs have led to about 50 percent of bankruptcy filings in the United States, according to Health Affairs Journal. As for long-term care, an estimated 75 percent of people 65 and older will eventually need long-term care, while women face a 50 percent greater chance than men to enter a retirement home after 65 years

Combine that with the increase in overall life expectancy for both sexes and statistics reflecting that women live longer than men in five years, and it is not surprising that the insurance long term care has grown from the baby-boomers, especially among female consumers. According to a new study published by the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance, life insurance policies of sales with long term care benefits increased by 79 percent for large companies' insurance industry, with women responsible for 60 percent of these purchases.

long-term care insurance protects against financial risk posed by the possible need for long term care or in a nursing home or at home. It comes into play when, following a chronic illness or disability, a person needs long-term care for an extended period of time. While Medicare or Medicare will cover doctor and hospital bills, according to the chosen policy, the assurance of long-term care will pay for a wide range of services and procedures, ranging from man and middle guard. This has become increasingly important as the cost of care increases, with current figures putting average full-time at the nursing home at $ 69,000 to $ 78,000 per year, while eight-hour health care home can cost $ 43,000 to $ 70,000 per year.

And it's not just the elderly who need such coverage. Accident or a debilitating illness at any age can lead to a need for care, with estimates indicating that 40 percent of patients receiving long term care are under 65

For example, one of realLIFEstories is Barry Shore, a real estate executive who, at age 55, was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome. Fortunately, Shore and his wife had already bought both disability and long term care policies of insurance, which together have replaced more than half his previous income and provided funding for home care and therapies not covered by his medical insurance.

And for women who are on their own with no family member available to provide care after a health crisis, long-term care policies offer the peace of mind that their needs will satisfied with the standard of care they wish.

The LIFE Foundation recommends that consumers, men and women, ask several important questions when considering to purchase long term care insurance.

Where can I get long-term care coverage? Over 100 companies now offer coverage, usually available through groups (typically employers) and individuals.

What types of long term care policies? most are "costs" policy (the insured is reimbursed for actual expenses for services received up to a fixed amount per day, week or month), while some are "compensation" (pay to a fixed benefit amount regardless of what the insured passes). "Integrated policies" or policies with "common benefits" provide a total amount which can be used for different types of long term care services. life insurance policies with long-term care benefits will, in certain circumstances, pay a portion of the benefit of life insurance to the insured for long-term care services instead of the beneficiary death of the insured.

What will be the cost of the premium? This depends on many factors, including the age of the insured, the State, the level of benefits and the length of time until the start of benefits. LIFE recommends consulting a representative of a long-term care insurance, an insurance agent or financial advisor for specific cost and coverage information.

For more information on long-term care policies and downloadable Guide AHIP long term care insurance, click here.

If I asked you to ballpark the percentage of companies in the US which are small businesses, would you? 25%? 50%? Maybe 75%? The answer is surprising: It is 99.7%, according to the US Small Business Administration. And these companies employ over half of all private sector employees. Here are some additional statistics that may surprise you. Small businesses ...

• Pay 44 percent of private payrolls in the United States.
• generated 64 percent of net new jobs over the past 15 years.
• Create more than half of the nonfarm private gross gross domestic product (GDP).
• Hire 40 percent of high tech workers (such as scientists, engineers and computer programmers).

When you watch the news and read the newspaper, so much space is taken over large companies. But it is clear from these figures that small businesses are a valuable national resource and should be treated as such.

No company is immune to the vagaries of the economy and the forces beyond the owner's control. Life happens to people and businesses. So if you are a small business owner, you need to ask yourself these questions:

• What will happen to my business if I die
• What will happen to my business if I become disabled [?
• what will happen to my business when I retire?
• What will happen if certain key employees die or become permanently disabled?
• How can I ensure that my company will be able to overcome unexpected financial difficulties?

The answers to these questions are probably things like a purchase and sale agreement, overheads insurance company, the keyperson insurance and individual disability and life insurance. His formidable? It does not need to be. The videos on this small business planning page can help you with some of the important bases. Then, contact your agent or adviser to get help that is tailored to your specific needs. If you do not have an advisor, be sure to watch the video that gives you pointers on finding one that is right for you.

At some point after birth * of our second child, my husband and I, like any good, responsible (even reluctant) adults, has decided to seek insurance extra life. You know, because as horrible as it is to contemplate, we are mature and grounded in reality enough to know that bad things happen. In addition, we look at a lot of movies, so we realized that it was essential to ensure that the other person would be expected if one of us was hit by a bus' runaway (thank you, Keanu) or train (Denzel) or something more suburban like a rogue lawn mower (STEVEN KING GAAAAH).

Anyway, when you apply for life insurance, you are sometimes given the choice of 1) a place to go for some checkups thingies, including blood tests, or 2) to have someone come to your house and do them. As I am not a fan of A) places or B) who do things, I opted for home testing.

Of course, I forgot the part where a "home testing" actually takes place, uh, in your home. Where are your kids. ... And all their things and disorder and other things. And your dog barking thinking set foot on the premises every person must be barking at the point of deafness.

The guy who showed up for my home testing was perhaps the crankiest person I've ever met. His mood did not improve once he realized that I had ... oh, horror, CHILDREN. Small. sticky. the Smartalecky who welcomed him at the door with shouts of "DAD!"

He was there to stick needles in ME and take blood from me and I basically spent the whole visit by trying to get comfortable with confidence that my children are not going to touch or sneeze on it or otherwise infect him. **

They, however, will beg in turn standing on the small scale that he had brought. And show that toy! And this toy! And look, here's Lightning McQueen and is a famous race car and Mater and also tractors!

"So, are you having children?" Asked he took my blood pressure.

"Um, we're not sure yet," I l I said worried, worried that he might take this answer and mark down on a form as a clear sign of mental instability, MUST bE COMMITTED pAS INSURED.

"Hrrmmph," he responded.

I do not expect everyone to love my children, of course. I mean, they are tacky. they are sometimes nothing more than walking germ containers.

I do not expect everyone to love my dog, either, which is why I closed his little 8 pounds yappy self in the bathroom when Mr. Bleeding happened. it is small and safe, but I've come to accept it STILL scares the crap out of non-dog people. I do not take personally or try to tell people that they are ridiculous because it is the size of a loaf of bread and equally fierce, so I tried to take child obvious terror of that guy in the same stride.

We were almost finished with all health business when suddenly ... DOG. One of the children had let her out of the bathroom and ooooooooohhhhh lawdy she was crazy. She came barreling into the room, nine kinds of hysteria to be denied the chance to defend my honor against this intruder, and ...

M .. Bleeding fell to his knees and began to speak in baby talk and had my dog ​​in her arms in about 15 seconds flat. He said it is the cutest little thing he had seen all day schmoopsie Poopsie poo. Awww.

And that was that. I was later approved for our additional policy, which was good, because if I ever have to go through a home test again, I'm not sure the kids would enjoy being locked in the bathroom instead of dog.

* toddlerhood completely still qualifies for "at some point" criteria .
** LIES

We like to think that when we retire, we will have time to do all the activities that are on our "bucket list. "We are going to travel, spend time with friends and family, to explore new possibilities that will improve our lives and expand our sense of possibility. But to have retired from the life we ​​desire, we need to start planning now. in his post, is 10 retirement magic number? Marvin H. Feldman, CLU, CHFC, RFC, president and CEO of the LIFE Foundation, highlights the results of a Lincoln Financial Group study identifies four behaviors that contribute to retirement success:

• Getting advice from a financial professional
• participating in a pension plan sponsored by the employer or the IRA
• Backup regularly and make additional contributions over the years, "energy saving"
• Have an investment strategy

Unfortunately, the opposite often occurs. There is little or no advance planning to retire in the form of higher savings and investment, and focus more on what we might call wishful planning, hoping the additional retirement income may come the sale of the principal residence (despite the recent uncertainty in the real -estate market) or an expected inheritance. The result? A retreat in danger, at a stage where earning capacity may be severely hampered, if not impossible.

Although there is no doubt that a financial planner can provide useful advice on this investment vehicle will better provide the "gold" for the "golden years" you must also engage in pre-retirement self-education: this calculation, you will need after retirement, income options investigation and initiate a plan that will give you the future you desire

[1945008dépensesderetraite] Calculation
According to Penn Mutual Worth for Women website, it takes about 80 percent of pre-retirement income to maintain a comfortable life, which equates to $ 60,000 for someone had been earning a pre-tax salary of $ 75,000. (You can use the calculators on the site to help.) While some work-related expenses can be reduced (business meals, clothing costs, transportation costs), other off-gos budgets may increase. Health care may cost more, while inflation may lead to higher costs for everything from fuel to food. By calculating what your post-working living expenses will be and what you should save now supplement your retirement income, you will be better prepared for the day when you cash your last paycheck.
pension
study financing options
Although the investment and retirement accounts are two ways to build a nest egg, there are additional options in the pre-retired section / retired life, one of which is a permanent life insurance policy. Although the main objective of the policy is to provide lifetime protection, it also accumulates a cash value on a tax-deferred basis, providing a source of funds that can be used for any purpose, including as retirement income.

Another strategy is to buy a life annuity. It is sort of DIY pension plan, you provide a specific lump sum to an insurance company and in return, they provide a guaranteed stream of regular payments for any period you have chosen. (The Insurance Information Institute has an informative section on annuities while immediate annuities, you can calculate your annuity payments.)

Finally, disability and ensuring long-term care can also help protect your retirement savings. The first provides an income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury (protecting your current savings for post-retirement use), while the second covers the cost of using health care home, an assisted living facility or a nursing home. LIFE Calculator disability insurance needs helps you assess the income you need to maintain your current standard of living if you become disabled, while the long-term care insurance section provides answers to questions about the assurance of long-term care.

Initiate your lifestyle retirement plan
Start by determining what stage of life of retirement you are, based on this breakdown provided by Boomertirement website.

• working Boomer: 10 years and counting to retirement
• Near the Boomer Retirement: Less than 10 years until retirement
• Restated baby Boomer: No more work

If you 're in the first category, focus on living within your means and save for your retirement. The objective is to minimize debt while accumulating financial assets. If you are a Boomer Retirement Close, review your lifestyle requirements after retirement and analyze the benefits that will be available. The key is to ensure that your information is current and accurate when making last minute changes to your overall strategy.

If you have reached the stage of retirement, it is not too late, said Boomertirement. You still need to live within your means, since your retirement could last 20 to 30 years. You also need to make plans now regarding the distribution of your assets to your heirs, to reduce the tax consequences. (More tips are available on Living Well in Retirement section on value for Women website.)

The bottom line is to be proactive rather than retirement planning reagent . Take action now and the years of your post-employment the best years of your life!

So why do you need life insurance?

What often comes to mind when you think life insurance is that you can use it to pay for final expenses. You've seen the ads: funeral expenses, funeral expenses and medical expenses can add up to a hefty amount. The last thing you want is for your family to assume this additional burden. Life insurance can be used to plan these final expenses. Permanent life insurance is available in various amounts, so you can choose a death benefit that meets your needs.

But there are other considerations to keep in mind. You can use life insurance ...

As mortgage protection. Whether you live by yourself, with a spouse or significant other, you may want to buy life insurance as a mortgage protection. Think about it: You do not want the person you live with being homeless if you die unexpectedly, do you? Life insurance can be used to repay a mortgage balance. Just select a term that matches the duration of your payment period of the mortgage. Some companies even offer decreasing term insurance, which means that the death benefit decreases as well as the balance of your mortgage.

For income replacement. You and your significant other may have planned for a future based on two incomes, but if one of you dies unexpectedly? Life insurance can be used to replace lost income so that the survivor can maintain the same standard of living.

To finance college. Yeah, I know. You have children, so that it only applies if you do or if you have grandchildren, you want to help. Have you seen tuition rates lately? Life insurance can help pay for a college education. If you die, the death benefit can be invested and grow potentially the amount needed when your children or grandchildren reach college age. If you have permanent policies, the cash value can be used to help fund tuition. Feel better knowing that you helped prepare for the future, even if you are not there to see it.

There are advantages also some additional provisions, if you do you can not be aware of.

protect inheritances. If the beneficiary of a life insurance policy is a person appointed and not your estate, the death benefit is exempt from probate.

Incontestability. After the policy is in force for two years, it becomes undeniable, which means that the policy can not be revoked, unless it was obtained fraudulently.

free from the claims of creditors. In many states, the cash values ​​of life insurance policies are exempt from the claims of creditors if the policy is owned personally.

So, are you beginning to see the need for life insurance? You call your agent now, right? Do not put it off! Remember, the younger you are when you get the insurance, the higher the cost and the easier it is to get approved.