When it comes to financial planning, life insurance is one of the most important tools you can have in your arsenal. Yet, many people delay purchasing a policy, thinking they have time. Securing life insurance at your current age offers some incredible benefits, impacting both your financial stability and your peace of mind. Let’s dive into why getting life insurance now is a smart move.
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Lower Premiums – Save Now, Save Later
- Cost Efficiency: One of the primary reasons to buy life insurance while you’re younger is the cost. According to a report by “The Big I” Insurance Information Institute (III), premiums are significantly lower when you are younger. For example, a healthy 25-year-old might lock in a 20-year term policy for as little as $20-$30 per month. By contrast, the same coverage could cost $55-$105 per month for a 50-year-old. The longer you wait, the more expensive it becomes.
- Long-Term Savings: If you purchase life insurance at a younger age, you essentially “lock in” lower premiums, ensuring long-term savings. In fact, NerdWallet estimates that a 35-year-old who purchases a $500,000 20-year term life insurance policy could save over $10,000 compared to waiting until they are 45. Start your quote now
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Health Factors – The Benefits of Being Healthy
- Better Health, Better Rates: Health is one of the most important factors in determining your premiums. The earlier you purchase life insurance, the better your health is likely to be, which translates into lower premiums. A study from LIMRA (Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association) found that healthy individuals could save as much as 50% on their life insurance premiums compared to those with health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.
- Guaranteed Coverage: Life is unpredictable, and your health can change. If you wait until later in life to purchase life insurance, you risk being denied coverage or facing higher rates due to pre-existing conditions. For example, Markel’s report on life insurance trends found that more than 25% of applicants aged 50+ were rejected due to health issues. By securing life insurance now, you lock in coverage before any potential health problems arise.
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Financial Security for Your Loved Ones
- Protection for Dependents: Life insurance isn’t just for you; it’s for your family too. In the event of your passing, life insurance can help replace lost income, pay for living expenses, and ensure that your dependents maintain their quality of life. A survey by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) revealed that nearly 40% of Americans do not have enough life insurance to protect their family.
- Peace of Mind: Knowing that your family’s financial future is secure can bring you tremendous peace of mind. Take the case of Alex and Avery, a couple in their early 40s who took out life insurance policies when they had young children. When Avery unexpectedly passed away in a car accident, the life insurance payout ensured Alex, and their children were financially supported with resources for their mortgage payments, college tuition and counseling during a very difficult time.
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Investment Benefits – Watch Your Policy Grow
- Cash Value Accumulation: Many life insurance policies, such as whole life and universal life insurance, offer a cash value component that grows over time. Starting your policy early gives the cash value more time to accumulate, turning your life insurance policy into a potential financial asset. According to Forbes, the cash value in some life insurance policies can reach six figures after several decades, which can be used for future needs such as retirement.
- A Financial Planning Tool: Life insurance is not just a safety net; it can be an integral part of your overall financial plan. Vanguard recommends considering a combination of term life insurance for affordable coverage and whole life insurance as a way to supplement retirement savings.
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Avoid Future Uncertainty
- Prepare for the Unexpected: Life is full of surprises. Securing life insurance now helps protect you from the uncertainty of future insurability and premium increases.
- Beat Potential Rate Increases: Insurance companies adjust rates periodically, often in response to changing health trends, claims data, and economic factors. By purchasing a policy now, you can avoid any potential rate hikes in the future. Prudential’s annual Life Insurance Price Index showed that some age groups saw double-digit increases between 2020 and 2022. Securing your policy today guarantees that you won’t be affected by these future adjustments.
Purchasing life insurance at your current age is a smart financial move that provides immediate benefits and long-term protection. Not only can you lock in lower premiums and favorable terms based on your current health, but you can also ensure financial security for your loved ones, grow the cash value of your policy, and avoid future rate increases.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss your specific needs, feel free to reach out. Let us work together to ensure your financial future is secure. Start your quote now with a local agent.
Resources:
- Insurance Information Institute (III), “Life Insurance in America: Facts and Figures” https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-life-insurance
- NerdWallet, “How Much Life Insurance Do You Need? A Comprehensive Guide” https://www.nerdwallet.com/h/category/life-insurance
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), “Consumer’s Guide to Life Insurance” https://content.naic.org/consumer/life-insurance.htm
- Markel Insurance, “How Health Affects Life Insurance Applications”
- Vanguard, “Financial Planning for the Next Generation
- AIG, “The Impact of the Pandemic on Life Insurance Sales and Coverage”
- Prudential, “Annual Life Insurance Price Index”