Life insurance that matches your life stage

Nobody wants to think about their own mortality, but life insurance is a necessary part of everyone's future financial planning. Choosing the best life insurance policy can prove difficult as it’s hard to anticipate how our financial needs, requirements, and obligations will change. The best life insurance policy for young adults would be very different to that of an empty nester, or a retiree. 

For instance, after getting married, your financial responsibilities usually increase and continue to do so as you have children and your family expands. 

How many life stages are there?

Everyone, regardless of their age, ought to have some form of life insurance at different life stages. A young professional just starting out in life will have very different needs to those of a wealthy individual with several dependants. Both of their needs would differ from that of someone providing life cover for their parents. As you age, your circumstances and life insurance needs at different life stages change, so you should review your life insurance portfolios on a regular basis. Notably, having children is one of the events that alters your sense of responsibility. It compels you to consider what needs to be done to ensure your -and your loved ones'- financial security.

Here is a list of life stages and their significance throughout your life.

Single

Single young adults of all ages frequently overlook life insurance. You are self-sufficient and do not rely on your partner or children for financial support. However, when it comes to life insurance, even if you've just started your first job, there are still good reasons to consider investing in cover.

• You can get funeral and life insurance to avoid burdening your loved ones with end-of-life expenses like executor fees. 
• If you financially support your elderly parents or other family members you need to add life insurance to your portfolio. 

The good news is life insurance is relatively cheap if you are young and healthy! 

At this point in your life, another important policy is disability insurance. You must protect yourself and your income in the event that you become disabled and are unable to work. A medical aid or health plan is also a priority as the cost of healthcare can be extremely high.

Newly Weds

Life insurance may be necessary at this point. The first step is to determine how much cover you need to replace future lost income and cover any large debts that would place a burden on your partner. Speak to a financial adviser or provider  about your findings and next steps if you want to obtain life cover for spouses.

The following are critical financial considerations when starting out in life as a newly married couple:

• A funeral plan—this is necessary at every stage in life. 
• Car / household (short term) insurance is necessary. Your car/s are likely your most expensive asset. 
• A life insurance policy will cover any debts, such as a home loan or vehicles, help your partner to maintain his or her standard of living as well as take care of other obligations, such as the support of a parent, or relative.
• Disability insurance to protect your income should you become disabled and are unable to work.  

Parents

As a new parent, you might be concerned about your child's future. By including life insurance in your plans, you can budget future expenses, such as tertiary education and insurance for a stay-at-home parent (if this applies).

Life insurance provides income replacement in the event that you can’t provide for your loved ones and help you build generational wealth for your children and their children. 

In addition to leaving an inheritance for your family, an important aspect to consider at this stage of life is retirement. Investment in some retirement plans can help you enjoy an independent and stress-free retirement.

Don’t forget to update your cover when you have more children, or if you’re supporting your ageing parents or other relatives.

Empty nesters

Because your children are no longer living at home, you may not need as much life insurance as you once did, but it is still important to have protection if you are married and also want to be able to support children or family members in need when you pass. Furthermore, remember that  your life insurance pay-out is your legacy to your children and creates generational wealth for your family, wealth that can help them pay off the family home, fund tertiary education or launch a new business. 

It is also best to consult with your financial advisor about estate planning at this point to ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes. 

Retirees

What a wonderful feeling it is to reach retirement. But financial planning does not stop there. A life insurance policy provides the generational wealth you want to create for your family and a professionally drafted and regularly reviewed will is essential. You should also review your life insurance policies regularly as your circumstances change, and consider looking into the best life insurance for seniors.

Pensions and retirement annuities are the primary sources of income during retirement and need to be carefully managed by your adviser, who will also advise on capital gains and other taxes incurred.

Medical costs can be exorbitant at this stage of life and you should secure the most comprehensive cover you can. 

Whatever stage of life you are in, planning is key to living a stress-free, happy life. So plan ahead of time and you will always be protected with cover for life.

Don't delay, start today 

1Life’s skilled call centre agents and financial advisers will help young singles, married couples and parents design the best possible insurance portfolio to suit their needs and budget or get a quote and buy comprehensive cover, tailored for your needs, online and in just 15 minutes! 

We answer your questions about life insurance and life stages!

Why should a single person consider life insurance?

A single person should consider life cover when they have financial dependants such as parents or siblings. If you support someone financially, your life cover will take care of them should something happen to you. It is worth noting that being single and young, you have a higher probability of needing disability insurance, this can be added as a rider or ancillary to your life cover policy. The bonus is that premiums will be cheaper the younger and healthier you are.

What's the importance of life insurance for empty nesters?

Just because your children move out to university or their first home, it does not mean that they do not rely on you any less financially. Well at the beginning at least. So, having life insurance can ensure that they are taken care of financially, no matter what life stage, as well as your partner or spouse who would still rely on your financial contribution to your household.

Do retirees still need life insurance?

Life insurance is one of the ways you can create generational wealth for your family. So as a retiree, you can be rest assured that you have a policy in place to do just that while you live on and experience your post retirement life on any retirement and investment funds. It is worth noting that you need to be pre-retirement to take out any form of life insurance.

How can life insurance help in estate planning for empty nesters?

Estate planning allows for your last wishes to be met. It also ensures that the expenses covered with winding up an estate are covered and do not eat into the funds you are leaving for your loved ones. It is important to start estate planning once you have assets and should be revisited through all stages of your life.

Can life insurance cover expenses for stay-at-home parents?

You won't realise how much a stay-at-home parent does until they are no longer around to assist. It is important to prepare for the day they are no longer around and have funds in place to compensate relevant persons or roles they fulfilled such as carer, cleaner, errand runner, after care etc, which now might be undertaken by external help. Do not underestimate the importance of a primary caregiver in the household.