At one time, life insurance played a much larger part in an estate plan than it does now. 为什么? Families would often use life insurance payouts to pay estate taxes. But with the federal gift and estate tax exemption at $13.61 million for 2024, far fewer families currently are affected by estate tax.
然而, life insurance remains a powerful tool to help provide for your loved ones in the event of your death. The amount of life insurance that’s right for you depends on your personal circumstances, so it’s critical to review your life insurance needs regularly in light of changing circumstances.
重新评估的理由
In addition to watching for changes to the estate tax exemption amount, consider reevaluating your insurance coverage if you’re:
- 买房子或偿还抵押贷款，
- 结婚或离婚，
- 生孩子,
- 即将退休;或
- 面临健康问题.
The right amount of insurance depends on your family’s current and expected future income and expenses, as well as the amount of income your family would lose should you pass away. 上面列出的事件可以改变这个等式, so it’s a good idea to revisit your life insurance needs as you reach these milestones. 例如, 如果你有孩子, your current and future obligations are likely to increase significantly for expenses related not only to providing for their needs on a day-to-day basis but also potentially for childcare and college tuition.
As you get older, your expenses may go up or down, depending on your circumstances. 例如, 当你的孩子经济独立时, they’ll no longer rely on you for financial support.
On the other hand, your health care expenses may increase. 当你退休时, 你将不再有薪水, but you may have new sources of income from retirement plans and Social Security. You may or may not have paid off your mortgage, student loans or other debts. And you may or may not have accumulated sufficient wealth to provide for your family.
定期重新评估是必须的
There are many factors that affect your need for life insurance, and these factors change over time. 确保你没有投保过多或不足, 定期重新评估你的保险需求, 尤其是当你的生活环境发生变化的时候. 还要记住这一点, 缺席国会行动, the gift and estate tax exemption will drop to an inflation-adjusted $5 million in 2026. 联系 the office for assessing whether you have an adequate amount of life insurance coverage.
