NO ONE NEEDS TO TELL YOU why you should have life insurance: If you die and your family or anyone who depends on you for support could no longer count on your income, life insurance would replace that income— assuming you choose a policy with the amount of coverage that is right for you.
In addition to deciding on the coverage amount, you have a few more hoops to jump through—namely, whether to buy a whole life or term life policy.
Whole life (often called cash-value or permanent life insurance) provides coverage for life and has an investing component that allows you to take a loan against the policy. The downside: Compared with term coverage, it’s expensive, especially in the early years of the policy. Term life provides coverage for a defined period of time—typically five, 10 or 20 years—without the investment and loan bells and whistles. What you see is what you get. Another advantage: Term life policies typically cost far less than whole life.
This story is from the March 2020 edition of Kiplinger's Personal Finance.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 2020 edition of Kiplinger's Personal Finance.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
HOW INFLATION ADJUSTMENTS WILL AFFECT YOUR TAXES
We looked at IRS rules for 2025 on everything from tax brackets to how much you can save in retirement accounts.
GUARD AGAINST IDENTITY THEFT IN THE NEW YEAR
Scammers are getting better at impersonating legitimate businesses.
SHOULD YOU BUY PET HEALTH INSURANCE?
You can fend off big veterinary bills with a policy that covers your furry companion.
THE LOWDOWN ON BUYING A VACATION HOME
If you return to a beloved destination again and again, purchasing a home there may be a smart move-but don't overlook the costs and effort that go into it.
HOW COUPLES CAN MANAGE DIFFERING RETIREMENT TIME LINES
Staggered retirement is increasingly common, but it can create financial and emotional challenges.
AVOID THESE CREDIT MISSTEPS
KIPLINGER ADVISOR COLLECTIVE
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WORKING FOR YOURSELF
Whether you're looking for a side gig or planning to start your own business, it has never been easier to strike out on your own.
My Top 10 Stock Picks for 2025
SINCE 1993, I have offered an annual list of 10 stocks with the potential to beat the market in the 12 months ahead. My 2024 selections notched the highest return ever: an average of 48.9%. I beat the S&P 500 index by 10.8 percentage points, and every one of my stocks was up-six by more than 30%.
WHAT MAKES AN ETF SUCCESSFUL?
EXCHANGE-traded funds have exploded in popularity, with the industry now reaching the milestone of $10 trillion in assets.
TIPS FROM INSIDERS
When corporate insiders buy or sell, it can offer clues on whether you should do the same.
