A family income plan as opposed to lump sum life insurance
A very difficult product to by is life insurance. Without a precise need for example of a loan, mortgage or inheritance tax liability, many people wonder about the amount of cover they should to take out for life insurance.
The majority of folk recognise their need to protect their family with life insurance in the event of their death. They are conscious that their dependents should have enough financial protection which will pay out following their death that will maintain the standard of living they have been used to. Furthermore, their recognition of this goes beyond their understanding of mortgage cover or loan and inheritance tax protection.
Most people accept the need for parity between the incomes which they generate now and those which need to be provided at a later date. However, taking all this into account how can we ensure the life insurance plan we commit ourselves too will pay an adequate amount comparison to our salaries even though this amount is usually a lump sum.
Setting aside assumption and intricate calculation that may neither be accurate for future situations, nor scientific, the majority of financial advisers reckon using a ten times formula. In other words, if annual income is 20k then a lump sum would be 200k. However, taking into account inflation on investment returns etc and if the figures prove to be incorrect in the future, then a shortfall in income may be generated.
Being aware of all this begs the question how can it be solved and why. The solution is in how family income benefit works. With life insurance the benefit is paid in a lump sum which is then invested by the recipients, producing an income they hope will suffice for the time it is required. On the other hand, family income benefit does what it says on the tin, it simply produces the income.
A family income plan is taken out to cover an income and not for a lump sum benefit. So say you want to cover a 30,000pa income rather than taking out 300,000 as the formula suggests you take out a family income plan for 30,000. You include indexation benefit which makes sure that when a claim takes place the income rises with inflation and you basically have an income replacement benefit when someone dies.
When taking all this into consideration, the family income plan will be the most suitable product because all the doubt surrounding life insurance is removed, that is providing it is the income that is to be protected or an amount of money each year rather than a capital amount like a loan or mortgage etc.
Considering most people are without the tenacity, ability or wherewithal to generate an income through investment, if they are the ones who are to be protected, then why compel them. Simplify their lives by giving them an annual set income with pay rises attached; ensure you put in place for your family a family income plan.