No one can predict what will happen in the future. That’s why life insurance is a great tool to provide financial security to your loved ones if you pass away unexpectedly. But how much life insurance do you need?
There is no clear answer to this since every family has different needs and financial stability. In this blog, we’re going to discuss how you can calculate your life insurance needs and the factors you need to consider.
Factors to Consider When Calculating Your Payout
There is no life insurance policy that would be a perfect fit for everyone in South Africa, and each family’s needs and level of financial security are unique. The life insurance payout is likely the most important aspect for any policyholder. Therefore, here are a few things to consider when calculating your life insurance payout.
- Age: The younger you are when considering life insurance, the bigger your payout should be. This is mainly to account for inflation. R1,000,000 in your 20s will hold a different value than R1,000,000 in your 60s.
- Income: Generally, the greater your annual income, the greater the life insurance coverage you need. This is to ensure that, in the event of your death, your family can sustain themselves for a while without your income.
- Debts and expenses: If you have debts such as a mortgage or car loan, you would want to avoid placing the responsibility of paying it off on your dependents’ shoulders. Therefore you should ensure that your life cover payout is enough to cover any debts you might have.
- Dependents and beneficiaries: If you have dependents who rely solely on your income, such as children, you would need to ensure that your payout is large enough to provide financial security for them. You would also need to decide who the beneficiaries of your life insurance would be.
How to Calculate Your Life Insurance Needs
Now that you are aware of what factors to take into account when calculating how much life insurance coverage you need, these are the steps to calculate your life cover needs:
Step 1: Determine Your Current Financial Situation
Sit down and determine your current monthly income and expenses. This can be done on a spreadsheet to make the information easy to read and compare. This includes your salary (after deductions) and any other streams of income you have. Your monthly expenses could include food, mortgage, petrol, entertainment, phone contract, etc.
Take note of the debts you still owe, including any loans from the bank, credit card debts and student debt. Take note of the outstanding balance on each of your debts.
Finally, list all your assets, such as your savings account, investments and retirement accounts. You can subtract your outstanding debts from your assets to get your net worth.
Step 2: Estimate Your Future Financial Needs
Now you should estimate your future financial needs, including future expenses you can predict. These expenses could be funds for your children’s education and funds for loans that have yet to be paid off. In this step, you should estimate enough funds to keep your family financially stable if you were to pass away unexpectedly.
Step 3: Calculate The Life Insurance Coverage You Need
To calculate the amount of life insurance coverage you will need, start multiplying your annual salary 10 times. This will provide you with the minimum amount of life insurance that you need. Now you can add the funds you estimated in step 2, the future financial expenses and debts to be paid off.
Consider any additional coverage that would be needed per child, including potential chronic medication. Lastly, evaluate the lifestyle that you want your family to maintain after your death and add funds if necessary.
Review your total amount and adjust your budget and life insurance coverage as needed. By following these steps, you can rest assured that your family will not have financial strain. However, this is more than a one-and-done process, as your financial situation could change. Review your life insurance policy regularly to ensure the coverage amount is still sufficient for your family’s needs.
You could also use an online life insurance calculator from a reputable source, such as this one from OUTsurance, to give you some guidance.
Types of Life Insurance Policies
Now that you’ve calculated your ideal life insurance payout, two main life insurance policy options are available in South Africa: whole life insurance and term life insurance.
Whole life insurance covers you until your death (no matter the length of time), and these policies also often have a savings component. This allows you to use your policy’s cash value as security when taking out a loan at the bank. Whole life insurance is often more expensive, with higher monthly premiums, but it also offers excellent benefits and a savings component.
On the other hand, term life insurance policies only provide coverage for a specific period (10, 20, or 30-year terms). This life insurance is typically less expensive and is an excellent option for someone who only needs cover for a certain period, such as until their children are old enough or until their mortgage is paid off.
To determine which policy is better for you, consider your financial goals and your dependents’ (future) situation. It might be best to have a financial adviser help you to make the best choice possible.
Additional Considerations
Consider your age, health, profession, family history, inflation, and life changes when calculating how much life insurance you need in South Africa. Your premiums are influenced by your age and health and by high-risk employment or lifestyles.
Inflation and the medical history of relatives should also be considered. Finally, ensure your coverage satisfies your needs by periodically reviewing it and making adjustments as needed. Working with a reputed insurer can help you receive the best coverage for your money and be guided through the procedure.
Final Thoughts
In South Africa, getting the right amount of life insurance coverage is essential to safeguarding your loved ones and assuring their financial security in the case of your untimely passing. Consider your present financial situation, ongoing debts, and anticipated expenses when calculating your coverage requirements.
Also, take into account additional factors such as your age, health, occupation, family history, inflation, and prospective life changes. To ensure it still suits your needs, frequently review your coverage and make any required modifications.
You can get the best coverage for your budget with thorough research and advice from a reputable insurer, and you have the assurance that your loved ones will be cared for.
