At what age should I be considering getting important insurances, etc. (like life insurance?)?
Im just starting out to live on my own. I’m not very familiar about things like life insurance, 401k, etc?
what are the important things like these to look towards having, and what age should i consider getting these?
thanks very much =]
Tags: considering, etc., Getting, important, Insurance, insurances, Life, Like, Should
Let me recommend a couple of books: one is Suze Orman’s and the other is “Personal Finance For Dummies.” They cover all this stuff.
You should begin as soon as you are financially able.
401K is most beneficial at a young age since the money you put in now has the chance to grow for 40+ years before you will use it. The interest you make off the money you invest today will earn interest for you next year and so on.
Life insurance should also be a top priority. You will pay cheaper premiums at a younger ages. Many people make the mistake of looking for insurance when they are sick or too old. It is a preventative measure. You get life insurance now, to make sure you are covered for the *unforseen* that may happen. Those who wait until they are sick will not be able to get coverage. Those who wait until they are too old will pay very high premiums. I have Northwestern Mutual Life myself. I pay a little more in premiums, but I appreciate that the company will be around for me when I need them. They have only the best ratings and even pay dividends to the policy holders. You get what you pay for.
With just getting started out on your own this is a good time to look at your options.. and it’s very responsible. Good for you.
As far as life insurance, you should use it to replace income in the event of your death (if someone counts on that) also you should have enough to cover any debt you may have, including credit cards, student loans, etc. You want to make sure you get Term Insurance, and make SURE it remains LEVEL for a period of 30 years. Which means the premium will not go up. There is a great company that markets Term Insurance 100% of the time that I have my insurance through. The flip side would be Whole Life Insurance, I am not going to go into great details, but don’t do it. It’s WAY more expensive and not a wise choice. They have a cash value account inside the Life Insurance policy that part of your premium goes into, and when you die the insurance co. keeps it. The only way you’ll get it is if your paying REALLY really high premiums and it covers both. Or if you are still alive and take the cash out that has accumulated, you can do that.. but your going to pay interest to “borrow” YOUR OWN MONEY. Just don’t do it. Stick with Level Term Insurance.
As for 401K, if it’s a matching dollar 401K you should set that up with your employer and match UP TO what they put in there. If they will match 4%, you put in 4%. NO MORE than that. Put the rest of your money into a Roth IRA. It has tax advantages, you don’t pay any taxes on the growth of the money.. like you would in a 401K. But always make sure you take advantage of a matching 401K through work. If your work doesn’t have matching or doesn’t have a retirement program… do a Roth IRA.
As far as age.. NOW for retirement. Life Insurance is a good question, because most people think you should have it when your married, have kids, etc. Which is true. But for me I did it earlier because I had no idea what could happen in my health to prevent me from getting insurance. I have many family members uninsurable (insurance companies found them too big of a risk) and cannot get health or life insurance, and unfortuntely some of them are self employed. So at least get something for Life Insurance, if you are young and purchse Term Life Insurance, with the “right” company and the right kind of insurance, it will be very inexpensive.
Hope that helps!
It’s good you are thinking about this now! Most people wait too long in my opinion. The younger you are the better; this is for the main reason of price for life insurance. For a 401k the reason is time.
Life insurance is based on age and health, the younger we are the lower the price obviously and younger peoples health tend to be better. For things like a retirement fund or a 401k it gives you more time to pay into it.
Over time your needs will change with things such as marriage, home ownership, children etc. so its important to review your plan every year or so to make necessary changes as needed.
So to answer your question directly, the best time is now. Find a good agent who will work with you at meeting your current and future needs. They can tell you what plans work the best for your own situation.
It’s very dangerous advise to listen to someone who says “just buy term” or “just get whole life” as everyone situation is different, what is best for one person might not be best for another. That’s why I stress finding a good agent who will look at each of your needs.
Good Luck
Life insurance is a good idea when you’re planning a family. Mortgage insurance is good anytime you buy a property.
For the best U.S. consumer information on insurance, see NAIC listed at the top of the page here http://www.bcdisabilities.com/bcdisforum/viewtopic.php?t=86
You are thinking about it, so now is the time.
Call a LOCAL agent and have him/her provide a free service for you called Financial Need Analysis (FNA), or similar total need analysis. This will help YOU determine your insurance needs, such as life, health, disability, auto, home, retirement, etc., and the premium amounts will be fitted into YOUR budget.
Everyone’s insurance needs are not the same, so you need an analysis to determine yours, not just someone trying to sell you a policy. Agents who are out to just sell policies are not professional agents; they are policy peddlers.
Good health buys insurance. Money only pays for it. The best time to get insurance is 1)when you are healthy and 2) when you can afford it.
If you are in good health and have the means to affordable insurance its best to do it now while you are young when the premiums are low.
Retirement planning should be done as early as possible at well. Your goal is interest on top of interest. Invest in opportunities that will provide you will stock market gains and little or no risk.
Hey Vino,
Are you licensed to give investment advice, or are you one of the 99% of Primericans unlicensed to do so?
As usual, without knowing ANYTHING but her age, you make a one-size-fits-all Primerica recommendation to get an overpriced 30 year term, and invest the difference in your high-load mutual funds.
LOL