06/16/2026
I hear this a lot: "I have life insurance through my work, so I'm covered."
And I have to gently push back — because being covered and being adequately covered are two very different things.
Most group life insurance through a job typically gives you 1× your annual salary. So if you earn $52,000, your family gets $52,000 if something happens to you. That's roughly one year of income.
If you have a mortgage, kids at home, or a spouse who depends on your income — one year doesn't go very far.
The general rule of thumb is 10–12× your annual income, especially during your working years. That sounds like a lot, but a $500,000 term policy for a healthy adult in their 30s or 40s often costs less than $25–$35/month.
The mistake most people make isn't buying too little — it's never reviewing what they already have. Your needs at 35 are very different from your needs at 55.
I do free life insurance reviews. We look at what you have, what you actually need, and whether you're overpaying (or undercovered). No pressure.
Book here: https://calendly.com/retireandinsurewithcyndi/30min