Life insurance basics
The questions that come up in almost every first conversation — how much coverage, which kind, and what the words on the page actually mean.
3 articles in this topic.
How much life insurance do I actually need?
A way to work out a coverage amount from your own numbers, instead of copying a rule of thumb that was never about your family.
3 min read · Last reviewed September 2, 2026
Term vs. permanent: how to actually decide
The two families of life insurance do different jobs. A plain comparison of what each is good at, what each costs you, and the questions that settle it.
3 min read · Last reviewed September 2, 2026
What your employer’s life insurance actually covers
Group coverage through work is a genuine benefit and a poor foundation. What it typically does, where it stops, and how to check yours.
3 min read · Last reviewed September 2, 2026
Educational information. The information on this page is general and educational. It is not insurance, tax or legal advice, and it is not a recommendation to buy, keep, change or cancel any policy. Your own situation may lead to a different conclusion. Please talk with a licensed professional before acting.
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Other topics in the library
Most questions cross more than one of these. Follow whichever one sounds like your situation.
- Indexed universal life
- Final expense
- Living benefits
- Owning a policy
- Beneficiaries
- Policy reviews
- Claims
- Business owners