What would your family need?

Keep the whole picture in mind.

• Avoid counting a cost twice. If you included a mortgage payoff under debts, do not also count those same mortgage payments in monthly support.
• Leave room for emergencies. Only subtract savings that you actually intend to use for these needs.
• Check coverage through work. Ask whether it ends or changes when your job does. Do not count coverage you cannot rely on.
• Revisit the estimate. This simple math does not adjust for inflation, investment returns, taxes, or changes in income and needs.

Formula: monthly support × 12 × years, plus one-time costs, minus savings and existing insurance. A negative result is shown as $0. What is affordable and available depends on your situation and the insurer’s review.

Planning resource: NAIC tips for buying life insurance.