900 N. Kings Highway, Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08034
856.667.4100 · 215.563.0276 · Fax: 856.667.3652

The Online Advisor

December 2007

Smart Business

Do you need life insurance on your children?

Ask whether you should carry life insurance on your children and you'll receive a variety of answers. Here's a look at the arguments for and against.

* Financial security
Traditionally, you take out life insurance to provide for the financial security of dependents. The policy should provide funds to replace the insured's income and to pay off debts. Neither of these reasons applies to young children. They don't generally have any significant income, and they don't usually have any debts. Some parents might want to carry a modest amount of insurance to cover funeral costs for their children in case the unthinkable happens.

* Insurability
Another argument is that by taking out a policy at a young age, you help to guarantee insurability as the child grows older. This could be important if the child develops a major illness later in life. The problem is that if the child does develop a serious illness, insurance could then become very expensive or limited in amount.

* Insurance as an investment
Some advisors suggest that parents should take out a whole life policy on their children. These policies include a savings component to build up cash value in the policy. You could then use that value for education expenses or other needs. But others say that there are cheaper and more efficient ways to save than by using life insurance. For example, putting money into a tax-advantaged Section 529 plan might be a much better way to save for college tuition costs.

For more complete information about 529 savings plan, including investment objectives, risks, fees and expenses associated with it, pleases read the issuer's official statement. The issuer's official statement can be obtained from your financial advisor. Please read it carefully before investing. Please consider, before investing, whether your home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in your state's qualified tuition program. Other benefits may include reduced or waived program fees, matching grants, and scholarships to state colleges. Any state-based benefit offered with respect to a particular 529 college savings plan should be one of many appropriately weighted factors to be considered in making an investment decision. You should consult with your financial, tax or other adviser to learn more about how stat-based benefits (including any limitations) would apply to your specific circumstances and you also may wish to contact your home state or any other 529 college savings plan to learn more about the features, benefits and limitations of that state's 529 college savings plan.


* The bottom line
Although a majority of financial advisors would probably argue against life insurance for children, there may be some situations when it makes sense. One thing is clear: You shouldn't take out a policy just because it is offered to you or because others are doing it. Insure your kids only if you've done your homework and know exactly why you need the insurance.

Please contact our office if you'd like help reviewing the advantages and disadvantages as they apply to your particular situation.

Securities offered through 1st Global Capital Corp., Member FINRA, SIPC
Investment advisory services offered through 1st Global Advisors, Inc.

For details on exactly what business records you need and how long they should be kept, call us.

[Current Online Advisor] [Business Information] [Home]

 

 

untitled

This site designed and maintained by the Information Technology experts at Alloy, Silverstein, Shapiro, Adams, Mulford, Cicalese, Wilson & Co.

We appreciate comments concerning our website. Contact our webmaster .