Life Insurance
How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?
Our calculator uses the DIME method (Debt + Income × years + Mortgage + Education) to recommend a coverage amount and a realistic monthly premium range.
Recommended Coverage
$1,300k
$89–$167 / month · 30-yr term
Income × years$1,050,000
Debt payoff$250,000
Goal multiplier×1
Recommended term30 years
Term vs. whole life
For most working-age households, 20- or 30-year level term is the right answer: low premium, large death benefit, and coverage ends when the financial obligation does. Whole life is appropriate for estate planning, lifelong dependents, or as a tax-advantaged savings vehicle after maxing retirement accounts.
Buy now, not later
Life insurance premiums rise 5–10% per year of age. A 35-year-old in good health locks in dramatically lower premiums than the same person at 45.