Add the needs
Include income replacement, debts, mortgage, dependent care, education goals, final expenses, and any special obligations.
Coverage planning
How much life insurance do I need? Build the number from the gap
A coverage amount should connect to obligations and resources, not a universal salary multiple. Add what survivors may need, subtract what is already available, and test whether the resulting premium fits the budget.
Reviewed for clarity and compliance · September 2026
Subtract resources
Account for individual and employer coverage, liquid savings, and assets actually intended for the same purpose.
Stress-test the term
The amount and the duration work together. A large benefit ending too early may still leave the household exposed.
Use an estimate as a conversation starter
A calculator cannot model taxes, inflation, investment returns, survivor earnings, special-needs planning, or complex ownership. Use the result to form a range and review assumptions with qualified professionals where appropriate.
- Update the estimate after major life changes
- Avoid counting the same resource twice
- Do not spend emergency savings on premiums you cannot sustain
- Coordinate beneficiaries with estate and family plans
Ready to make this specific to you?
Use your age, state, coverage amount, term, tobacco use, and general health to create a more useful starting point.
Start my comparisonCommon questions
What shoppers ask
Is ten times income enough life insurance?+
A multiple can be a rough shortcut, but it may omit debt, care work, education, existing assets, and the actual number of income-replacement years.
Should I include my mortgage in the calculation?+
Include the portion you want the death benefit to address, while avoiding double-counting if your income-replacement estimate already covers housing payments.