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How long should I take out life insurance for?

If you decide to take out life insurance, there are a few things you need to consider, including the payout amount and who the beneficiaries are. Equally as important is the term length, which will dictate the period you are covered for. This ranges from a few years to the end of your life.

But what is the ideal term for life insurance? Do I need it for my whole life, or just few years?

When you work out how long you want a life insurance policy to run for, it’s important to establish why you're taking it out in the first place. Most people do so either to cover a specific financial obligation such as a mortgage, or provide money for their family in their absence. Whatever the reason, the term of your policy should reflect this. 

For example, if your mortgage term is 25 years, then you will want a life insurance policy that mirrors this. You may also choose to opt for reducing cover, which means that the cover provided will reduce in line with the amount you owe, meaning you are only covered for what you need.

If, on the other hand, your policy is there to provide for your children should something happen to you, then you might opt for a policy that will pay out until they leave home. Generally speaking, the premium will be higher for a longer term, so it’s always worth considering whether a shorter contract will work for you.

For those that want full peace of mind that whatever happens to them, their family will be taken care of, then full life cover might be the best option. 

It’s also important to note that some life insurance policies are flexible. If you need to make changes midway through a term, you may be able to do so. 

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Is over 50s life insurance worth it?

Many people take out term life insurance policies to cover them while they’re working, raising children, and paying off a mortgage. Those policies will often lapse by the time you’re in your 50s or 60s, and you may struggle to qualify for a new term life insurance policy, or face very high premiums for it. At this point, some people take outover 50s life insurance. It’s a type of whole of life insurance, which means it will last for the rest of your life and provide a nearly guaranteed, fixed pay-out to your loved ones. Provided you’re under the maximum age, typically set at 80 or 85, acceptance is guaranteed.Despite these advantages, over 50s life insurance policies are subject to a lot of debate. Detractors note that the payouts are small. If you live for a long time, you may end up paying more in premiums than your family receives.Below we’ll cover some of the advantages and disadvantages of over 50s life insurance policies. We’ll also examine the circumstances in which it might make sense to take out an over 50s policy and whether other  financial and insurance products might be more suitable for you.