Is a million dollar life insurance policy worth it?

Asked by: Jaren Schulist  |  Last update: December 28, 2025
Score: 5/5 (55 votes)

A $1 million life insurance is a type of policy that offers a larger death benefit payout. This level of coverage can be more costly, but it can be helpful if you need to replace a large income or if your loved ones will have significant financial needs in your absence.

Is a 1 million-dollar life insurance policy good?

Choosing to add a million-dollar life insurance policy can mean greater financial stability for your loved ones after you pass away. Because of the larger death benefit, more funds may remain after they pay for immediate costs, such as final expenses and outstanding debt.

What is the monthly payment for 1 million-dollar whole life insurance?

Premiums are typically paid monthly or annually. will be — although many 20-year term life policies are still affordable. A 30-year-old woman could pay less than $37 per month for a million-dollar, 20-year term life policy, while a 30-year-old man could pay less than $49 per month.

At what point is life insurance not worth it?

If you have no dependents, lots of money, and no estate that needs liquidity, then you don't need life insurance unless you need it for business purposes. In general, if you have no children or others you're financially supporting, most people don't need life insurance.

How long does a million-dollar life insurance policy last?

With a million-dollar whole life policy, coverage lasts for life, so your beneficiaries are guaranteed a payout as long as premiums are paid up. These policies also build cash value that can be accessed while you're still alive.

Heated Debate Between Whole Life Agent and Dave Ramsey

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Do you have to pay taxes on a million dollar life insurance policy?

If the beneficiary isn't named in your policy, your life insurance benefits will go into a taxable estate. The first $11.7 million is not taxed at a federal level – this is the threshold. Anything above this amount is subject to being taxed.

What are the disadvantages of whole life insurance?

A more complex product than term life insurance. Higher premiums than term life insurance. Could be costly if coverage lapses early.

At what age should you stop buying life insurance?

Many people in their 60s and 70s may no longer need life insurance. They may have already paid off the house, stopped working, sent the kids off to care for themselves or accumulated enough assets to offset the need for life insurance. But sometimes buying or maintaining a life insurance policy over age 60 makes sense.

What does Dave Ramsey recommend for life insurance?

Core Ramsey Teaching: You only need life insurance while you have people depending on your income. Buy a 10–20-year term policy worth 10–12 times your annual income. Since life insurance is only for the short-term, you should only buy term life insurance. (Hence the name.)

What is the downside of life insurance?

Cons of life insurance

One disadvantage of life insurance is that the older you are, the more you'll pay for a policy. This is because you're more likely to pass away during the policy period than a younger policyholder and will, in turn, cost the life insurance company more money.

Why do millionaires get whole life insurance?

Whole life insurance can provide tax-free dividends

For someone looking to build up wealth to cash in on during retirement, Secco says that dividends can accumulate over time and be used as a tax-free pool of money. However, Secco says that using life insurance as a savings vehicle is a long-term strategy.

Do you pay taxes on life insurance?

Generally, life insurance proceeds you receive as a beneficiary due to the death of the insured person, aren't includable in gross income and you don't have to report them. However, any interest you receive is taxable and you should report it as interest received.

How to cash out a million dollar life insurance policy?

How to cash out whole life insurance
  1. Take out a policy loan. Whole life insurance lets you borrow at low rates with no credit check or fixed repayment date. ...
  2. Withdraw funds. Policies also let you withdraw cash from the policy to avoid having to repay a loan. ...
  3. Surrender your policy. ...
  4. Sell your policy.

Is a million dollar pension good?

For many people, $1 million is enough to retire. But whether it will be enough for you depends on several factors, including your anticipated lifestyle, your estimated healthcare costs, inflation, and how long you expect to live.

What is the best amount for life insurance?

Calculation 1:

One of the simplest ways to get a rough idea of how much life insurance to buy is to multiply your gross (a.k.a. before tax) income by 10 to 15. Another popular formula recommends adding $100,000 to that amount for each child's college education expenses.

Can I get a million dollar life insurance policy without a medical exam?

Many companies today offer life insurance with no medical exam as a fast and non-invasive way to get the protection you need. Like most things in life, though, there can be benefits and limits that you need to consider before choosing a product.

What is Suze Orman say about life insurance?

There are plenty of savings plans other than an insurance policy that are a far smarter move. With that in mind, in my opinion, the only type of life insurance that makes sense is term, which is good for a specific period of time.

Is term or whole life better?

It depends on your needs and wants. If you only need life insurance for a relatively short period of time (such as while you have minor children to raise), term life may be better because the premiums are more affordable. If you need permanent coverage that lasts your entire life, whole life is likely preferred.

What 4 investments does Dave Ramsey recommend?

A diversified portfolio typically includes a mix of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, balancing growth and stability. Ramsey often recommends allocating investments into four types of mutual funds: growth, growth and income, aggressive growth, and international funds.

Do I get my money back if I outlive my life insurance?

Do you get your money back at the end of a term life insurance policy? You can't get your premium dollars back from a standard term life insurance policy once it expires. However, if you buy a return of premium (ROP) rider, then you could get some or all of your premium back if you outlive your policy.

What age is too late for life insurance?

Term life insurance typically has an age limit ranging from 75 to 86 years old, while whole life insurance, universal life insurance, and variable life insurance generally have no maximum age limit. Final expense insurance and guaranteed issue insurance typically have an age limit of around 85 years old.

How long do you have to pay life insurance before it pays out?

If you die after two years of buying the policy, the company must pay the death benefit. They can't deny the payment unless you don't pay your premium, made a false statement, or withheld information.

How long does it take for whole life insurance to build cash value?

A whole life insurance policy will begin building cash value as soon as you pay your first premium, and it will continue building throughout the life of the policy as long as there are funds in the account.

Which is better, term or life insurance?

If you are looking for a pure life insurance plan, then a basic term insurance plan is a good option as it offers a sum assured at an affordable premium. However, if you are looking for a more comprehensive cover and/or wealth generation along with protection, then you can look at the range of life insurance plans.

Which type of life insurance is typically less expensive?

Term life is often the most affordable life insurance because it's temporary and has no cash value. Whole life premiums are much higher because the coverage typically lasts your lifetime, and the policy grows cash value.