Definition of "Needs approach"

Personal insurance method used to analyze the amount necessary to maintain a family in its customary life-style, should the primary wage earner die. This includes such considerations as:

  1. immediate needs ("cleanup fund") expenses associated with final medical treatments and burial, inheritance taxes, estate taxes, probate costs, outstanding debt.
  2. continued income while children are still in school and depend on family support.
  3. continued income for the surviving spouse after children no longer depend on family support.
  4. continued income to pay a mortgage, education expenses, emergency expenses, and miscellaneous expenses.
  5. retirement fund for the surviving spouse.
From the sum of these expenses, subtract sources of income available to the surviving spouse (Social Security, investments, employee benefit plans such as group life insurance and pensions), to arrive at a final figure on which to base the amount of life insurance the wage earner should consider.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Insurance Terms

Modified endowment insurance policy under which the insured receives one-half the death benefit as the maturity value of the policy. ...

Actual mortality experience of an insured group as compared to the expected mortality for that group. ...

Term in pensions; leaving a job before normal retirement age, subject to minimum requirements of age and years of service. There usually is a reduction in the monthly retirement benefit. ...

Annuity guaranteeing a given number of income payments whether or not the annuitant is alive to receive them. If the annuitant is living after the guaranteed number of payments have been ...

Act that regulates the variable dollar insurance products (equity related) sold by insurance companies. The act includes regulations that stipulate: the variable dollar insurance products ...

End of a defined time period that dividends become payable to the policyholder. ...

All sources of cash flow, usually stated on an annual basis. ...

Association of independent agents whose objective is to further the interests of these agents through education, lobbying, and professional ethics. ...

Physical, moral, or financial circumstance of a life insurance applicant that sets him or her apart from a physically, morally, and financially sound standard applicant. The underwriting ...

Popular Insurance Questions