Welsh's Corner

After several years of wallowing in financial upheaval caused by a severe recession and financial crisis, Americans are, once again, looking to the future. A renewed confidence has many people setting their sights on long term goals that, just a few years ago, may have seemed out of reach.

The decision to buy life insurance is one of the most important that we can make in our financial lives. It requires careful consideration of our needs, concerns and priorities.

Many people are familiar with the basic concepts of life insurance and understand that some level of protection is a necessary part of modern financial life.  The question of what life insurance can actually accomplish, when considered as part of an overall financial plan, is more involved and worth a closer look.

You think back fondly on those halcyon collegiate days--studying in the quad, late-night pizza, tailgating for the big game, dorm living, tossing your graduation cap in the air...beyond the lifelong friends and the parties and fun, college helped you get to where you are today.

So you’ve got your degree, now what?

For young families, the immediate cost of raising a child can be testing financially. Just when you thought you were in the clear from student loan repayments and your never-ending car lease, a hungry mouth appears with countless sleepless nights and a hefty price tag attached. But diapers, baby formula, and stuffed toys aren’t the only financial burdens parents should worry about.

Accumulating wealth turns out to be a double-edged sword for business owners. It certainly has its privileges, but it also comes with additional risk exposures. In a 2011 Zogby survey, 92 percent of people with a high new worth indicated concerns over the possibility of home invasions, muggings, kidnapping, and even random street crimes.

Generally speaking, conversations about life insurance revolve around whether you should buy term or permanent insurance. However, every decision to buy life insurance begins with deciding what is the right amount of life insurance. And, integral to determining the right amount of life insurance is understanding the role of your Social Security Survivorship Benefit (SSSB).

The one thing we of which we can all be certain is change.  Life happens every day and, as a result, we are constantly assessing our situation and changing our course, usually by making small adjustments.  A life insurance purchase is one of the few decisions we make with a more long term perspective.

Congratulations Newlyweds! Your fresh union symbolizes a new beginning facing the world. But before the glow of wedded bliss wears, it’s crucial to talk about finances.