Survey: Couples Rarely Talk About Life Insurance

A recent State Farm survey shows many people understand the need for life insurance, but acknowledge the conversation with their spouse might be uncomfortable.  A full 74% of couples say they rarely or never discuss the topic, particularly in households with one wage earner.

An earlier study from the research firm LIMRA found that nearly 1/3 of U.S. households currently have no life insurance, the highest level in more than 40 years.

Here are a few suggestions:

• Make a Plan. It can be empowering for couples to agree on goals and steps toward achieving a more secure future.  Have a strategy in place to get back on your feet financially and to prepare for the unexpected.
• Start Small. Often, couples may feel the gap is too great between what they have to work with financially today, versus what they would like to have in the future.  Start with small steps - such as getting educated about life insurance basics.
• Consult an Expert.  Bringing in a knowledgeable outside perspective can make the process of discussing life insurance easier and less stressful. Experts have experience guiding the conversation and answering questions.