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Life insurance for the way you live

Protect what matters to you, today and tomorrow

Life insurance helps take care of who and what you love, no matter where you are on your journey. Your company's annual benefits enrollment period is a great time to confirm that you have the right coverage in place.

How much life insurance do you need?

A general guideline is to consider having coverage equal to 7 to 10 times your annual salary.¹

That might sound like a lot, but consider this: It can take years for a family to financially recover from the loss of a loved one.2

Test your life insurance knowledge

7-10 years X Annual Salary = Amount of Life Insurance

More than 50% of employees who experienced the premature death of a spouse or partner report that, after 5 years, they're still experiencing a “major/devastating” impact on their family’s financial confidence.³

Times to consider getting life insurance

Life insurance can be an important part of your financial wellness as your life changes.

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Starting out on your own

If you pass away and don't have life insurance, final expenses and other costs could be a burden on those around you. For example, the average cost of a funeral is $7,000 to $10,000.⁴ And if anyone, like a parent, has co-signed for loans or other types of debt you have, including some student loans, that person could be responsible for the debt.⁵

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Taking care of your family

A working parent needs a death benefit large enough to replace income and cover family expenses. A stay-at-home parent has life insurance needs because their labor has economic value. A homeowner with a mortgage can use life insurance to help ensure that family can continue to live in the place they call home.

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Creating a legacy

Hoping to head into retirement within the next 5 to 10 years? Congratulations! Maybe you plan to travel, or shift your professional life into consulting or part-time gigs. As you reflect and recognize how far you’ve come, you may also want to look more closely at the legacy you’d like to leave.

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The top three reasons reported for obtaining life insurance are to cover final expenses, replace lost income, and leave an inheritance.⁶

Frequently asked questions

How to take advantage of your life insurance benefits at work

Review the benefits offered through your workplace and determine how much life insurance is available to you. If your employer provides life insurance as a benefit, consider this an easy and convenient way to gain additional financial protection for who and what you love.

More information to help you decide what's right for you

  • Benefits Enrollment Preparation

    Learn more

  • 8 ways to improve your well-being, starting at work

    Learn more

  • Test your life insurance knowledge

    Learn more

1 This is Guardian's Rule of Thumb based on experience and may not apply universally to every individual and their unique set of circumstances

2,3 14th Annual Workplace Benefits Study, Guardian Life, 2025

4 "Funeral Costs: How Much Does an Average Funeral Cost?" Parting, September 13, 2022

5 Cosigning a Loan FAQs, Federal Trade Commission Advice, 2023

6 Why should I buy life insurance? Insurance Information Institute, 2025

7 U.S. Life Insurance need Gap Grows in 2024, LIMRA, April 15, 2024

Guardian, its subsidiaries, agents, and employees do not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. Consult your tax, legal, or accounting professional regarding your individual situation. Guardian’s Group Term Life Insurance is underwritten and issued by The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, NY. Products are not available in all states. Policy limitations and exclusions apply. Optional riders and/or features may incur additional costs. Generic Policy Form # GP-1-LIFE-15. The state approved form is the governing document. For NY, the Policy Form # is GP-1-LIFE-12-NY.

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Life insurance is paid directly to your beneficiaries, generally not subject to income taxes, and the value is insulated from market volatility.

Purchasing life insurance through work is often more cost-effective because of the buying power of a group. What’s more, the process can be easier, especially if the coverage your employer is offering does not require health questions or a medical exam, and premiums are paid through convenient and automatic payroll deductions. Also, in many cases your company's life insurance plan may provide the opportunity to periodically increase your coverage during your annual benefit enrollment period.

Life insurance – especially when obtained through your workplace – is likely more cost-effective than you think. A recent study shows about 72% of Americans overestimate the cost of a basic term life insurance policy, and younger Americans are likely to believe it is three times the actual cost.7

Yes, you can take the coverage with you if you change jobs or retire. You will pay the premium yourself, typically on a monthly or annual basis, and it will be different than the group rate.