Uses of Life Insurance – Protecting Your Family's Financial Future
Life insurance is an instant estate builder. Proceeds of life insurance can provide liquidity at the insured's death for:
- The payment of taxes and other transfer expenses
- Satisfaction of debt
- Income to surviving family members
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Other Advantages of Life Insurance
- If a policy has named beneficiaries other than the estate, the proceeds will go directly to those beneficiaries without being subject to probate.
- Proceeds pass to beneficiaries generally free of federal income tax.
- If an irrevocable trust or someone other than the insured/decedent owns the policy, and the insured/decedent possessed no incidents of ownership and the policy is not payable to the insured's estate, the proceeds will generally not be included in the insured's gross estate for federal estate tax purposes.
- Benefits are available immediately and may be used to help pay such expenses as final illness and funeral costs, eliminating the need to sell estate assets to cover these costs.
Other Uses of Life Insurance in Estate Planning Include
- Providing education funds for children and grandchildren
- Equalization of inheritances (life insurance may be left to those heirs who do not wish to receive a part of the family business or farm)
- Funding of business continuation plans
- Funding of charitable gifts
- Provide additional funds for the benefit of an adult or child with special needs
Careful consideration should be given to the ownership and beneficiary arrangements of any life insurance purchased for estate purposes. You should consult with a qualified tax professional to coordinate your insurance program with your overall testamentary arrangements.
State Farm Life Insurance Company (Not licensed in MA, NY or WI) and State Farm Life and Accident Assurance Company (Residents of NY and WI only) offer a variety of life insurance products to meet an estate owner's needs. Whether it is a policy needed for estate tax purposes, survivor income, or business continuation, a State Farm® agent can help provide information to you to help you choose a life insurance program to meet your needs.