What Is Joint Term Life Insurance?

What Is Joint Term Life Insurance? by Sharon Taylor

Joint term life insurance policies are for life insurance policies based on the "joint first-to-die" concept. What this means is that when a joint term life insurance policy is taken out, you are actually insuring two separate people, but the policy is paid only one time, upon the death of one policyholder or the other. Joint term life insurance is not the ideal life insurance option for everyone, but it is worth looking into if you are trying to determine which is the best option for your situation and your loved ones. Before you look at joint term life insurance quotes online, keep reading to see if you would benefit from this type of insurance or if you should try something

There are several different instances when a couple should consider joint term life insurance quotes:

New Homebuyers – The most popular use for joint term life insurance is to serve as a way to protect the mortgage. Joint term life insurance policies ensure that the surviving spouse will be able to maintain their mortgage as well as paying off any other related debts should one of the policyholders pass away. As an added bonus, new homebuyers may be able to save money by purchasing this type of insurance

New Parents – Children tend to be expensive, which is why new parents can benefit from joint term life insurance. It can be used to pay for a myriad of expenses, including childcare and tuition costs if a spouse should happen to pass away before the children have grown up.

Retirees – Joint term life insurance can serve as a great complement to a traditional retirement plan because it provides additional options to any couples that are purchasing annuities. When a couple makes a purchase of an annuity, their options are these:

• An annuity that provides monthly payments until the first partner has passed away, in the case of a single life annuity, or
• An annuity that provides monthly payments until the remaining partner dies. This is a last-to-die annuity.

Couples tend to choose the latter option because it leaves the remaining partner a regular monthly income after the death of their spouse. However, because it is important for the annuity to last longer, the monthly income is generally much lower than what would be offered through a single life annuity.

By purchasing a term life insurance policy that works on a first-to-die basis, you can purchase a single life annuity that offers higher payments on a monthly basis without having to jeopardize or strain the income for whichever partner survives longer. This is because the life insurance policy will pay out completely to the surviving partner in the event that the first partner passes away.

Time Periods

Joint term life insurance policies usually come both in 10 and 20-year policies, known as “Term 10 life insurance” and “Term 20 life insurance.” Joint term 10 life insurance policies are intended to cover shorter term insurance needs, while Joint term 20 life insurance policies are meant to last a great deal longer and to address longer-term insurance needs. Most joint term 10 life insurance policies are renewable, so if your need should happen to range between ten and twenty years, it may be preferable to opt for the shorter plan and to renew when necessary, rather than buying into a plan that lasts longer than you really need it to.