Contents
Protecting What You’ve Built
Life Insurance Readiness Checklist
Take stock of where you stand and spot gaps before they become a problem.
By the RetireRight team
Updated October 2026
3 min read
Protecting What You’ve Built
Life Insurance Readiness Checklist
Take stock of where you stand and spot gaps before they become a problem.
By the RetireRight team
Updated October 2026
3 min read
Protecting What You’ve Built
Life Insurance Readiness Checklist
Take stock of where you stand and spot gaps before they become a problem.
By the RetireRight team
Updated October 2026
3 min read
Most people spend more time reviewing their streaming subscriptions than their life insurance. This checklist helps you take stock of where you stand and spot gaps before they become a problem. If you find yourself answering “no,” “not sure” or “it’s been a while,” that’s your signal to schedule a review.
At a glance
10–12×
Your annual income: a common coverage guideline
12–24 mo
How often to review your policy
Most people spend more time reviewing their streaming subscriptions than their life insurance. This checklist helps you take stock of where you stand and spot gaps before they become a problem. If you find yourself answering “no,” “not sure” or “it’s been a while,” that’s your signal to schedule a review.
At a glance
10–12×
Your annual income: a common coverage guideline
12–24 mo
How often to review your policy
Most people spend more time reviewing their streaming subscriptions than their life insurance. This checklist helps you take stock of where you stand and spot gaps before they become a problem. If you find yourself answering “no,” “not sure” or “it’s been a while,” that’s your signal to schedule a review.
At a glance
10–12×
Your annual income: a common coverage guideline
12–24 mo
How often to review your policy
Take stock
Your Readiness Checklist
Take stock
Your Readiness Checklist
Take stock
Your Readiness Checklist
Readiness checklist
Coverage amount
Beneficiary designations
Policy type and fit
Policy details and housekeeping
Answered "no," "not sure" or "it's been a while"? That's your signal to schedule a review.
Readiness checklist
Coverage amount
Beneficiary designations
Policy type and fit
Policy details and housekeeping
Answered "no," "not sure" or "it's been a while"? That's your signal to schedule a review.
Readiness checklist
Coverage amount
Beneficiary designations
Policy type and fit
Policy details and housekeeping
Answered "no," "not sure" or "it's been a while"? That's your signal to schedule a review.
The detail
Why Each Area Matters
The detail
Why Each Area Matters
The detail
Why Each Area Matters
Coverage Amount
A common guideline is coverage of 10 to 12 times your annual income: enough to replace your earnings, pay off debts and protect your family long term. Employer coverage alone usually isn’t enough.
Beneficiary Designations
Beneficiary designations override your will, so an outdated one can send money where you didn’t intend.
Policy Type And Fit
Know whether you have term or permanent coverage and why. If it’s term, know when it expires and what happens next, including whether converting to permanent coverage makes sense. Make sure you aren’t paying for coverage you no longer need, or assuming you’re covered when you’re not.
Policy Details And Housekeeping
Small oversights can create big problems for the people you’re protecting. Review your policy every 12 to 24 months.
Coverage Amount
A common guideline is coverage of 10 to 12 times your annual income: enough to replace your earnings, pay off debts and protect your family long term. Employer coverage alone usually isn’t enough.
Beneficiary Designations
Beneficiary designations override your will, so an outdated one can send money where you didn’t intend.
Policy Type And Fit
Know whether you have term or permanent coverage and why. If it’s term, know when it expires and what happens next, including whether converting to permanent coverage makes sense. Make sure you aren’t paying for coverage you no longer need, or assuming you’re covered when you’re not.
Policy Details And Housekeeping
Small oversights can create big problems for the people you’re protecting. Review your policy every 12 to 24 months.
Coverage Amount
A common guideline is coverage of 10 to 12 times your annual income: enough to replace your earnings, pay off debts and protect your family long term. Employer coverage alone usually isn’t enough.
Beneficiary Designations
Beneficiary designations override your will, so an outdated one can send money where you didn’t intend.
Policy Type And Fit
Know whether you have term or permanent coverage and why. If it’s term, know when it expires and what happens next, including whether converting to permanent coverage makes sense. Make sure you aren’t paying for coverage you no longer need, or assuming you’re covered when you’re not.
Policy Details And Housekeeping
Small oversights can create big problems for the people you’re protecting. Review your policy every 12 to 24 months.
Triggers
Life Changes Since Your Last Review
Any of these can change how much coverage you need and who should receive it.
Triggers
Life Changes Since Your Last Review
Any of these can change how much coverage you need and who should receive it.
Triggers
Life Changes Since Your Last Review
Any of these can change how much coverage you need and who should receive it.
01
Marriage or divorce
02
A new child
03
A new home or major debt
04
A big change in income
05
Starting or selling a business
06
The death of a spouse or beneficiary
07
Approaching retirement
01
Marriage or divorce
02
A new child
03
A new home or major debt
04
A big change in income
05
Starting or selling a business
06
The death of a spouse or beneficiary
07
Approaching retirement
01
Marriage or divorce
02
A new child
03
A new home or major debt
04
A big change in income
05
Starting or selling a business
06
The death of a spouse or beneficiary
07
Approaching retirement
Protect who depends on you
Don't Let Coverage Gaps Catch You Off Guard
If the checklist turns up any gaps, or it’s simply been a while, now is a good time to review your coverage and make sure the people who depend on you are protected.
Protect who depends on you
Don't Let Coverage Gaps Catch You Off Guard
If the checklist turns up any gaps, or it’s simply been a while, now is a good time to review your coverage and make sure the people who depend on you are protected.
Protect who depends on you
Don't Let Coverage Gaps Catch You Off Guard
If the checklist turns up any gaps, or it’s simply been a while, now is a good time to review your coverage and make sure the people who depend on you are protected.
Free download
Download a Free life insurance readiness checklist.
Use this checklist to gather what you need before deadlines approach.
Download Free Checklist
Free download
Download a Free life insurance readiness checklist.
Use this checklist to gather what you need before deadlines approach.
This material is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a solicitation or as legal, tax, Social Security or investment advice. Consult your tax advisor or attorney for specific advice. Not affiliated with the U.S. Government. Insurance guarantees are backed solely by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.
This material is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a solicitation or as legal, tax, Social Security or investment advice. Consult your tax advisor or attorney for specific advice. Not affiliated with the U.S. Government. Insurance guarantees are backed solely by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.
This material is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a solicitation or as legal, tax, Social Security or investment advice. Consult your tax advisor or attorney for specific advice. Not affiliated with the U.S. Government. Insurance guarantees are backed solely by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.