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This article is a courtesy of our partner Beneva*.

If you or your significant other were to die, would your surviving spouse be well protected?  It may be time to re-evaluate your situation from this perspective with an advisor.  You can look at your current coverage and see if it’s really enough for your family’s needs!

Estate planning: a must

Upon the death of a spouse, the surviving spouse usually has less income.  This is because pensions decrease or cease completely, such as the case with the Old Age Security pension, which stops the month following the death.

Depending on his or her situation, the surviving spouse may not have enough money in the absence of the deceased’s income: not having to pay the deceased’s personal expenses will not compensate for the amounts not received.  However, the expenses related to funeral expenses, taxes and other obligations (payment of credit cards, mortgage or rent, a child’s education, etc.) must be carefully evaluated.  All of these expenses require estate planning – a process that tends to be postponed when everything is going well!

A good strategy, based on projections and scenarios, often includes life insurance.

Among other things, this type of coverage can make up for the lack of cash.  Otherwise, the estate may find itself in a situation where it has to quickly dispose of assets (for example, sell a family property) to pay creditors.

How to calculate the required income

Specialists estimate that to maintain their standard of living, the surviving spouse needs 80% of the overall cost of living prior to death.

Other general measures are used: to maintain his or her standard of living, the surviving spouse must rely on an income of between 60% and 70% of the total family income.  This formula works in most situations – but with a modest or very high family income, the percentage must be adjusted.

Beyond estimates, nothing beats a budget and personalized planning. And while each case is different, one constant remains: the loss of a loved one should not lead to a reduced standard of living!

Types of insurance and duration of coverage

Insurance products abound on the market and are sometimes complex.  At this stage, an advisor can explain the coverage available and help you make the right choices.

Here are two of the elements to consider:

Type of coverage: temporary or permanent

• The type of protection should be based on the ability to pay, but also on the needs to be met. The idea behind it?  Cover temporary needs with term insurance and permanent needs with a permanent product.
• Temporary coverage can maintain a family income at a reasonable cost.  They are very useful for certain purposes: one of them could end, for example, when a couple’s mortgage is paid off.
• The needs of permanent insurance products, on the other hand, often correspond to the expenses related to death and the desire to leave money as an inheritance.

The Role 

• Life insurance plays several roles.  Payable on the first death, it can protect the capital of a surviving spouse; payable on the second death, the coverage is intended for the other beneficiaries – the children of a couple, for example.
• Since the amount of insurance paid upon death is tax-free, some people use it afterwards to invest or as financial leverage.

What about your situation?

Depending on their finances and goals, each couple has its own challenges.  Yours does too!  To get the right perspective, ask an advisor for help. This specialist will help you calculate whether you and your spouse are protected enough so that the surviving spouse has enough income (for life).  If not, you can work together to develop a strategy to deal with the situation.

Once this is done, and death scenarios are behind you, you and your loved will be free to enjoy your time together!

Regardless of your insurer, it is recommended that you analyze your situation with an advisor.  To consult an SSQ Insurance advisor, call 1-866-225-5050.

See the discount offer

*Beneva designates Beneva Inc., Financial Services Firm.

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Note: This blog post is provided for information purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional legal, financial or fiscal advice. For advice specific to your personal situation, always speak with your advisor. Beneva Inc. cannot be held responsible for any decision made as a result of reading this blog post.

Life, health and accident insurance, and investment and retirement products are offered by Beneva and are distributed by the financial security advisors of  Beneva designates Beneva Inc., Financial Services Firm.