Financial Planning, Estate Planning, Financial Planning And Investment, Charitable Donation, Beneficiary


		Study Reveals Financial Impact of a Spouse’s Premature Death The average financial recovery time for a widow or widower is four to five years after the death of a spouse according to a recent study. The MetLife study, entitled “Financial Impact of Premature Death,” examines the financial impact associated with the premature death of a spouse. Results of the survey indicate most Americans remain underinsured and are often required to make significant life changes when confronted with a spouse’s death. During early August 2003, approximately 1,000 widows and widowers were surveyed to compile the data for the study. Each of the participants had lost a spouse within a period of 6 months to 5 years prior to the survey. The deceased spouse was between 30 to 55 years old at the time of death. Here are some of the survey’s findings: -More than one-third of the surviving spouses received no life insurance proceeds. - Two-thirds of the spouses reported the death of a spouse had a “major” or “devastating” financial impact on their lives. - Two-thirds of spouses that received insurance proceeds, received less than 3 times the annual income of the deceased spouse. (Typical recommendations call for insurance replacement equal to 7 to 10 times the deceased spouse’s annual income) - One-fourth of beneficiaries received benefits that replaced less than one year of the deceased’s annual income. - Less than half of spouses who received insurance proceeds felt the coverage was “adequate.” - Almost half of surviving spouses stated their financial situation was “somewhat worse” or “much worse” after 3-5 years had passed since their spouse’s death. - Nearly half of deceased spouses lacked a will. A summary of the study can be found online at www.metlife.com at the MetLife Research Center.

Study Reveals Financial Impact of a Spouse’s Premature Death