Why does Dave Ramsey recommend term life insurance?

Dave Ramsey recommends term life insurance because it is the most affordable, simple, and effective way to replace a person's income for their dependents during the specific period they need coverage. He believes life insurance should not be mixed with investing and that the primary goal is to become financially self-insured over time.

Why does Dave Ramsey promote term life insurance?

And that's actually what makes term life insurance a much better deal than whole life. You're only paying for life insurance—not some wonky cash value account that grows slowly (like over your whole life). This way, you can invest those premium savings and build real wealth instead. (More on all that a little later.)

Why doesn't Dave Ramsey like whole life insurance?

Whole life insurance includes something like term life, but 90% of what you pay is essentially just putting money aside to be turned over to beneficiaries when you die. The reason most financial advisers, including Ramsey, think this is stupid is that your whole life investments make about 1%-3% gains annually.

At what age should you stop term life insurance?

There isn't any age cut-off that makes life insurance no longer worth it; it's all about your personal situation. That being said, it is often worth having life insurance after 65 if you have dependents who rely on you financially.

Does Dave Ramsey recommend whole or term life insurance?

Dave Ramsey strongly recommends term life insurance, not whole life, because it's simple, affordable, and fulfills life insurance's primary purpose: income replacement if you die, while allowing you to invest the savings in wealth-building assets. He argues that whole life is overpriced, overly complicated, and a poor investment compared to term plus disciplined investing. 

Term Vs. Whole Life Insurance | The Best Option For The Sandwich Generation

What is the downside to term life insurance?

The main disadvantages of term life insurance are its temporary nature (it expires), the lack of cash value, and expensive renewals, as premiums jump significantly if you need coverage past the initial term, especially as you age and health declines, meaning no payout if you outlive the term. It's essentially "pure insurance" for a specific period, offering no investment growth, unlike permanent policies, and can become unaffordable if you still need it later in life. 

Why is whole life insurance a money trap?

Whole life insurance builds cash value, but here's the catch: It can take years—sometimes over a decade—before the cash value grows into a meaningful amount. Initially, most of your premiums are allocated to fees, commissions, and insurance costs.

What does Suze Orman say about life insurance?

Suze believes that permanent life insurance such as whole life or indexed universal life (IUL) are bad investments, much like other financial entertainers such as Dave Ramsey. In her opinion, she feels you would be better off investing the money you save by buying cheaper term life, than by investing in life insurance.

How much does a $1,000,000 term life insurance policy cost?

Term life insurance with $1 million in coverage and a 10-year term length costs an average of $62 per month for men and $59 per month for women. Longer terms cost more because insurers take on higher risk over time. A 30-year term policy costs an average of $173 per month for men and $146 per month for women.

What does Warren Buffett say about life insurance?

Berkshire Hathaway owns companies like GEICO and General Re, and it invests heavily in life insurance operations. Insurance is not just a side business for Buffett. It is the foundation of his success. Buffett understands that insurance is about managing risk fairly and building trust.

What is the 25 rule Dave Ramsey?

So a mortgage is the one kind of debt we don't yell at you for. But if you go that route, stick to the 25% rule—remember, that means never buying a house with a monthly payment that's more than 25% of your monthly take-home pay.

What are the 4 funds Dave Ramsey recommends?

The best way to invest in mutual funds is to have these four types of mutual funds in your investment portfolio: growth and income (large cap), growth (medium cap), aggressive growth (small cap), and international. This will help spread your risk and create a stable, diverse portfolio.

Is Dave Ramsey a Trump supporter?

He has blamed politics for what he considers Americans' economic dependence, and has said presidents should do "as little as possible" about the economy. Ramsey supported Donald Trump in the 2024 United States presidential election.

Can you cash out a term life insurance policy?

No, you generally cannot cash out a standard term life insurance policy because it doesn't build cash value; it only provides a death benefit for a set period, unlike permanent policies (whole/universal life) that accumulate savings. However, you might be able to sell a policy (life settlement), convert it to a permanent policy if it's a convertible term, or get a small refund during the initial "free look" period after purchase. 

Why would anyone want term life insurance?

You get term life insurance for affordable, temporary financial protection to cover major expenses like mortgages, education, or income replacement for your family during peak earning years, without the added cost of a savings component. It's ideal for young families or those on a budget needing substantial coverage for a specific period (10-30 years) until financial obligations lessen, providing a tax-free payout if you pass away during the term to secure loved ones' futures.
 

How much term life insurance should I get at Ramsey?

Core Ramsey Teaching: You only need life insurance while you have people depending on your income. Buy a 10–20-year term policy worth 10–12 times your annual income. Since life insurance is only for the short-term, you should only buy term life insurance.

What happens if I outlive my term life insurance?

If you outlive your term life insurance, the policy simply expires, and coverage ends with no payout (unless you have a specific Return of Premium rider), but you can often convert it to a permanent policy, renew it (at a higher cost), or buy a new policy to continue protection. Since term insurance covers a specific period, it's designed to end, and you're essentially outliving the "term" you needed it for. 

How much insurance do you get for $9.95 at Colonial Penn?

For $9.95 a month with Colonial Penn, you get one "unit" of Guaranteed Acceptance Whole Life insurance, but the coverage amount (death benefit) depends heavily on your age and gender, typically ranging from around $400-$2,000 per unit; the older you are, the less coverage you receive for the same $9.95 monthly cost, with benefits for seniors decreasing significantly as they age. 

How much is a $500,000 life insurance policy for a 60 year old man?

For a 60-year-old man, a $500,000 life insurance policy costs roughly $100 to over $200+ monthly for term life, depending on term length and health, while whole life can be $300-$450+ monthly, with better health and longer terms (like 20-year term) being more affordable than shorter terms or whole life. Expect higher rates for smokers or poor health, but always get personalized quotes for accurate pricing. 

Why doesn't Dave Ramsey like life insurance?

For every $100 you invest in whole life insurance, the first $5 goes to purchasing the insurance itself; the other $95 goes to the cash value buildup from your investment, Ramsey says. But for about the first three years, your money goes to fees alone. Someone is making out, and it's not your beneficiary.

What is Dave Ramsey's 8% retirement rule?

Dave Ramsey's 8% retirement rule suggests retirees invest 100% in stocks and withdraw 8% of their starting portfolio value in the first year, adjusting subsequent withdrawals for inflation, believing the market's historical 10-12% average returns cover this high withdrawal rate. This is a significant departure from the traditional 4% rule, but it's highly controversial, with many experts warning it exposes retirees to extreme risk, especially due to "sequence of returns risk," where early market downturns can deplete savings quickly, notes AOL.com and 24/7 Wall St.. 

What is the average 401k balance for a 65 year old?

For a 65-year-old, the average 401(k) balance is around $299,000, but the more representative median balance is significantly lower, at about $95,000, indicating many high savers pull the average up, with balances varying greatly by individual savings habits, income, and other retirement accounts. 

Why do the rich buy whole life insurance?

Whole life insurance isn't just for protection—it's a tool for building tax-free, multi-generational wealth. The wealthy use it to fund investments and pass down wealth using strategies like the Rockefeller family's “use, grow, and pass down” system.

Why is life insurance not a good investment?

Why is insurance not considered a good investment? Because its primary purpose is protection, not wealth creation. Most traditional plans yield only 4–6% p.a., which is inadequate to beat inflation over the long term.

Is it better to have whole life or term life insurance?

If you're on a budget and just want to provide coverage for your family, term life plans are often the most cost-effective option. On the other hand, if you're looking for lifelong protection with more investment potential, then whole life insurance may be a better choice.