The Harrises Are Proud Parents Of 8-Year-Old Twins ✓ Solved
The Harrises Are The Proud Parents Of 8 Year Old Twins They Have Deci
The Harrises are the proud parents of 8-year-old twins. They are evaluating whether Tom's current life insurance coverage is sufficient to meet the family's financial needs if Tom were to pass away unexpectedly. Tom is the primary breadwinner earning $45,000 annually, while Brandy earns $15,000 working part-time. Both previously purchased $135,000 policies when the twins were born. Now, with eight years elapsed, they need to reassess their insurance needs based on updated life circumstances and their financial goals.
The analysis begins by estimating the amount of income necessary for Brandy and the twins to maintain their standard of living, which they've identified as $45,000 per year for ten years. Additionally, they want to ensure that the twins' college education is fully funded and that their mortgage and other debts are paid off in full. To determine if Tom's current policy amount is adequate, we will analyze whether it can cover these financial goals, considering the family's current income, expenses, and liabilities.
Sample Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
Life insurance plays a crucial role in providing financial security for loved ones after an individual's unexpected demise. For the Harrises, a family with young twins and a change in circumstances since their initial policy purchase, it is essential to evaluate whether their current coverage aligns with their updated financial goals. This paper models the process of assessing life insurance needs, focusing on the Harrises’ situation, to determine if Tom's existing policy is sufficient or if additional coverage is necessary.
Understanding the Family's Financial Goals
The Harrises’ primary financial goals include maintaining their current standard of living, funding college education for the twins, and paying off all debts, including the mortgage. To assess whether Tom’s life insurance coverage meets these goals, it is essential to quantify these needs in monetary terms. The key components include:
- An annual income of $45,000 for ten years to support Brandy and the twins.
- Funding the twins’ college education fully, which will require estimating future college costs.
- Paying off the mortgage and other debts completely.
Calculating the Needed Income Replacement
Assuming Tom's sudden death at age 41, Brandy and the twins would need an income of $45,000 annually for ten years to cover living expenses, educational costs, and debt repayment. Typically, the present value of this income replacement is calculated using a discount rate to account for the time value of money and potential interest earnings. For simplicity, assuming a conservative discount rate of 3%, the present value (PV) of ten years of $45,000 income can be computed as follows:
PV = \$45,000 × (1 - (1 + r)^-n) / r
Where r = 0.03 and n = 10, leading to:
PV ≈ \$45,000 × (1 - (1 + 0.03)^-10) / 0.03 ≈ \$45,000 × 8.5302 ≈ \$384,859
This amount signifies the lump sum needed today to generate a $45,000 annual income for ten years.
Funding the College Education
Estimating college costs involves current tuition rates and inflation. Suppose the current annual cost of college education per child is approximately $25,000, with an expected annual inflation rate of 5%. Using the future value formula, the future cost per child in 10 years could be estimated, and then doubled to account for both twins:
Future college cost per child ≈ $25,000 × (1 + 0.05)^10 ≈ $25,000 × 1.6289 ≈ $40,723
Full education funding for both children would then total approximately $81,446. This amount should be accumulated in a college savings fund or through insurance planning.
Paying Off Debts
Since the family’s debt—including their mortgage—must be cleared upon Tom’s death, the current outstanding mortgage principal and other liabilities must be accounted for. Suppose their mortgage balance is approximately $150,000, and other debts sum to $10,000, the total debt payoff required would be $160,000.
Evaluating Existing Life Insurance Coverage
Tom currently owns a $135,000 policy. Comparing this coverage to the calculated needs:
- Income replacement need: approximately $385,000
- College funding: approximately $82,000
- Debt payoffs: approximately $160,000
Total estimated need: $385,000 + $82,000 + $160,000 = $627,000
Since Tom's current policy of $135,000 is significantly below the approximate $627,000 estimated requirement, it suggests that additional coverage is necessary to fully meet their financial goals.
Recommendations and Conclusion
Based on this analysis, it is clear that Tom's existing life insurance policy is insufficient. To adequately secure Brandy and the twins’ financial future, the family should consider increasing their life insurance coverage to at least the amount of $600,000, providing a financial safety net that covers income replacement, education funding, and debt repayment. Additionally, exploring different types of policies, such as term life or permanent life insurance, tailored to their specific needs, can optimize their financial planning.
Proper life insurance planning requires periodic reviews to adjust for changes in income, expenses, and financial goals. Engaging with a professional financial planner can help the Harrises develop a comprehensive strategy aligning their coverage with their family’s evolving needs.
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