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Brennan Financial Group · Hockessin, DE

Life insurance planning in Hockessin, Delaware.

Help protect the people who depend on you.

Life insurance starts with a practical question: how would the people you love manage financially without you? We help you consider your responsibilities, existing coverage, and the options that may fit your financial plan.

Schedule a coverage review Try the coverage estimator

A father and child planting flowers together

Who may need life insurance?

Consider the people and responsibilities behind the numbers.

Parents and growing families

Coverage may help with living expenses, childcare, and future education costs. A parent who provides unpaid care also contributes real financial value: replacing that help could change a family’s budget.

Couples sharing expenses

If a spouse or partner depends on your income, consider how housing, debt payments, and everyday expenses would be covered. Two incomes do not automatically mean either person could comfortably manage alone.

People with ongoing commitments

Supporting relatives, sharing a business, or leaving funds for final expenses may create a coverage need. If no one depends on you and available assets cover your goals, your need may be smaller.

When a review matters

Your coverage should keep up with your life.

A mother and adult daughter spending time together outdoors

Marriage, children, or a new home

New responsibilities can change how much support your household would need and how long it may be needed. Review beneficiaries as well as the coverage amount.

A job change or retirement

Employer coverage may change or end when you leave a job. Check the plan’s terms, any continuation options, and deadlines before relying on that protection.

Divorce or a change in family needs

Revisit policy ownership, beneficiaries, and financial commitments. Where a divorce agreement or other legal obligation is involved, coordinate changes with your attorney.

A policy nearing the end of its term

Review renewal costs, conversion provisions, and any remaining coverage need before the policy expires. Age, health, and underwriting may affect new coverage options.

Understanding policy types

Term and permanent life insurance serve different needs.

Start with the purpose, the length of time coverage is needed, and a premium you can sustain.

Term life insurance

Provides coverage for a set period and generally has no cash value. It often costs less initially than permanent coverage for a comparable death benefit. Review the term length and what happens to premiums and coverage when it ends.

Whole life insurance

A form of permanent insurance with cash value and typically fixed premiums. Guarantees depend on the contract and required premiums being paid. Premiums are generally higher than term coverage; dividends, if offered, are not guaranteed.

Universal life insurance

Permanent coverage that may offer flexibility in premiums or death benefits. Funding, policy charges, interest credits, and contract provisions affect how it performs. Review illustrations and ongoing funding needs carefully; insufficient funding can cause coverage to lapse.

Other variations include indexed and variable universal life. Features, risks, fees, and guarantees differ. Variable policies involve investment risk and can lose value. Policy availability and suitability depend on your circumstances; no policy type is right for everyone.

Discuss your coverage options

A simple starting point

How much life insurance might you need?

Estimate a potential coverage gap using the expenses your household would still face, the income that would remain, and the years you want to provide support.

All dollar amounts are in U.S. dollars. Starting values are examples, not recommendations. This calculator does not send your entries to our office.

Your current age

Provide household support through age Your age at the end of the support period. This is not a life expectancy estimate or a recommended policy term.

Spouse or partner to include?

Their monthly take-home income ($) Only income expected to continue and be available for these expenses.

Monthly expenses survivors would need covered ($) Include childcare or household help that would need replacing. If you add a debt payoff below, exclude that debt’s payments here.

Number of dependent children

Adjust savings, existing insurance, and one-time needs

Additional fund per child ($) Example: education or another future goal. The $25,000 starting value is only a placeholder, not a college cost estimate. Enter 0 if not needed.

Mortgage and other debts to pay off ($)

Final expenses and other one-time costs ($) Illustrative starting value; replace with your own estimate.

Savings available for these needs ($) Exclude assets needed for other goals or not readily available.

Existing life insurance available ($) Use coverage expected to remain in force for these needs.

Enter your information, then calculate.

Educational estimate only. The calculation multiplies the monthly expense gap by 12 and the selected support years, adds child funds, debts, and final expenses, then subtracts available savings and existing coverage. It assumes an immediate loss of the insured person and constant expenses and remaining income throughout that period. It does not model inflation, investment returns, taxes, survivor benefits, changing child needs, underwriting, or policy costs. Age is used only to determine the selected support period. This is not a quote, a recommended policy amount or term, or individualized financial or insurance advice. Seek guidance from a qualified financial or insurance professional before purchasing or changing coverage.

Before you choose a policy

Ask about the details that affect you.

How long do I need coverage, and is the premium affordable over that period?
Which values and premiums are guaranteed, and which can change?
What exclusions, limitations, charges, or optional rider costs apply?
What happens if I stop paying, take a policy loan, or surrender the policy?
How does this compare with the insurance I already have?

Bring current policies, employer benefit information, and beneficiary details to a review. Before replacing coverage, understand any new underwriting, surrender charges, and policy provisions. Keep existing protection in place until replacement coverage is confirmed in force.

Common life insurance questions

A clearer starting point.

Is life insurance through work enough?

Compare the benefit with your family’s needs and check what happens if you change jobs or retire. Employer coverage can be useful, but the amount and continuation options depend on the plan.

Does a stay-at-home parent need coverage?

Potentially. Childcare, transportation, and household responsibilities may require paid help if that parent dies. Consider those replacement costs, even when there is no salary to replace.

Do I still need life insurance after retirement?

It depends on the needs that remain. A spouse’s income, debts, dependents, final expenses, and legacy goals may still matter. Available savings and existing coverage also affect the decision.

Is term life always the better choice?

No single type fits everyone. A temporary need, a lifelong commitment, budget, and contract features can lead to different choices. Compare the purpose and costs before choosing a policy.

Does this calculator tell me what a policy will cost?

No. It estimates a potential financial gap. Premiums and eligibility depend on the insurer, coverage type, age, health, underwriting, and other factors. An estimate is not approval for coverage.

Hockessin · Wilmington · Newark

Local guidance, with convenient ways to meet.

Meet at our Hockessin office, request an in-home visit, or schedule a virtual appointment. Contact us to discuss availability for your location. Afterhours Appointments Upon Request.

Our broader financial planning relationships include clients in Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, North Carolina, Florida, Maine, and West Virginia. Virtual meetings help snowbird clients stay connected when away. Insurance availability varies by state, insurer, and professional licensing; contact us about your location.

NAIC life insurance consumer guide · SEC guide to variable life insurance

Let’s talk

Let’s review what you want to protect.

Meet in Hockessin, request an in-home visit, or schedule a virtual appointment. Bring your questions about existing coverage, family needs, or policy options.

Call 302-655-8361 Email our office Get directions

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