A recent study suggests that poverty contributes to decreased life expectancy. This makes a life insurance policy all the more vital to families with limited incomes.
It may not come as a complete surprise to be told that well-off people tend to live longer than poor; unemployment, poor diet, and lack of leisure time play a part in increasing stress and decreasing quality of life for low earners. What is startling however is just how big a life expectancy gap there may be between the two groups.
Income Inequality Results in a Life Expectancy Differences
Researchers at Statistics Canada recently attempted to analyze the effect poverty vs. affluence or ‘income disparity’ has on life expectancy. The findings, based on data gathered in Canada, were published recently in the journal Health Reports and make for disquieting reading: Figures show that on average only 54% of men from the lowest income group (bottom 10%) have a life expectancy of 75 years of age, compared with 74% of top earners. For women, 69.4.% of the least well-off can be expected to reach the age of 75, as opposed to 84.4% of the wealthiest women.
Life Insurance often not a Priority for those on a Low Income
Falling into the poverty trap also brings other complications – due to a lack of funds less affluent people often fail to take out adequate life insurance – insurance which would help family enormously in the event of their death. However there are lots of cheap life insurance deals on the market (most are available through low-cost, term life insurance) which low earners can take advantage of to help safeguard their future.
Life Insurance is a good Option for those on a Limited Income
While the super wealthy usually have numerous investments and portfolios to protect their futures people in low income brackets still need to plan ahead – and taking out a life insurance policy is a good tax efficient option. The sooner life insurance is set up, the better the rates on the premiums – since the older a person is the higher risk they will be to an insurer.
It’s also important to remember that no matter how much a person earns, lifestyle choices also play a big part in determining how healthy they stay and how long they will live – making the decision to give up smoking for instance will not only put more money in the pocket but significantly reduce the cost of life insurance.
Source
Andre Picard in ‘Globe and Mail’ Nov 2009
photo credit: woodleywonderworks