With your wedding vows come new responsibilities, including financial obligations. Life insurance for married couples is all about providing security for your loved ones well into the future. A sound financial plan for any family should include adequate life insurance.

That’s true whether it’s just the two of you, you have children, you're newlyweds or you’re celebrating double-digit anniversaries. It can be difficult to think about what could happen if you or your spouse weren’t around, but there are compelling reasons to do just that.

Life insurance when you're just starting out
Even before you start a family, having a plan that includes life insurance is important. If you or your spouse should die prematurely, how would the other carry on financially? Many families count on two paychecks to cover the mortgage and other expenses. If one of you dies prematurely, could the other continue to make payments alone? When you're married and have taken on financial obligations together, that debt doesn't die with you. Life insurance benefits can eliminate the worry about paying final expenses, or keeping the mortgage or other debt payments current.

For young newlyweds, purchasing life insurance while you are young and healthy can put you in a great position when you decide to buy a house or start a family. Why? Because you lock in the best rates and secure your insurability. Purchasing coverage while you are young eliminates the worry of qualifying for coverage when you are older and possibly not as healthy. There are other potential benefits as well. Some types of permanent life insurance provide protection while building cash value that can be borrowed¹ against for emergencies, or to make a down payment on a home, pay for college, meet medical expenses or even purchase a business.

If you have group life insurance through your employer, make sure the coverage is enough to cover the worst-case scenario. A Farm Bureau agent can help you with this analysis.

Affordable protection for your family
When children are part of your family, life insurance becomes even more important. A family that loses a mother or father also can lose their home, child care and much more if the death creates a financial hardship. The right life insurance policy can ensure that your children will be provided for from the time they are small through college age or their lifetime, depending on the policy.

Don't underestimate the value of having a life insurance policy for a stay-at-home parent. Life insurance benefits could mean that the contributions that parents make to the household ― child care, house cleaning, transportation and more ― continue.

When you're married, a sound life insurance plan can bring the peace of mind that comes from knowing your loved ones are protected. As your family circumstances change, it's a good idea to review your life insurance plan. Ask a local Farm Bureau agent how different types of life insurance can create an affordable plan that protects your family.

¹Any loans from the policy’s cash value will reduce the policy’s cash value and death benefit if the borrowed funds, plus interest, are not repaid by time of death.