A legacy is not just about what we accomplish during our lifetime — it is also about what we leave behind for the people we love. For most of us, that legacy begins much closer to home: making sure our families will be financially secure if we are no longer there to provide for them.

Planning for the future is not always easy, especially with the demands we face today: raising children, working full time or going to school, managing everyday expenses, caring for our own health, and for many, supporting aging relatives.

Yet the need to plan is real. A recent study found that more than 40% of U.S. households say they don’t have adequate financial resources to protect their children if the primary wage earner were to die.

The Role of Life Insurance

One of the most effective ways to provide that protection is life insurance. It is an important and often affordable tool for safeguarding the people we love and helping provide financial security for the future. Life insurance can replace lost income, pay a mortgage, fund a child’s education, and provide stability when families are already facing tremendous emotional loss.

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month, making it a good time to take a fresh look at whether your financial safety net is strong enough to protect your family’s dreams and build lasting legacies. Start the conversation with your spouse or partner, then talk to a qualified life insurance professional about options that may be appropriate for your circumstances.

Impact in Illinois

The impact of life insurance is significant in Illinois. Life insurers paid $5.62 billion in benefits to Illinois families in 2024. Nearly 6 million Illinois residents already have some life insurance coverage, with an average death benefit of approximately $171,000.

Life insurance is ultimately about more than a policy or financial product. It is about protecting the people who depend on you and preserving the plans you have made for their future. It ensures that the legacy you have worked so hard to build can continue, even when life takes an unexpected turn.

— Laura Minzer, President, Illinois Life & Health Insurance Council