Free Educational Tool

How much life insurance might you need?

A quick estimate using the widely-used DIME method — Debt, Income, Mortgage, Education. This is an educational starting point, not a quote or recommendation.

Enter your numbers

Your situation

All estimates. Round figures are fine. Nothing is sent anywhere — this runs entirely in your browser.

Debts to pay off Credit cards, car loans, personal loans (exclude mortgage)

Mortgage balance Remaining balance you'd want paid off

Annual income to replace Your yearly income before tax

Years of income to replace How many years should that income continue?

Education fund Estimated future education costs for children

Final expenses Funeral and end-of-life costs (often $10k–$20k)

Existing savings & assets Liquid savings/investments that could offset the need

Existing life insurance Coverage you already have (e.g., through work)

Estimated coverage to consider

Enter your numbers above to see an estimate.

Debts	$0
Mortgage	$0
Income replacement	$0
Education fund	$0
Final expenses	$0
Less: savings & existing coverage	–$0
Estimated need	$0

This is an educational estimate, not a quote, recommendation, or financial advice. The DIME method is a common rule-of-thumb and does not account for your full financial picture, taxes, inflation, Social Security survivor benefits, a spouse's income, or your specific goals. Your actual coverage need — and the right type of policy — should be determined in a personalized conversation with a licensed agent. No information entered here is collected or transmitted.

Discuss the numbers in a consultation

About This Method

What is the DIME method?

DIME is a widely-used framework for estimating life insurance needs. It adds up four things your policy might need to cover, then subtracts what you already have:

D — Debt: Non-mortgage debts your family would otherwise inherit the burden of.

I — Income: Years of your income your household would need to replace to maintain their standard of living.

M — Mortgage: The remaining mortgage balance, so your family can stay in the home.

E — Education: Future education costs for children.

From that total, existing savings and any life insurance you already have are subtracted, since those reduce the gap. It's a solid starting point — but it's a rule of thumb, not a financial plan. The right answer depends on details a calculator can't capture, which is exactly what a no-pressure conversation is for.

Want your real number, not a rule of thumb?

A short conversation accounts for the things this calculator can't — taxes, a spouse's income, Social Security survivor benefits, your goals. Free, no obligation.

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