What happens to my life insurance if I take a career break?

A career break — whether for childcare, caregiving, education, or personal reasons — does not affect an existing individual life insurance policy as long as premiums continue to be paid. Your coverage remains exactly as issued, regardless of your employment status.

For employer group life insurance, however, a career break creates a gap. When you leave your employer, group coverage typically ends. You may have a conversion right to purchase an individual policy without new underwriting within 31 days of leaving — which is valuable if your health has changed during your career.

For women taking career breaks who do not yet have individual coverage, this is an important time to establish it. Your income from your working years may justify a specific coverage amount, and your health today may be better than it will be after years of caregiving demands.

Coverage amount during a career break can be calculated based on the economic value of your household contributions (caregiving, management) rather than solely on a paycheck. Agents in our network can help you calculate an appropriate benefit and explain how carriers evaluate non-employment contributions. Actual premiums vary by carrier, age, health status, and coverage amount.