End-of-Year Financial Checklist: Have You Reviewed Your Life Insurance?
December 16, 2025
As another year comes to a close, it’s natural to reflect on the changes and challenges you’ve faced. Whether you welcomed a new family member, paid off debt, or moved into a new home, these milestones can shift your long-term financial needs, too. That’s why your year-end financial review should include one important question: Have you reviewed your life insurance?
Your life insurance is a promise to protect your loved ones and a tool to provide stability when they need it most. As your life evolves, your policy must keep up.
Why Life Insurance Belongs on Your Year-End Checklist
In the rush of budgeting, taxes, and retirement planning, life insurance is often left on the back burner. But overlooking it can leave your family exposed to risk. Have you recently:
- Gotten married or divorced?
- Had a child or grandchild?
- Bought a house or taken on new debt?
- Changed jobs or income levels?
- Started thinking seriously about retirement?
These are all signs it’s time to take a fresh look at your life insurance. Reviewing your policy doesn’t necessarily mean making changes. It means confirming that the coverage you have still matches the life you’re living.
What To Look For When Reviewing Your Policy
A good policy should reflect your priorities today — not the life you were living five, 10, or 20 years ago.
Here are a few key areas to evaluate:
- Beneficiaries: Are your designated beneficiaries still accurate? This is especially important after major life events.
- Coverage amount: Does your current death benefit still meet your family’s financial needs, including mortgage payments, education savings, and daily living expenses?
- Policy type: 1891 Financial Life offers both term life and whole life insurance options. Term life provides coverage for a set period and may be ideal for temporary needs, while whole life offers lifelong protection and builds cash value over time.
- New responsibilities: If your financial picture has changed — perhaps you’re caring for aging parents or supporting adult children — it may be time to adjust your coverage.
For more on how life insurance supports long-term planning, visit our guide to successful estate planning.
Don’t Forget the Fraternal Difference
At 1891 Financial Life, life insurance is only the beginning. As a not-for-profit fraternal benefit society, we offer something more: a community committed to your well-being. Our members gain access to educational scholarships, volunteer programs, social events, and other meaningful benefits that go beyond traditional coverage.
Choosing us means joining a values-driven organization that reinvests in the communities we serve. It’s this difference that sets us apart from conventional insurance companies.
Start the New Year With Confidence
Making time for a life insurance review is a powerful act of care. It reassures that your coverage aligns with your current needs and that your loved ones are protected, regardless of what the future holds.
If you’re unsure where to start, connect with us today. At 1891 Financial Life, we specialize in providing tailored insurance solutions that cater to diverse needs and requirements. Our team is equipped to help you navigate these challenges with expertise and compassion. Contact us today for personalized assistance and to explore your options.
FAQ About Life Insurance Reviews
Why should you review your life insurance at the end of the year?
The end of the year is a natural time to assess financial priorities. Reviewing your life insurance ensures that it still aligns with your current life stage, family needs, and financial responsibilities.
What happens if I don’t update my life insurance?
If your coverage is outdated, your loved ones may not receive the financial support they need when it matters most. It could also mean missed opportunities to enhance your policy or access additional benefits.
How often should I review my policy?
Experts recommend reviewing your life insurance annually or after major life events. Even if no changes are needed, the review offers peace of mind.
What makes 1891 Financial Life different from other providers?
Unlike traditional insurance companies, 1891 Financial Life is a fraternal benefit society. That means we prioritize people over profits and offer community-focused benefits alongside comprehensive financial protection.
About 1891 Financial Life
Our culture is about looking out for you, for others, for family, for the community. That is how we go “Beyond Life Insurance.”
At 1891 Financial Life, we don’t just sell policies, we offer possibilities. We pride ourselves on giving back to the communities that we serve by providing quality and comprehensive insurance solutions. We are a not-for-profit life insurance Society, which means the sales from these financial service products help fund member benefits, along with social, educational, and volunteer programs designed to respond to community needs. Our commitment to excellence has been recognized by Forbes, naming 1891 Financial Life among “The World’s Best Life Insurance Companies” in 2023 - and for the second time, as one of “America’s Best Life Insurance Companies,” ranking #1 in Term Life Insurance for 2026.
Our portfolio is extensive, ranging from various life insurance policies to our annuities to support your financial needs, no matter what stage of life you’re in.