Is Life Insurance Through Work Enough for Your Family?

The Warner Agency · October 1, 2026 · Cos Cob, Connecticut

At a glance

Workplace life insurance is a useful starting point. Whether it is enough depends on the benefit, how long it remains available, and the responsibilities your household would still have.

Start with the actual benefit

Find the benefit statement rather than relying on a remembered multiple of salary. Write down the current amount, who is insured, and the named beneficiaries. Ask your benefits administrator whether bonuses are included, whether the amount changes with age, and what optional coverage you already elected. Review each adult separately.

Ask what happens when employment changes

Before a job change, leave or retirement, request the plan’s written continuation rules. Ask whether you can keep coverage, whether conversion is available, what it would cost, and which deadlines apply. Do not assume an individual policy is in place because you requested a quote. Confirm any new coverage before making changes to existing protection.

Compare the benefit with your household’s responsibilities

For a Greenwich family with a mortgage and young children, the mortgage balance is only one line on the list. Consider how much ongoing household spending would need support, childcare or other replacement services, education goals and other debts. Subtract resources that would realistically be available. Include the contribution of a parent who does not earn a salary.

Use two views of your existing coverage

For planning, list individually owned coverage separately from workplace benefits. Our worksheet lets you compare the same household needs with and without the workplace benefit. The difference is a discussion point, not a recommendation to replace employer coverage. Check the actual plan documents and the remaining term of any individual policy.

Bring these details to a local review

Have your workplace benefit statement, individual policy amounts and expiration dates, approximate household obligations, and a comfortable premium budget available. Our team serves Greenwich, Cos Cob, Old Greenwich and Riverside from one Cos Cob office. We can help organize a review by phone without requiring you to enter medical history on the website.

Questions people ask

Should I cancel my workplace life insurance?

This guide does not recommend canceling it. Compare your benefits and household needs first, and confirm any new coverage before changing existing protection.

Can I keep coverage when I change jobs?

Check your plan’s written rules with the benefits administrator. Continuation options, deadlines and cost depend on the plan.