Should a stay-at-home parent have a life insurance policy

When you die, your paychecks stop. So if you have someone who depends on you for financial support, it's likely you could justify having a life insurance policy. But what about a stay-at-home parent who doesn't bring home a paycheck? Should they also have a life insurance policy?

A stay-at-home parent's worth

When you consider all the duties a stay-at-home parent performs (childcare, managing finances, cooking and cleaning), the costs associated with hiring outside help to takeover this role might surprise you. In fact, according to Salary.com, the average salary of a stay-at-home parent should be at least $184,820 according to their 2021 survey.¹

What you need to know

Just because a stay-at-home parent isn't receiving a paycheck, doesn't mean that their household contributions aren't substantial. If you were to die unexpectedly, your surviving stay-at-home spouse would most likely be forced to hire outside help. A life insurance policy can help you cover the costs associated with household responsibilities, and help fund future expenses as well. The following are just a few considerations for buying a life insurance policy for a stay-at-home parent, and how a life insurance policy can help.

The cost of childcare

The average cost of having a child in a daycare center is $321/week, which exceeds the cost of in-state college tuition.²  Even if you have older children, after school care can be over $292 per week per child.³ Having a life insurance policy could help cover these costs without taking a big chunk out of the family budget or draining savings and retirement accounts. 

Funding their college education

According to the College Board's Annual Survey, the average cost of in-state college tuition and fees in 2023-2024 is $11,260, and for private colleges, $41,540.⁴ A life insurance policy insuring the life of a stay-at-home parent could even help with the growing costs of a quality education should your family experience such a loss. Moreover, your children could graduate with little or even no debt thanks to thoughtful parents who planned ahead.

Leaving an inheritance

You want to give your children so much in life. And being there to share it with them makes it that much better. But when one parent dies, there remains a void. And while nothing can take your place, a life insurance policy can leave your children with a loving gift to help them with a down payment on their first home purchase or to fund a dream wedding.

 

Sources:

1. Salary.com, How much is a mom really worth?" May 2021.
2. Care.com, "This is how much child care costs in 2025," January 29, 2025.
3. Care.com, "This is how much child care costs in 2025," January 29, 2025.
4. College Board, "Trends in College Pricing 2023," November 2023.

 

 

WEB.1432.04.15