Who Depends on This Paycheck?

Think about the people, the bills, and anyone else who leans on this paycheck.

Your spouse or partner, who would still have to keep the household running.

Children who count on this income.

Any other beneficiaries who rely on your income.

The house payment, rent, property taxes, or co-op / HOA that still comes due.

A business that depends on you.

Group Life and Disability Income Coverage

Some people may lean on the life and disability income coverage that comes with the job. That may help. It can also change when the job changes.

You can put your hands on the group life certificate, or you know who in Human Resources can send it.

You know whether work offers short-term and long-term disability income coverage.

You know the group life amount.

You know if that amount is a flat number or a multiple of salary.

You know when group life stops: a job change, fewer hours, a leave, or retirement.

You know whether any of it can travel with you if you leave or retire.

You know if a spouse, children, or anyone else is covered on that certificate.

Individual Life Insurance You Already Own

If you already own term, whole life, or another policy, set it next to the group certificate. Some private life insurance policies may contain living benefits that group coverage usually does not.¹

You have a recent statement for any life policy you bought on your own.

You know the benefit and who owns the policy.

You know if it is term that will run out, or coverage meant to stay in force.

You know whether any private policy includes living benefits that group coverage usually does not.

You know what would still be there if the work coverage ended tomorrow.

¹ Living benefits, if the policy includes them and if you qualify, may allow access to a portion of the death benefit while you are living. Living benefits may be provided by riders, which are supplemental benefits that can be added to a life insurance policy and are not suitable unless you also have a need for life insurance. Riders are optional, may require additional premium and may not be available in all states or on all products. This is not a guarantee of any benefit. Source: Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Commission, Group Term Life Insurance Uniform Standards for Accelerated Death Benefits, IIPRC-L-04-G-AccelDB (adopted Oct. 24, 2024; effective Feb. 10, 2025).

Paycheck Protection if You Cannot Work

Disability income coverage is the paycheck protection some households may not consider. The certificate can tell you how much you would receive toward the bills if you could not work.

Work offers short-term disability income coverage.

Work offers long-term disability income coverage.

You know the waiting period before a disability income check would start.

You know the percentage of pay it would replace, and whether that is base pay only.

You know how long the long-term benefit can last.

You know how the certificate describes being unable to work.

You know what happens to group life while you are out.

Your household has a way to cover bills during that waiting period.

Why Group Coverage Is Not the Whole Picture

Group coverage can help. It can also change when you change jobs, cut hours, or retire. Some of it ends. Some of it can move with you.

What to Bring · Questions for Human Resources

Helpful Resources

Open the Guide: Income Replacement Strategies

Open the Checklist: Life Insurance Checklist

Complimentary 10-Minute Checkup

Book the Checkup on Calendly

Atlas VirtualWealth

Open the Questions: Questions to Ask at Your Financial Review

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this checklist a product recommendation?

No. This checklist is educational. It is not an offer, a solicitation, or a recommendation of any specific insurance policy, security, or strategy. Benefits, riders, and conversion privileges vary by certificate and policy. Review the actual contract language.

Do I have to bring papers to the checkup?

No papers yet? You can still start. If you have a group life certificate, a group disability income certificate, or a recent statement for a policy you bought on your own, bring it to the complimentary 10-minute checkup or an Atlas VirtualWealth session.

What is disability income coverage?

Disability income coverage is paycheck protection. The certificate can tell you how much you would receive toward the bills if you could not work, how long you would wait, and how the certificate describes being unable to work. Group coverage can change when the job changes.

How do I book a complimentary checkup?

Book a complimentary 10-minute checkup in Hauppauge or by secure video. Call (631) 389-2358, voice only. Text (631) 904-0901 to request a time. You can also start from the life and disability checkup page or book the time on Calendly.