September’s Secret (And No, It’s Not Pumpkin Spice)

Every September, while the buzz of football season and fall flavors takes over East Tennessee, there’s another important observance you may not have heard of: Life Insurance Awareness Month (LIAM).

It isn’t exactly headline news, but it matters. LIAM is a nationwide effort to get families thinking seriously about life insurance: how it works, why it matters, and how to avoid leaving loved ones vulnerable if the unexpected happens.

At Legacy Life Planning here in Johnson City, we like to look beyond the brochures. What do real families worry about? Where are people confused? And how can those concerns be addressed in a way that makes sense for everyday life in our community?

Why Do We Even Have a Life Insurance Awareness Month?

The truth is simple: too many people are uninsured or underinsured. For many families, that gap can turn a personal tragedy into a financial one.

Life insurance isn’t just for the wealthy or the elderly—it’s designed to cover the basics that matter most:

Mortgage or rent payments
Household bills and everyday living expenses
College tuition or childcare costs
Outstanding debts like car loans or credit cards

LIAM exists to counter the powerful force of procrastination—“I’ll get to it later.” It’s a reminder that planning ahead is an act of love and responsibility.

What People Really Think About Life Insurance

If you head online, you’ll find plenty of everyday people talking openly about life insurance. And while the details vary, a few common themes come up again and again:

For the family: Once you have children or dependents, coverage is often seen as non-negotiable.
Debt protection: Policies help ensure your spouse or kids don’t inherit a mortgage or other burdens.
Income replacement: Life insurance provides stability by covering living costs if the primary earner is gone.
Surprisingly affordable: Many assume coverage is out of reach, but simple policies are often less expensive than a monthly streaming subscription or cell phone plan.
Don’t rely only on employer coverage: Job changes or layoffs can leave families unprotected. Independent policies offer lasting security.
The sooner, the better: Younger and healthier applicants lock in the best rates—and avoid regret later.

Term vs. Whole Life: A Johnson City Perspective

One of the biggest points of confusion comes down to choosing between term life and whole life (or other permanent policies).

Term life is affordable and straightforward. It provides coverage for a set period—ideal for protecting your family during the years when expenses like a mortgage or college tuition are highest.
Whole life goes beyond insurance. It offers lifelong protection and a built-in cash value component that can be used for broader financial strategies, such as:
- Building supplemental retirement income
- Covering estate taxes or passing on wealth tax-efficiently
- Serving as an additional layer of financial flexibility for emergencies or opportunities

At Legacy Life Planning, we believe both term and whole life have a place—the key is knowing when and how to use them as part of an overall strategy. For many families, the right mix provides not just protection, but long-term financial strength.

Common Pain Points Families Share

Even when people understand the importance of life insurance, barriers remain:

The perception that it’s expensive (when it often isn’t).
Confusion from jargon and complex policy language.
Regret from waiting too long and facing higher premiums.
Frustration with pushy sales tactics instead of clear guidance.

At Legacy Life Planning, we hear these concerns all the time. Our approach is to strip away the complexity, explain options in plain language, and build a plan that feels right for your unique situation.

What’s Next for Life Insurance?

The industry is slowly modernizing. New tools—from health tracking devices that could lower premiums to digital platforms that simplify underwriting—are emerging. But at its core, life insurance will always come down to one thing: protecting the people you love most.

A Local Nudge from Legacy Life Planning

If you’ve been putting it off, consider this your reminder. Here’s a quick checklist to get started:

Figure out who depends on your income and what expenses they would face without it.
Calculate how much coverage you need, factoring in debts, childcare, education, and everyday bills.
Explore both term and whole life options—and how they can complement each other.
Don’t wait—your future self (and family) will thank you for acting sooner rather than later.
Review regularly, especially after big life events like marriage, a new baby, or buying a home.

Final Thought

Life Insurance Awareness Month isn’t about scare tactics—it’s about preparation. Here in Johnson City, we believe the best way to care for your family is to plan for both the expected and the unexpected.

At Legacy Life Planning, we’re here to help you cut through the confusion, understand your options, and create a strategy that not only protects your loved ones, but also supports your long-term financial goals.