Question 1

Should I buy life insurance at 30 if I'm not married or don't have kids yet?

Accepted Answer

It's worth modeling your likely future scenario rather than waiting. If you expect to marry or have children within 5-10 years, a long-term policy (25-30 years) sized to that future need, bought now, locks in your 30s rate instead of whatever rate applies when that future actually arrives — typically meaningfully higher.

Question 2

Is my employer's life insurance enough at this point?

Accepted Answer

For most people, no. Group plans are commonly capped at 1-2x salary or a flat amount like $50,000, well short of the 10x+ income many people need once they have dependents. It also typically ends if you leave the job, so an individual policy that travels with you is usually worth having alongside it.

Question 3

How much should I have saved by 30?

Accepted Answer

There's no single universal number since it depends heavily on income and location, but a commonly cited benchmark is roughly 1x your annual salary in retirement savings by 30. More important than hitting an exact figure is having a fully funded emergency fund (3-6 months of expenses) and capturing your full employer 401(k) match.

Question 4

Do I need a will at 30 if I don't have kids?

Accepted Answer

Yes, especially if you're unmarried with a partner, or have specific wishes for who inherits what. Without a will, state intestacy law decides — which in many states gives an unmarried partner nothing, regardless of your relationship length or shared finances.

Question 5

What's the difference between this and the "In Your 30s" guide?

Accepted Answer

This page is a focused checklist triggered by turning 30 specifically — modeling future insurance needs and locking in basics. The In Your 30s guide covers the full decade in more depth, including mortgage protection and disability insurance once you actually take on a home or have children. Many people start here and move to the fuller guide as those events approach.

Question 6

How much life insurance should I model for a future I don't have yet?

Accepted Answer

A reasonable approach: estimate a spouse's likely income dependency, a typical starter-home mortgage in your area, and rough education costs for an assumed number of children, then run that total through the Human Life Value calculation. It won't be exact, but it gives you a realistic target to price a long-term policy against today.

Turning 30 Financial Planning

Why This Matters

Your 5-Step Plan

Model Your Likely Future Coverage Need

Guidance

Action Checklist

Calculate Now

Check Your Group Life Insurance Limits

Build Toward a Full Emergency Fund

Increase Retirement Contributions With Your Income

Put Basic Estate Documents in Place

Frequently Asked Questions

Your Checklist