Help clients kick off the year with impactful new year financial resolutions

The start of a new year is a natural time for reflection and goal-setting. For many, it’s a time to focus on improving health, not only physically, but financially as well. Improved finances are the second-most popular resolution after improving fitness.¹ 

This time of New Year’s resolutions presents a perfect opportunity to have conversations with clients and guide them toward a more secure future. By framing life insurance as a key tool for achieving their goals, you can start meaningful conversations that resonate with their aspirations.

Resolution 1: “I want to build a strong financial foundation.”

For many clients, especially younger ones or those just starting families, “getting their finances in order” is a top priority. This often involves creating a budget, starting an emergency fund, and developing a long-term savings plan. While these are excellent first steps, a solid financial foundation isn’t just about saving and investing; it’s also about protection. 

How to connect this resolution to life insurance: 

• Protecting income: Explain that their ability to earn an income is one of their most valuable assets. Life insurance can help replace some of that lost income, helping their family cover bills and daily expenses if the unexpected happens. 

• Securing the emergency fund: An emergency fund is designed for unexpected events like a job loss or a major car repair. It’s not designed to support a family for years. Life insurance could help prevent loved ones from having to deplete their savings to cover final expenses or longer-term needs. 

• A safety net for debt: Do your clients have a mortgage or student debt? A life insurance policy could provide the funds to pay off these obligations, so they aren’t passed on to a spouse or co-signer.  

Resolution 2: “I want to save for my children’s future.”

Parents are always thinking about their children’s well-being. Resolutions often center on saving for college, a first car, a wedding, or even a down payment on a future home. They are planning for milestones decades away, which shows they have a long-term mindset. 

While they hope they’ll never need it, life insurance can help provide support for these milestones if the unexpected happens. 

• Supporting future goals: Life insurance can help provide the funds for college or other major life events. A death benefit can be used to fund a 529 plan, a trust, or other educational savings vehicles. 

• More than just college: It’s not just about tuition. A policy can provide funds to help cover the costs of raising a child—from daycare and sports to braces and summer camps.  

• Affordability when young: If you’re talking to young parents, now is a good time to emphasize the cost-effectiveness of term life insurance. Securing a policy when they are young and healthy is often more affordable as they can lock in lower rates for 20 or 30 years of coverage until their children are financially independent. 

Resolution 3: “I want to leave a legacy for my family.”

Some clients think beyond their own lifetime. They may dream of leaving an inheritance, supporting a favorite charity, or ensuring their family business continues for generations. This desire to create a lasting impact is a powerful motivator. 

Life insurance is one of the most efficient and effective tools for helping with legacy planning. 

• Creating an instant estate: For clients who may not have significant assets, a life insurance policy can create an immediate, tax-free inheritance for their heirs. Equalizing inheritances: What if a client has an illiquid asset, like a family business or a piece of property, that they want to leave to one child? A life insurance policy could provide a cash equivalent to other children, ensuring the inheritance is distributed fairly without needing to sell the primary asset. 
• Business succession planning: For business owners, a “buy-sell agreement” funded by life insurance could provide funds for a business partner to buy out the deceased owner’s share, helping smooth that transition.

Resolution 4: “I want to build a tax-efficient portfolio.”

Thinking about how taxes might impact financial plans down the road is a concern that can be overlooked. Remind clients, life insurance offers advantages, such as: 

• Tax-free death benefit: Unlike many assets, the payout from a life insurance policy typically goes to beneficiaries income tax-free. That means loved ones can use those funds without worrying about a surprise tax bill. 

• Supplemental tax-advantaged income: Some permanent life insurance policies allow for borrowing against the cash value, potentially giving access to funds without immediate tax consequences. This can be a useful financial lever—but offer caution, as loans and withdrawals can reduce the policy’s value and death benefit. 

• Protecting estate value: If the estate may be subject to taxes, life insurance could provide liquidity to pay those obligations, helping heirs avoid selling off cherished assets under pressure. 

Start the conversation today

Your clients are already thinking about their financial futures. By aligning your conversations with their existing goals, you can demystify life insurance and show them its true value. It’s not just another expense; it’s a foundational tool for achieving their most important resolutions. 

Ready to help your clients build a more secure 2026? Use these resolutions as a starting point to enhance your client offerings and provide the guidance they need. A simple conversation today can secure a family’s tomorrow. If you need support or resources to start these discussions, don’t hesitate to reach out.