Does being single require that different a financial plan?
It’s tough being single … at least when it comes to money.
Most financial plans tend to centre on milestones that have a lot more to do with couples than singles: Get married. Merge your financial lives. Buy a house. Have a child. Buy some insurance. Start saving for university — it’s a pretty traditional pattern.
But not everyone fits that template. What about those that don't have children? What about those that aren't married or otherwise attached?
Many singles are spenders, not savers, because they often don’t feel the same pressure to save as those with with children. After all, no kids means no university or wedding costs. But there are other financial pressures — not the least of which is having to juggle day to day expenses on one income, rather than two.
Just as with married couples, the older most singles get, the more assets they accumulate. And they’ve got an even greater need than a couple to put a plan in place that will protect what they've got and what they might make.
After all, there's no spouse who'll make up for some of your lost earnings if you get fired or become sick.
Assuming they have no dependants, the asset singles most need to protect is probably their earning ability. One way to do that is with a long-term disability plan, income-replacement insurance that provides a tax-free income in the event you can’t work because of injury or illness.
Extensive disability coverage is a perk that many employers don’t offer, however, or at least not at the level that higher-income earners might find useful. But it's one worth exploring, particularly if you're on your own.
Single or otherwise, have you considered buying LTD coverage? Have you had the misfortune to collect? How have things worked out?
By Gordon Powers, MSN Money
Posted by: Someone | Jan 11, 2022 12:59:29 AM
I broke my leg and had to go on the conpany insurance plan for six weeks. What a nightmare. I had to have this form and that form filled out by various medical people. Each costing me money to have filled out. It seemed I jumped through one hoop to another. I also had a loan payment insurance but good luck trying to get anything out of that. The whole insurance thing is sketchy.
Posted by: Someone who has lost faith | Jan 11, 2022 3:56:34 AM
I also had to deal with two insurance companies. I have had two brain injuries within a short period of time and had to deal 2 insurance companies. One was coverage for the first injury and the second for the later injury. They each said that my injury was caused by the other injury. They both ended up winning. Now, how is that fair? Couldnt cope or think properly or work because of my injury and I guess that is how the world works. Broke now.
Posted by: Louise | Jan 11, 2022 9:03:50 AM
You should not ask your insurance broker what is covered. Ask what your policy does NOT cover, this way you can make a better decision and maybe change your plan. Maybe what is not covered is what should be covered in your case. And get everything in writing, dated and signed by your broker, than staple it to your policy. Insurance is the only product/service we buy but don't really want to use... because using it means that you are going through rough times.
Posted by: concerned about someon who has lost fate | Jan 11, 2022 9:51:37 AM
In regards to someone who has lost fate, don't give up so easily. Depending on where you live, there are advocacy groups that help people with disabilities, which depending on how severe the injury you may qualify for. You should also be contacting CPP disability sooner rather than later with your injury if you already haven't. Many people miss out on services that may help them as they wait too long, due to all of the issues surrounding getting better. Start calling resources such as employment insurance, talk with councellors who may be able to put you in touch with the right resource. Good luck and don't give up!
Posted by: chris | Jan 11, 2022 4:29:12 PM
whoever wrote this has absolutely no idea on how to represent singles in terms of finance. In fact, I found this article to be so offensive I nearly cried. Nothing could be further from the truth that singles have more money to spend that couples do simply because they don't have children. A single person still has to finance a place to live on a single income and needs a vehicle to drive to and from work that takes gas and mileage just to get the one bread winner out there working, whereas two could be sharing the drive and vehicle in many cases.
There is a whole other chapter to this that if I were alotted the time and space, you`d soon regret this hideous account of so called representing the finances of singles
Posted by: Chrystalbell | Jan 11, 2022 8:07:06 PM
I am a single, and this article is ridiculous, having very little to do with the day-to-day financial challenges of living a single life. In fact, it sounds like it's pro-disability-insurance.
With the right financial advice and money management, Disability Insurance is completely unnecessary.
I have worked in the insurance industry, and I can tell you that disability insurance policies are ALL a ripoff. There are all sorts of terms and conditions that can void the policy payout, and the coverage for many common illnesses or accidents is limited or restricted. It is far more beneficial to keep a savings account and put the money that you would spend on DI premiums into that account. Treat the money like it's just a bill you pay. You make a little bit of interest, and that money is still there even if you don't ever get ill. If you have trouble saving money, make it a joint account with someone you trust which will require 2 signatures to withdraw money. Who needs extra bureaucracy when you've already become ill or disabled?
Posted by: Keith | Jan 11, 2022 8:17:31 PM
DISABILITY PLANS ARE COMPLETELY USELESS. IF YOU'VE EVER BEEN DISABLED IN THE PAST OR ARE CURRENTLY DISABLED OR IF THERE IS ANY WAY YOU COULD HAVE PREVENTED THE EVENT OF DISABILITY FROM HAPPENING THEN YOUR INSURANCE IS THEN VOID. THE LOCAL VEHICLE INSURANCE COMPANY HERE HAS A SLOGAN, "EVERY ACCIDENT IS PREVENTABLE" WITH THIS IN MIND, YOUR BASICALLY THROWING YOUR MONEY AWAY. TECHNICALLY ALL ACCIDENTS AND EVENTS LEADING TO DISABILITY ARE PREVENTABLE SO YOUR NOT COVERED FOR ANYTHING WITH ACCIDENT OR DISABILITY INSURANCE PLANS REGARDLESS.
Posted by: Disability Plan helped me to survive | Jan 11, 2022 10:42:03 PM
I am single and currently on LTD, since due to various health problems, I am no longer able to work. The insurance company and QPP are splitting the monthly payment to me. The payments are tax free since I had paid the premiums myself to the insurance company. These payments will cease soon once I reach the age of 65 and begin to receive my regular pension. In the meantime, they have allowed me to survive financially without depleting whatever savings I had managed to acquire. Unfortunately, because I had to stop working approxiamately a year early, through no fault of my own, my monthly government pension will be about $85 a month less for the rest of my life. I am not considered sufficiently disabled yet to be able to receive a disablity pension.
Posted by: Chris | Jan 11, 2022 11:01:22 PM
I was in a very serious mva accident back in 1990. It’s been 20 years of fighting with the insurance companies. The worst one has been dealing with Industrial Alliance.
I was critically injured suffering multiple fractures and a critical head injury. I spent 5 month in the hospital. I have dealt with Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC), Industrial Alliance (formally National Life) and the federal government. ICBC has surprised me the most with actually being fairly reasonable to deal with, and have treated me well. Now Industrial Alliance has been a night mare to deal with. You have to fight for everything with them. Try to call them and you have to deal with a foreigner that can’t speak our language. They have with held monthly payments because a doctor doesn’t submit a form in time to them. I actually had to contact CTV news Dale Goldhawk fights back to get Industrial alliance to pay what there supposed to be paying. That turned into a big class action lawsuit with them. Things ended up working out in the long run, but still there sticking it to anyone collecting there insurance.
Its rather obvious to any doctor I deal with that I’m never going to be able to return to work, but I have to spend $50 every year to have a medical form filled out for Industrial Alliance stating the same thing every year. Even my doctor questions me why do they have to have this form filled out every year. He has put on it that I’m never going to return to work. While I was in the hospital in a coma the doctors told my mother that if I came out of the coma I would never walk or talk again. I do talk now and walk with a limp. Have a leg brace. I have jumped through every hoop for Industrial Alliance and they still treat me poorly. I would never recommend anyone to buy Insurance from Industrial Alliance. The money I get from them never goes up with inflation, but the costs of proving your serious injuries to them goes up, and the cost of living goes up. So I have less money each year, and higher costs to keep getting money from them. They are not concerned with there clients well being. They just want your money.
Posted by: CityGirl | Jan 12, 2022 11:06:07 AM
I agree with the comments that this article implies that single people have a lot of discretionary income. In some cases, it's even harder for single people to survive and thrive financially. Keeping a roof over your head is paid by one salary not 2 even if you get a smaller place, you will still be paying full price for cable, internet, home phone, etc. Communications providers don't offer half off for singles. Or do they??? LOL Still further, if a single person should lose their job - there is no one else to help cover the costs. As a result, I feel that it is even more important for singles to save money!! As for the disability insurance - I have always been leery of this type of insurance for the reasons listed above. They are happy to collect their premiums but as soon as you need to use the service, it's an absolute nightmare of paperwork and run around. I agree Chrystalbell - save your money!!!