Buying life insurance typically happens at two distinct life stages:
n Parents with young children wisely buy a term life policy that will provide financial security for a growing family until the youngest kid is an adult.
n Households nearing retirement can buy a straightforward income annuity to cover basic living costs, beyond what Social Security will provide.
In both instances, the purchase involves entering into a long-term relationship with a life insurance company. Your term life policy might be for 20 years or more. If you buy an income annuity in your 60s with a lifetime benefit, payments could extend well into your 90s.