Employer Life Insurance May Not Be Enough

In the US, a $70K earner with coverage at 2x salary leaves $140K. Funeral costs, catch-up bills, and mortgage payments can reduce that quickly.
The gap matters because income replacement lasts years. The guideline of 10-12x income aimed to cover debts, childcare, and lost earning time.
Another risk: workplace coverage stays tied to the job. Leaving, layoffs, or retirement ends protection, and buying new coverage later can become costly or unavailable.
Employer-sold supplemental coverage can carry the same portability problem, and rates climb in 5-yr age bands. Shopping 20- or 30-yr term early can help.
Start by subtracting employer coverage from a 10-12x income target. A healthy 30-yr-old could lock $500K of 20-yr term near $25-$30 monthly.