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What is Human Life Value (HLV)?

Human Life Value or HLV is a metric used widely in the insurance space to estimate the financial value and contributions of an individual, especially towards their family. It is especially important for life insurance as it takes into account several factors of the individual, such as:

  • Age

  • Income

  • Expenses 

  • Loans and liabilities

  • Savings

  • Existing life cover

  • Financial goals, and more. 

The resultant amount should ideally be enough to fulfil the dependant’s needs in case the main breadwinner passes away. 

HLV can help you ensure that your loved ones’ financial needs will be met in the future. Now that you know what human life value or HLV in insurance is, let’s learn about how it works.

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Human Life Value Calculator

What is Human Life Value Calculator?

It is an online tool that allows you to calculate the right sum assured amount for your life insurance policy. The Human Life Value calculator will require you to input details, like your age, income, expenses, savings, liabilities, and more. Based on them, it will compute an amount that should be able to replace your financial contribution to the family. It can help you make an informed decision when finalising the life cover for your life insurance policy. When you know you have secured the appropriate amount for your loved ones’ future, you, too, can live with fewer worries.

How do Retirement Calculators work?

How to Calculate Human Life Value?

You can use the following formula to calculate Human Life Value or HLV in insurance:

(Age of Retirement - Current Age) x (Annual Income)

Let’s take the example of Mr Arjun for illustration purposes. 
 

He is 35 years old and looking to opt for a life insurance policy. Arjun’s planned age of retirement is 60, and his annual income is 10 lakhs. 
 

To calculate his Human Life Value, we will use the latter Human Life Value formula:
 

So, (60-35) x (10,00,000) = 2,50,00,000 i.e., 2.5 crores. 
 

Arjun should ideally opt for a life insurance policy with a sum assured of ₹2.5 crores. 
 

However, note that the formula gives only an estimate. Certain variables, like the health of the individual or whether they have an earning spouse, may affect the overall HLV of the individual.

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Steps to Calculate Human Life Value (HLV)

While the above Human Life Value formula makes things easier, you can also take a more detailed approach.

 

 

Take your income into consideration. It includes not only your salary but also all other sources of income which you use for your family’s needs.

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Deduct your present expenses and tax payments.

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Next, consider how long you have until you plan to retire.

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Multiply your annual income (minus expenses and taxes) by the number of years remaining till retirement to get an idea of your future income.

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Factor inflation to get the present value of your future earnings. 

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Adjust the amount by incorporating current savings, investments, and outstanding debts.

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By using the Human Life Value calculator, you can get the desired result without having to do manual calculations.

Types of HLV Calculations

There are different methods to calculate the Human Life Value of an individual. Broadly, these are as follows:

1. Income Replacement Method 

The method estimates the present value of the income that one would have earned for their dependants. As its name suggests, it focuses on replacing the financial contribution of an individual in case of their demise. 

The method is ideal for salaried individuals who want to ensure their family gets to enjoy the same lifestyle even in their absence.

2. Need-based Method 

In this method, the Human Life Value is calculated by taking into account the various financial needs of the dependants. 

It will consider factors like: 

  • Future household expenses

  • Children’s education and marriage costs 

  • Outstanding loans and liabilities

  • Retirement funds for the surviving spouse

The existing savings or investments are deducted to arrive at the amount of insurance needed. The method ensures that the various financial needs of the dependants are met with ease.

3. Combination Method 

The approach uses both the methods mentioned above to get a more comprehensive estimate of the HLV in insurance. The insurer will use the income replacement method as well as the need-based approach. It helps in a more accurate estimate, as both the loss of income as well as the dependants’ needs are considered.

Why is Human Life Value Important?

By now, you may know what human life value or HLV is in insurance. However, do you know why it is so important, especially for the policyholder?

It ensures financial security for dependants

 

With the Human Life Value calculator, you can easily select the correct sum assured. In your absence, the appropriate amount ensures your loved ones are financially secure. 

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It may help pay off debt

Paying off your outstanding debt can be taxing for your family. By ensuring debts and liabilities are considered, the HLV helps provide a sum large enough to pay off any outstanding dues and live a stress-free life. 

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It helps your dependants reach their goals

Many HLV calculators also consider dependants’ future goals like higher education, marriage, property buying, etc. It ensures that your dependants have financial support to pursue their dreams without financial worries.

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It secures your spouse’s retirement

By choosing an apt sum assured amount, you can ensure that your spouse gets to live a peaceful and happy retirement.

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It helps create a legacy

When you know how much your near and dear ones will need, it becomes easier to leave a legacy that will benefit them.

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Benefits of Using the Human Life Value Calculator

When you use the Human Life Value Calculator, you get to enjoy the following benefits:

Helps Avoid Underinsurance or Over-insurance

By using the HLV calculator, you can reach an amount that is perfect for your needs. Neither are you underinsured nor are you over-insured.

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Considers Existing Coverage

If you already have a life cover amount, the HLV calculator helps you gauge whether it is sufficient as per evolving needs and inflation.

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Gives you Peace of Mind

When you know that you have chosen an appropriate amount for your loved ones, you get better peace of mind.

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Factors Influencing Human Life Value

The Human Life Value of an individual is affected by several factors. These include:

The Individual’s Age and Education

A young individual who has completed high levels of education is likely to get a higher human life value. It is because they are also likely to be earning more, which means their income replacement value will be high. Furthermore, their future earnings will also be high. Other aspects of the individual, like their health, may also impact their HLV. 

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Job Security and Economic Conditions

 

The HLV of the individual will also be impacted by how secure their job is, whether it is risky, growth in income, and more. A highly secure job means consistent income in the future, which increases the HLV. 

One must also consider economic aspects like inflation as it can decrease the future value of earnings. 

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Family’s Needs

The importance of life insurance is best understood by those who are the main breadwinners of their family. If you have multiple dependants and you are the sole earner of the family, your HLV will likely be high. In addition, other responsibilities like children’s education costs, parents’ healthcare expenses, the spouse’s retirement needs, and more can affect the HLV of the individual.

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Challenges in Determining Human Life Value (HLV)

The HLV may make things easier. However, determining the accurate HLV can come with certain challenges.

Clarity on Future Income

It can be difficult to know the exact income one will earn in a few years’ time. In addition, one may end up retiring earlier or later than expected, making the HLV calculations irrelevant. 

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Inflation Rates

Predicting inflation rates may be difficult as economic conditions can take unexpected turns. 

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Evolving Family Needs

An individual may be single today, but they may get married tomorrow and have children the day after. With each life stage, the HLV changes, making it difficult to get an accurate estimation. 

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Manual Errors

If you are trying to calculate HLV manually, you may face some errors as well. That is why it is best to use an online Human Life Value calculator.

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The Human Life Value or HLV in insurance is an important metric that can help you choose the right life cover amount. While calculating the HLV is possible manually, a HLV calculator can make the process easier. By considering various factors like your age, income, goals, savings, pending debts and liabilities, and so on, a HLV calculator ensures that your loved ones have enough even in your absence. In doing so, it gives you a peace of mind like no other.

Frequently Asked Questions

View All FAQ’s 

Does Human Life Value differ from person to person?

Answer

Yes, the Human Life Value differs based on various factors, like income level, family responsibilities, obligations, lifestyle, plans for retirement, and so on.

What lifestyle changes can affect HLV?

Answer

Your HLV may be impacted by several changes, such as: 

  • Progression in career or salary 

  • Diagnosis of health conditions, which may reduce life expectancy and affect calculations. 

Increase in the number of dependants, such as a child, which increases one’s financial responsibilities.

 

What is the importance of HLV?

Answer

The HLV is important for many reasons. It helps you select the right amount of life insurance to make your loved ones’ lives easier in your absence. By doing so, it helps them maintain their standard of living, repay outstanding debts, and take care of future expenses like higher education, marriage, or retirement.

Who invented HLV?

Answer

Dr. Solomon S. Huebner invented the concept of Human Life Value. He is also known as the Father of Insurance Education.

Is the Human Life Value calculator only applicable for earning individuals?

Answer

No, different individuals can use the Human Life Value calculator, including students, homemakers, retirees, and so on. They must input their contribution to the house to get an accurate estimate of their coverage needs. 

How often should I recalculate the HLV?

Answer

Ideally, one should recalculate their HLV at regular intervals. However, it is a must when there are major life changes, such as:

  • Growth in salary or a job change

  • Marriage or the birth of a child

  • Increase in liabilities (such as a home loan or a car loan)

  • Changes in retirement plans.

How is Human Life Value in insurance calculated (with an example)?

Answer

To calculate the Human Life Value, you can use the following formula:

(Retirement age - Current age) x Annual Income = HLV 

Let’s take Mr Arun as an example. He is 30 years old and plans to retire by 55. His annual income is ₹12 lakhs. His HLV can be calculated as follows: 

(55-30) x (12,00,000) = 3,00,00,000 i.e. 3 crores. 

He can opt for a ₹3 crore life insurance plan to ensure his loved ones continue to maintain their standard of life.

How can you assess your HLV?

Answer

To assess your HLV, you need to take into account your current income, personal expenses and taxes, remaining working years, and the present value of your future earnings. In addition, also consider whether you have any savings, investments, or existing life insurance coverage.

Apart from HLV, what other factors should be considered when buying a life insurance policy?

Answer

Along with the HLV, you must consider factors like: 

The life cover amount is one of the factors affecting the life insurance premium. Hence, make sure to choose an amount that you can afford.

How much life insurance do you need?

Answer

Each individual needs a life cover that fits their needs. Ideally, it should cover:

  • Regular expenses of your loved ones in your absence. 

  • Outstanding loans and liabilities 

  • Children’s education costs and marriage expenses 

  • Healthcare costs for everyone 

  • Spouse’s retirement needs, and more.  

Before you choose a final sum assured, check the different channels into which your income goes. Review how long these channels will need funding. Only consider those expenses that you have to take care of. To make planning easier, use the Human Life Value Calculator.

How can the right amount of life insurance give you peace of mind?

Answer

Having the right life cover amount ensures that your family is financially stable even in your absence. You can rest assured knowing that your loved ones’ various expenses, such as education costs, daily living expenses, marriage costs, retirement plans, and more, are all taken care of. 

Knowing that you have done your best to ensure a financial cushion for your family in your absence can bring you peace of mind. It not only secures their future but also makes your present worry-free.

 

How important is it to plan for the well-being of your family in the case of any unfortunate event?

Answer

It is extremely crucial to plan your family’s well-being, especially if they are dependent on you. Planning ensures that your loved ones do not face financial stress when an unfortunate event strikes. While the emotional turmoil of such an event may take time to heal, the financial cushion ensures they continue to live a life of dignity and pursue their dreams with confidence. 

Are there any limitations to the Human Life Value calculator?

Answer

Yes, one must remember that the HLV calculator in insurance is an online tool. Hence, it may not take into account several subjective factors. It may not predict the inflation rate accurately. With changing times, one’s lifestyle may also evolve, leading to the old HLV becoming outdated. Irrespective, it is a useful tool that can help you plan your life insurance journey more accurately.

What is HLV in insurance?

Answer

The Human Life Value in insurance refers to the economic worth of an individual based on their future contribution to their family. One can calculate the HLV via the Human Life Value calculator and ensure an appropriate sum assured for their dependants. 

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