Sources
Authoritative sources we cite
Life Insurance Direct Answers grounds its answers in primary, authoritative sources — U.S. federal agencies and recognized industry bodies. External links open in a new tab.
Reviewed by Jason Burns — Editorial Steward
State regulation & policyholder protection
- NAIC — Life Insurance Consumer InformationPublisher: National Association of Insurance Commissioners
Consumer-facing overview of life insurance basics from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
https://content.naic.org/consumer/life-insurance.htm - NAIC Life Insurance Policy LocatorPublisher: National Association of Insurance Commissioners
NAIC service that helps consumers find lost or unclaimed life insurance policies and annuity contracts.
https://content.naic.org/article/learn-how-use-naic-life-insurance-policy-locator - NAIC — State Insurance Departments DirectoryPublisher: National Association of Insurance Commissioners
Directory of every U.S. state insurance department, which regulates life insurance in that state.
https://content.naic.org/state-insurance-departments - NOLHGA — State Life & Health Guaranty AssociationsPublisher: National Organization of Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Associations
NOLHGA coordinates the state guaranty association system that helps protect policyholders when a life or health insurer becomes insolvent.
https://www.nolhga.com/
Federal tax authority
- IRS — Life Insurance & Disability Insurance ProceedsPublisher: Internal Revenue Service
IRS FAQ explaining that life insurance proceeds paid by reason of the insured's death are generally not includable in gross income.
https://www.irs.gov/faqs/interest-dividends-other-types-of-income/life-insurance-disability-insurance-proceeds - IRS Publication 525 — Taxable and Nontaxable IncomePublisher: Internal Revenue Service
IRS Publication 525 covers what income is taxable and nontaxable, including sections on life insurance proceeds.
https://www.irs.gov/publications/p525
Federal benefits & mortality data
- Social Security Administration — Survivors BenefitsPublisher: Social Security Administration
Official SSA program information on Social Security survivors benefits available to certain family members after a worker's death.
https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/ - CDC NCHS FastStats — Life ExpectancyPublisher: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (NCHS)
CDC National Center for Health Statistics FastStats page with U.S. life expectancy data.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/life-expectancy.htm