Insurance, Retirement, and Estate Planning

via Coursera

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Details

Go to class

Provider

Coursera
Pricing

Paid Course
Languages

English
Certificate

Certificate Available
Effort

4 weeks, 2 hours a week
Sessions

Self-Paced
Level

Beginner
Subtitles

English

Found in

Part of

Saving, Investing, Insurance, and Retirement Planning

Overview

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Life is full of uncertainty, and while you can't predict the future, you can absolutely prepare for it. From unexpected medical bills and disabilities to the eventual need for retirement income and the desire to leave something behind for the people you love, the decisions you make today have a profound impact on your financial security tomorrow. In this course you'll develop a comprehensive understanding of how to protect what you have, plan for what's ahead, and build a financial legacy that reflects your values and priorities. Most people put off insurance, retirement, and estate planning because these topics feel distant, complicated, or uncomfortable. But waiting is its own kind of risk. The people who are best prepared aren't necessarily the wealthiest — they're the ones who made intentional decisions before a crisis forced their hand. This course gives you the knowledge and confidence to be one of them.

Syllabus

Insurance and Personal Risk Protection

Nobody likes to think about worst-case scenarios, but the people who plan for them are far better positioned when life takes an unexpected turn. This module begins with the foundational question of what insurance actually is, why it exists, and how it functions as one of the most important tools in a personal financial plan. You will investigate the three types of personal insurance that most directly affect your financial security: health, disability, and life. Health insurance is often the most immediate and complex of the three — with options, costs, and requirements that can feel overwhelming without the right framework to evaluate them. Disability insurance, by contrast, is frequently overlooked despite the fact that a loss of income due to illness or injury can be financially devastating. And life insurance, while a topic many people avoid, is a critical component of any plan designed to protect the people who depend on you. Together, these lessons give you a clear, practical understanding of the personal risk protection tools that form the backbone of long-term financial security. 💡 Tip for Success: Insurance decisions are deeply personal — they depend on your health, your income, your family situation, and your stage of life. As you work through this module, keep your own circumstances in mind. The goal isn't just to understand how these products work, but to start thinking about how they apply to you specifically.

Property and Liability Risk

The things you own — your car, your home, your personal belongings — represent years of financial effort and are worth protecting. This module focuses on the insurance tools designed to do exactly that, starting with automobile insurance. Beyond simply meeting legal requirements, understanding the key coverage elements of an auto policy ensures you're genuinely protected when an accident happens, not just technically covered. You will explore homeowner's and renter's insurance, two forms of coverage that protect your personal and real property from loss, damage, and liability. Whether you own or rent, the financial consequences of being uninsured or underinsured can be severe and long-lasting. The module closes with an often-overlooked but increasingly important topic: long-term care insurance. As life expectancy increases, the cost of extended care — whether in a facility or at home — has become one of the most significant financial risks facing individuals and families today. Understanding the strategies and insurance options available for meeting those needs is an essential part of any complete financial plan. 💡 Tip for Success: As you work through this module, take a few minutes to review your current insurance policies, or lack thereof. Many people discover they are either underinsured or paying for coverage that no longer fits their situation. A little awareness now can prevent a very costly surprise later.

Retirement and Estate Planning

The most thoughtful financial plans don't just account for today, they look decades ahead, anticipating the life you want to live and the legacy you want to leave. This module addresses two of the most consequential areas of long-term financial planning: retirement and estate planning. You'll begin by exploring the importance of planning for retirement early and intentionally, including how Individual Retirement Accounts can serve as powerful, tax-advantaged tools for building the financial security you'll need in your later years. Next, you will explore estate planning — a topic many people put off, but one that affects everyone regardless of age or wealth. You'll examine the different ways property can be held and transferred, how wills ensure your assets go where you intend after your passing, and how living wills and powers of attorney protect your wishes and your loved ones in the event you are unable to speak for yourself. The module closes with an equally important lesson: knowing when and how to seek help from financial professionals. Navigating retirement and estate planning doesn't have to be done alone, and understanding how to find, evaluate, and work with the right professionals is a skill that pays dividends throughout your entire financial life. 💡 Tip for Success: The topics in this module can feel distant if retirement or estate planning seems far off — but the earlier these conversations start, the better the outcomes tend to be. Approach each lesson with the mindset that there is no better time to start planning than right now.