Life insurance planning faces high procrastination among U.S. adults

A new survey from the financial literacy nonprofit Life Happens reveals that many Americans are procrastinating on life insurance planning. According to the 2026 Life Happens Life Insurance Survey, 46% of U.S. adults state they will either deal with life insurance later or not at all.

The data suggests that many people would prefer mundane chores over financial planning; 39% of respondents would rather clean out their email inboxes, while 31% would rather clean out a garage or basement. Additionally, one in five adults expressed a willingness to wait on hold with customer service for three hours rather than address their life insurance needs.

Emotional factors also play a role in this delay. Approximately 40% of adults report feeling overwhelmed or anxious regarding the process. While nearly one-third of adults have already secured a plan and feel confident, others remain uncertain, with 14% unsure if their current coverage is sufficient and 12% citing confusion or cost concerns as barriers to starting.