Whether you're in the middle of a career pause or considering one, understanding the value of your unpaid labor can change the way you plan for your family. This tool offers a clear, personalized estimate of the time and energy you contribute — paired with guidance on how to protect that value with life insurance.
Before you calculate ...
This calculator isn’t about putting a price tag on your worth. It’s about recognizing the real economic value of what you give — and making sure your family is protected because of it.*
The hidden cost of invisible labor
Care work keeps everything running — meals on the table, appointments made, backpacks packed, schedules remembered, and emotions regulated. But while it holds a household together, it often goes completely unaccounted for in financial plans.
If this work were paid? Estimates suggest its value would top $180,000 per year for many families.
That’s a full-time job — and then some.
The reality is, much of this labor isn’t seen because it’s done quietly and consistently. It doesn’t show up on a paycheck, but it’s no less critical than any other income that supports your family’s future. When care work isn’t factored into things like insurance coverage or long-term financial planning, families are left vulnerable — not because the work doesn’t matter, but because no one thought to assign it a value.
This calculator changes that. By quantifying the hours you put in — whether it’s school pickups, caring for your aging parents, grocery runs, or organizing the family calendar — you’re giving real weight to the time and energy you invest every day.
Why stay-at-home parents need life insurance
Let’s be honest — if something happened to you, your family would feel the loss in more ways than one. Beyond the emotional impact, there’s a real, immediate cost to replacing the day-to-day care, structure, and decision-making you provide.
Things like childcare, home logistics, and emotional labor don’t stop when you’re gone. And while many families are quick to insure the breadwinner’s paycheck, they forget to cover the value of unpaid domestic labor that would be expensive — and overwhelming — to outsource.
Life insurance helps bridge that gap. It offers a financial safety net that ensures your family can keep moving forward, even when you’re not there to manage the moving parts. The coverage can help pay for things like:
Full-time childcare
Meal prep and grocery services
Housekeeping or home management help
Counseling or therapy
Time off work for your partner to step in temporarily
Your role doesn’t come with a salary. But it deserves protection just the same.
How to talk about life insurance with your partner
We get it — talking about life insurance or “what if” scenarios can be tough. But this isn’t about bracing for the worst. It’s about recognizing the work that holds your family together and making sure it’s part of your long-term plan.
If you’re not sure how to bring it up, here are a few ideas to start the conversation:
“I found a tool that calculates the value of the work I do at home. Want to look at it together?”
“If anything ever happened to me, I want to know you and the kids would have support. This might help us figure out what that could look like.”
“We’ve talked about budgeting for the future — this made me realize we should also think about what it would take to replace the work I do here every day.”
You can find more ideas like these — including scripts and talking points — in our Protected Family Guide.
Because the work you do matters. And making a plan to protect it isn’t just smart — it’s an act of love.
Frequently asked questions
What does unpaid labor include?
Unpaid labor includes the day-to-day tasks that keep your household running — like childcare, cooking, cleaning, elder care, managing schedules, handling bills, and emotional support. It's often invisible work, but it's essential and incredibly valuable.
Why should stay-at-home parents have life insurance?
Stay-at-home parents provide critical care and structure that would be costly to replace. Life insurance helps cover those expenses — like childcare, housekeeping, schedule management, and emotional support — so your family isn’t left financially vulnerable if you’re no longer there.
How can I use this calculator to start a financial conversation?
This calculator puts a number to the value of your unpaid domestic labor, helping you and your partner see the financial impact of your daily work. It’s a great way to start a conversation about life insurance and how to protect the role you play in your family’s future.
