When determining how much life insurance they need, most people focus on replacing their salary. But keep in mind there are other forms of income that may need to be replaced. For example, if your employer provides health insurance, if you pass away your spouse will need to replace that coverage – and replacement could be expensive. The same is true if you receive alimony or child support payments; that income could disappear if you pass away. If your goal is to purchase a policy large enough to replace your income for a number of years, make sure you factor in all the income you receive – not just your base salary.