--- title: Empire Life Blog Empire Life Blog | Allison Barton description: Access the latest insights on life insurance, investments, and group benefits all in one place. Visit the Empire Life blog. --- × #### Subscribe ### Subscribe to Email Updates Signing up for our Blog offers you the opportunity to subscribe and receive email notifications for Investment or Insurance type content only from The Empire Life Insurance Company and Empire Life Investments Inc. You may cancel your subscription to the newsletter at any time by clicking on [unsubscribe](http://www.fastandfull.ca/hs/manage-preferences/unsubscribe-simple) or, by contacting The Empire Life Insurance Company or, Empire Life Investments Inc. **The Empire Life Insurance Company** 259 King Street East, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3A8, Canada Toll Free: 1 800 561-1268 Email: insurance@empire.ca or investment@empire.ca **Empire Life Investments Inc.** c/o 259 King Street East, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3A8, Canada Toll-free telephone: 1 855 823-6883 Email: mutualfund@empire.ca Close [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Empire-Life-Insurance-142465432433812/) [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/empire-life-investments) [Twitter](https://twitter.com/empirelifeins) Subscribe [EN](https://www.empire.ca/blog) | [FR](https://empire.ca/fr/blogue) [![Empire Life | Empire Life Investments](https://blog.empirelife.ca/hubfs/Logo/Combined%20Blog%20Images/combined-logo.png)](https://www.empire.ca/blog) # Insurance, Investments and Group Benefits ## Navigate life with confidenceTM - Insurance - [Insurance](https://www.empire.ca/blog/topic/insurance) - [Helpful Tips](https://www.empire.ca/blog/topic/helpful-tips) - [Customer Service](https://www.empire.ca/blog/topic/customer-service) - Investments - [Investments](https://www.empire.ca/blog/topic/investments) - [Investment Views](https://www.empire.ca/blog/topic/investment-views) - [Off the Cuff](https://www.empire.ca/blog/topic/off-the-cuff) - [Group Benefits(1)](https://www.empire.ca/blog/topic/group-benefits) - [Personal Finance (1)](https://www.empire.ca/blog/topic/personal-finance) ## Allison Barton ### Recent Posts ## [Life insurance mistakes to avoid](https://blog.empirelife.ca/blog/life-insurance-mistakes-to-avoid) [Helpful Tips](https://www.empire.ca/blog/topic/helpful-tips), [Insurance](https://www.empire.ca/blog/topic/insurance) [![Life insurance mistakes to avoid](https://blog.empirelife.ca/hubfs/Blog_images/Life_Insurance_Mistakes_to_Avoid/ENG/HeaderImg-v2.png)](https://blog.empirelife.ca/blog/life-insurance-mistakes-to-avoid) By [Allison Barton](https://www.empire.ca/blog/author/allison-barton) Apr 14, 2016, 3:01:57 PM There is no question that confusion exists when it comes to the topic of life insurance, and where there is confusion, mistakes can happen. So, to help you learn from other’s experiences, here are some common life insurance mistakes to avoid before, during and after you make a life insurance purchase:  [Read More](https://blog.empirelife.ca/blog/life-insurance-mistakes-to-avoid) ## [Protecting your home with life insurance](https://blog.empirelife.ca/blog/protecting-your-home-with-life-insurance) [Helpful Tips](https://www.empire.ca/blog/topic/helpful-tips), [Insurance](https://www.empire.ca/blog/topic/insurance) [![Protecting your home with life insurance](https://blog.empirelife.ca/hs-fs/file-564313990-jpg/Blog_images/blog-mortgage-en.jpg)](https://blog.empirelife.ca/blog/protecting-your-home-with-life-insurance) By [Allison Barton](https://www.empire.ca/blog/author/allison-barton) Feb 2, 2016, 2:15:00 PM Buying a home can be the single biggest purchase an individual will ever make.   [Read More](https://blog.empirelife.ca/blog/protecting-your-home-with-life-insurance) ## [Factors that determine how much your life insurance will cost](https://blog.empirelife.ca/blog/factors-that-determine-how-much-your-life-insurance-will-cost) [Helpful Tips](https://www.empire.ca/blog/topic/helpful-tips), [Insurance](https://www.empire.ca/blog/topic/insurance) [![Factors that determine how much your life insurance will cost](https://blog.empirelife.ca/blog/author/none)](https://blog.empirelife.ca/blog/factors-that-determine-how-much-your-life-insurance-will-cost) By [Allison Barton](https://www.empire.ca/blog/author/allison-barton) Dec 2, 2015, 3:06:14 PM How much you will pay for life insurance is based on several factors including your age, health and smoking status. Check out this infographic to help you understand all the factors that may influence your life insurance quote: [Read More](https://blog.empirelife.ca/blog/factors-that-determine-how-much-your-life-insurance-will-cost) ## [Answering some important life insurance questions](https://blog.empirelife.ca/blog/answering-some-important-life-insurance-questions) [Helpful Tips](https://www.empire.ca/blog/topic/helpful-tips), [Insurance](https://www.empire.ca/blog/topic/insurance) By [Allison Barton](https://www.empire.ca/blog/author/allison-barton) Oct 26, 2015, 2:35:01 PM ![Couple looking at laptop](https://blog.empirelife.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_images/Answering_Some_Important_Questions/iStock_000045333788_Small.jpg?width=650&name=iStock_000045333788_Small.jpg "Couple looking at laptop") Life insurance is an important part of your overall financial plan. We’ve put together some easy to understand video’s to help you get started with answering a few important life insurance questions. [Read More](https://blog.empirelife.ca/blog/answering-some-important-life-insurance-questions) ## [Lessons Learned - Irrevocable Life Insurance Beneficiary not so “Untouchable”](https://blog.empirelife.ca/blog/lessons-learned-irrevocable-life-insurance-beneficiary-not-so-untouchable) [Helpful Tips](https://www.empire.ca/blog/topic/helpful-tips), [Insurance](https://www.empire.ca/blog/topic/insurance) By [Allison Barton](https://www.empire.ca/blog/author/allison-barton) Oct 20, 2015, 10:22:00 AM ![Family being severed](https://blog.empirelife.ca/hubfs/Blog_images/Irrevocable_Beneficiary/iStock_000037969046_Small.jpg "Family being severed") As a follow-up to our recent post on when an [irrevocable life insurance beneciary may not be so "untouchable"](https://blog.fastandfull.ca/irrevocable-life-insurance-beneficiary-not-so-untouchable), **Peter Wouters**, Director of Tax Retirement & Estate Planning Services at Empire Life, continues to provide his insights on a recent court case where life insurance proceeds were made available to a dependant - despite the same policy naming another dependant as an irrevocable beneficiary as part of a separation agreement. Lessons to be learned? Find out.   [Read More](https://blog.empirelife.ca/blog/lessons-learned-irrevocable-life-insurance-beneficiary-not-so-untouchable) ## [Irrevocable Life Insurance Beneficiary not so “Untouchable”](https://blog.empirelife.ca/blog/irrevocable-life-insurance-beneficiary-not-so-untouchable) [Helpful Tips](https://www.empire.ca/blog/topic/helpful-tips), [Insurance](https://www.empire.ca/blog/topic/insurance) By [Allison Barton](https://www.empire.ca/blog/author/allison-barton) Sep 30, 2015, 1:30:29 PM ![Family on Bridge](https://blog.empirelife.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_images/Irrevocable_Beneficiary/iStock_000055638100_Small.jpg?width=642&height=350&name=iStock_000055638100_Small.jpg "Family on Bridge") An "**irrevocable life insurance beneficiary**" refers to a person that is designated to receive life insurance benefits from a life insurance policy or segregated fund contract where that designation cannot be changed without that person’s consent, and on the death of the life insured the benefits do not form part of the owner’s (if he/she is the life insured) estate. This is set out in the Insurance Act.  [Read More](https://blog.empirelife.ca/blog/irrevocable-life-insurance-beneficiary-not-so-untouchable) ## [6 Tips for the First-Time Life Insurance Buyer](https://blog.empirelife.ca/blog/6-tips-for-the-first-time-life-insurance-buyer) [Helpful Tips](https://www.empire.ca/blog/topic/helpful-tips), [Insurance](https://www.empire.ca/blog/topic/insurance) [![6 Tips for the First-Time Life Insurance Buyer](https://blog.empirelife.ca/hubfs/Blog_images/6_Tips_for_the_First_Time_Life_Insurance_Buyer/Young_girl.jpg)](https://blog.empirelife.ca/blog/6-tips-for-the-first-time-life-insurance-buyer) By [Allison Barton](https://www.empire.ca/blog/author/allison-barton) Aug 25, 2015, 2:41:00 PM Are you looking to purchase life insurance for the very first time and have no idea where to start?  [Read More](https://blog.empirelife.ca/blog/6-tips-for-the-first-time-life-insurance-buyer) ## [Life insurance: More affordable and simpler than you think](https://blog.empirelife.ca/blog/life-insurance-more-affordable-and-simpler-than-you-think) [Helpful Tips](https://www.empire.ca/blog/topic/helpful-tips), [Insurance](https://www.empire.ca/blog/topic/insurance) By [Allison Barton](https://www.empire.ca/blog/author/allison-barton) Jul 16, 2015, 1:38:00 PM It’s surprising that many people know that their families would benefit from having life insurance, but yet many people still don’t have it. Obviously, barriers exist for people – perhaps competing priorities, not knowing enough about what to purchase and where to start with the process, and thinking that it’s not affordable. [Read More](https://blog.empirelife.ca/blog/life-insurance-more-affordable-and-simpler-than-you-think) ## [Valuing Dad](https://blog.empirelife.ca/blog/valuing-dad) [Insurance](https://www.empire.ca/blog/topic/insurance) [![Valuing Dad](https://blog.empirelife.ca/hubfs/Blog_images/Valuing_Dad/FathersDayBlog1.jpg)](https://blog.empirelife.ca/blog/valuing-dad) By [Allison Barton](https://www.empire.ca/blog/author/allison-barton) Jun 19, 2015, 2:27:00 PM Similar to our homage to [Mother’s on their special day](https://blog.fastandfull.ca/valuing-a-stay-at-home-parent), we didn’t want to miss out on paying tribute to Dads and all that they provide for their families. [Read More](https://blog.empirelife.ca/blog/valuing-dad) ## [Consider Including Life Insurance in Your Summer Planning Checklist](https://blog.empirelife.ca/blog/consider-including-life-insurance-in-your-summer-planning-checklist) [Helpful Tips](https://www.empire.ca/blog/topic/helpful-tips), [Insurance](https://www.empire.ca/blog/topic/insurance) By [Allison Barton](https://www.empire.ca/blog/author/allison-barton) Jun 4, 2015, 3:22:31 PM ![Family_on_Beach](https://blog.empirelife.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_images/Consider_Including_Life_Insurance_in_Your_Summer_Planning_Checklist/Family_on_Beach.jpg?width=640&name=Family_on_Beach.jpg "Family_on_Beach") The summer season can mean time for barbeques, biking, soccer, baseball, watching beautiful sunsets and having s’mores around the campfire. The season conjures up images of lazy days in a hammock or lying poolside. However, the reality for many people consists of hectic schedules and very busy summer calendars. With kids out of school, summer camps, and running to scheduled sporting events, getting some spare time can seem challenging at times.  [Read More](https://blog.empirelife.ca/blog/consider-including-life-insurance-in-your-summer-planning-checklist) ![Get a quote and apply for life insurance](https://blog.empirelife.ca/hubfs/Logo/Combined%20Blog%20Images/GetAQuote-BlogButton-couple-EN.jpg) [BUY NOW](https://www.empire.ca/insurance/buy-life-insurance) ![Retirement Savings Tool](https://blog.empirelife.ca/hubfs/Blog_images/RST-Blog-EN.jpg) [Get Started](https://www.empire.ca/retirement-and-savings-tool) ### POPULAR POSTS ### CATEGORIES - [Insurance](https://www.empire.ca/blog/topic/insurance) - [Investments](https://www.empire.ca/blog/topic/investments) - [Group Benefits](https://www.empire.ca/blog/topic/group-benefits) - [Personal Finance](https://www.empire.ca/blog/topic/personal-finance) [Disclaimer](https://info.fastandfull.ca/disclaimer) [Legal](https://info.fastandfull.ca/legal) [Privacy Policy](https://info.fastandfull.ca/privacy-policy) [Accessibility](https://info.fastandfull.ca/accessibility) [Consumer Information](https://info.fastandfull.ca/consumer-information) [Contact Us](https://info.fastandfull.ca/contact) [Third-Party Tools and Sites](https://info.fastandfull.ca/third-party) [Confidentiality](https://info.fastandfull.ca/confidentiality) [Unsubscribe](https://info.fastandfull.ca/hs/manage-preferences/unsubscribe-simple) **CONTACT US** The Empire Life Insurance Company 259 King St. E. Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3A8 1 877 548-1881 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, EST weekdays ®/TM Trademarks of The Empire Life Insurance Company.