How Much Life Insurance Should You Buy?

For most people, coverage should match current income because that reflects the lifestyle a household already depends on day to day today.
A resident nearing doctor-level pay may reasonably buy extra room upfront, since future earnings are expected to be much higher than training income.
The guidance suggested term coverage worth 10 to 12 times annual income, with a possible starting amount roughly doubled for added safety.
If health is decent, that larger starting policy was described as affordable, and coverage can later be adjusted once physician-level earnings begin.
The practical takeaway: start with term insurance now, protect against current needs plus near-term growth, then revisit coverage after income materially changes.