Below is a breakdown of the different life insurance age limits for term life, whole life, final expense, guaranteed acceptance, and universal life products.
Life Insurance Age Limit Overview
The maximum age limit for buying a new life insurance policy varies based on the type of policy (whole, term, or universal), your state of residence, and your health.
How long coverage lasts depends upon the type of life insurance, the company, and when the policy was issued.
Below is a table that breaks down life insurance age limits for new applicants and the age limit (how long it lasts) for different types of coverage.
| Policy Type | New Applicant Age Limit | Max Policy Age Limit (How Long It Lasts) |
|---|---|---|
| Final Expense Insurance | 90 | Forever |
| Guaranteed Acceptance | 85 | Forever |
| Term Life Insurance | 80 | 80-90 |
| Traditional Whole Life Insurance | 85 | Forever |
| Universal Life Insurance | 85 | Forever |
Final Expense Insurance Age Limit
Age limit for new applicants: 90
How long the policy lasts: Forever
Final expense life insurance, also known as burial insurance or funeral insurance, is a type of no medical exam whole life insurance meant to pay for your end-of-life costs.
Burial insurance has no age limit and will last forever. The coverage is generally less than $50,000, and the underwriting is very lenient, meaning seniors with pre-existing conditions are still eligible.
Even though these policies are primarily meant for funeral costs, the payout money can technically be spent on anything, including medical bills, credit card debts, or anything else.
Above the age 85, burial insurance is the only type of coverage available.
Guaranteed Acceptance Life Insurance Age Limit
Age limit for new applicants: 85
How long the policy lasts: Forever
Guaranteed issue life insurance is a type of policy with no medical underwriting. You’re guaranteed approval because there are no health questions or medical exams to complete.
These policies always have a two-year waiting period. If you die during the waiting period, the insurance company will only refund your premiums plus approximately 10% interest.
Guaranteed acceptance plans are whole life insurance, so the coverage lasts your entire life.
Term Life Insurance Age Limit
Age limit for new applicants: 80 (with a medical exam) | 75 (no medical exam)
How long the policy lasts: Typically until age 80, 85 or 90
Term life insurance is a type of temporary life insurance designed to expire after a specific period. After you reach the end of the term, the policy terminates, and you no longer have insurance. For example, AARP life insurance is term insurance that expires at age 80.
Also, at age 80, a 10-year term would be the longest term you could buy if you take a medical exam. At age 75, most companies will only offer you a 10-year term, but some will do 15 years.
Traditional Whole Life Insurance Age Limit
Age limit for new applicants: 85 (with a medical exam) | 80 (no medical exam)
How long the policy lasts: Forever
Whole life insurance is a type of permanent life insurance with ironclad guarantees. The premiums cannot increase, the coverage can’t decrease, it lasts forever, and builds cash value.
To get a new policy at 85, you’ll have to take a medical exam. No exam whole life insurance options will only be available to seniors age 80 and below.
Universal Life insurance Age Limit
Age limit for new applicants: 85 (with a medical exam) | 80 (no medical exam)
How long the policy lasts: Forever
Universal life is a form of permanent life insurance with flexible premiums and cash value accumulation. Unlike whole life insurance, you can adjust your premiums. Universal life policies are generally used as a financial tool for tax-deferred growth combined with the benefit of life insurance protection.
You’ll have to take a medical exam to get a new policy at age 85. At age 80 and younger, there are many no-exam options.
Frequently Asked Questions
90 is the cutoff age for life insurance, and there aren’t but a handful of companies that go that high. Typically, most companies have a maximum age of 80 or 85. Keep in mind that the maximum age for life insurance varies greatly depending on whether you want term life, whole life, or universal life insurance.
If you don’t have insurance to pay for a burial, you can crowdfund through sites like GoFundMe, do fundraisers such as a car wash, or pool funds together as a family. Also, you can borrow money from a lending institution, ask a funeral home if you can set up a payment plan, or see if your local or state government has any indigent burial programs. Only a few states offer burial assistance through Medicaid. Without insurance, paying for a funeral is going to be a strain on your family, which is why it’s so important to plan ahead.
Funeral insurance for seniors is usually the best type of life insurance for older adults because paying for funeral costs is generally all that is needed.
Many life insurance companies offer life insurance to seniors over 80. The only types available are burial insurance, whole life, and universal life. If you’re exactly 80 years old, you might qualify for a 10-year term (nothing longer). After 81, companies will no longer offer term life insurance.
Very few companies sell life insurance over 85, but it is possible. Whole life final expense insurance is the only option. There is no term, traditional whole life, or universal life available at this age. To qualify at this age, you won’t have to take a medical exam, but you will have to answer health questions. There are no guaranteed acceptance life insurance options after 85.
Choice Mutual often cites third-party websites to provide context and verification for specific claims made in our work. We only link to authoritative websites that are known to provide accurate information. You can learn more about our editorial standards, which guides our mission of delivering factual and impartial content.
- GoFundMe. https://www.gofundme.com/
- borrow money. https://www.lendingtree.com/personal/funeral-loans/
- indigent burial. https://www.us-funerals.com/indigent-burials-and-cremations/
