Below is a breakdown of the different life insurance age limits for term life, whole life, final expense, and universal life products.
Final Expense Insurance Age Limit
90 is the maximum age for new final expense insurance applicants.
Final expense insurance is the only type of life insurance for seniors over 85. Final expense, 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.
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.
From ages 86–89, only five burial life insurance companies in the nation will issue a new policy. At age 90, there are only two providers.
Term Life Insurance Age Limit
80 is the maximum age for new term life insurance applicants if they take a medical exam. Without a medical exam, 75 is the maximum age.
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. 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
85 is the maximum age for new whole life insurance applicants.
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
85 is the maximum age for new universal life insurance applicants.
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 if so inclined. 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 plenty of 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. 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.
