Also, learn which companies are best for whole life insurance, how term and universal life differ from whole life, and how to qualify.
Whole Life Insurance Rate Charts By Age, Gender & Coverage Amount
The whole life insurance price charts below have cost estimates for adults aged 35-89 between $5,000-$100,000 in coverage. The monthly rates shown are for a non-smoker, and no medical exam is required to qualify.
$5,000 whole life insurance rates chart
| Age | Female (Monthly Rates) | Male (Monthly Rates) |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | $11 | $12 |
| 40 | $12 | $14 |
| 45 | $13 | $15 |
| 50 | $14 | $17 |
| 55 | $15 | $20 |
| 60 | $18 | $23 |
| 65 | $22 | $29 |
| 70 | $28 | $37 |
| 75 | $37 | $50 |
| 80 | $51 | $69 |
| 85 | $68 | $95 |
| 89 | $139 | $181 |
| Learn more about $5,000 whole life insurance policies. | ||
$10,000 whole life insurance rates chart
| Age | Female (Monthly Rates) | Male (Monthly Rates) |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | $18 | $21 |
| 40 | $21 | $24 |
| 45 | $23 | $26 |
| 50 | $24 | $31 |
| 55 | $28 | $36 |
| 60 | $33 | $43 |
| 65 | $41 | $54 |
| 70 | $53 | $70 |
| 75 | $71 | $97 |
| 80 | $98 | $134 |
| 85 | $132 | $187 |
| 89 | $275 | $357 |
| Learn more about $10,000 whole life insurance policies. | ||
$15,000 whole life insurance rates chart
| Age | Female (Monthly Rates) | Male (Monthly Rates) |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | $25 | $29 |
| 40 | $29 | $34 |
| 45 | $32 | $37 |
| 50 | $35 | $44 |
| 55 | $40 | $52 |
| 60 | $47 | $63 |
| 65 | $59 | $79 |
| 70 | $78 | $103 |
| 75 | $105 | $144 |
| 80 | $145 | $200 |
| 85 | $195 | $279 |
| 89 | $411 | $535 |
| Learn more about $15,000 whole life insurance policies. | ||
$25,000 whole life insurance rates chart
| Age | Female (Monthly Rates) | Male (Monthly Rates) |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | $39 | $45 |
| 40 | $45 | $54 |
| 45 | $52 | $60 |
| 50 | $55 | $71 |
| 55 | $64 | $84 |
| 60 | $76 | $103 |
| 65 | $97 | $130 |
| 70 | $127 | $169 |
| 75 | $172 | $238 |
| 80 | $239 | $330 |
| 85 | $324 | $464 |
| 89 | $683 | $889 |
| Learn more about $25,000 whole life insurance policies. | ||
$50,000 whole life insurance rates chart
| Age | Female (Monthly Rates) | Male (Monthly Rates) |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | $78 | $90 |
| 40 | $90 | $108 |
| 45 | $104 | $120 |
| 50 | $110 | $142 |
| 55 | $128 | $168 |
| 60 | $152 | $206 |
| 65 | $194 | $260 |
| 70 | $254 | $338 |
| 75 | $344 | $476 |
| 80 | $478 | $660 |
| 85 | $648 | $928 |
| 89 | $1,366 | $1,778 |
| Learn more about $50,000 whole life insurance policies. | ||
$100,000 whole life insurance rates chart
| Age | Female (Monthly Rates) | Male (Monthly Rates) |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | $156 | $180 |
| 40 | $180 | $216 |
| 45 | $208 | $240 |
| 50 | $220 | $284 |
| 55 | $256 | $336 |
| 60 | $304 | $412 |
| 65 | $388 | $520 |
| 70 | $508 | $676 |
| 75 | $688 | $952 |
| 80 | $956 | $1,320 |
| 85 | $1,296 | $1,856 |
| 89 | N/A | N/A |
| Learn more about $100,000 whole life insurance policies. | ||
Best Whole Life Insurance Companies
Virtually every life insurance company offers whole life insurance for seniors.
The carriers below are four top providers offering inexpensive whole life insurance quotes and underwriting. You don’t necessarily need to be in good health because they all accept many common health issues.
Eligibility depends on your answers to health questions and medical history (no medical exam is required).
1 ) Mutual of Omaha
Choice Mutual’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
The Complaint Index compares a company’s performance to other companies in the market. The National Complaint Index is always 1.00. That means a company with a complaint index of 2.00 is twice as high as expected in the market. Reported scores are for the most recently available year and for “Individual Life” products.
Mutual of Omaha Living Promise whole life insurance is available in all states except New York. Seniors 45-85 are eligible to apply. You can buy $2,000-$40,000 in coverage, and no medical exam is required. Generally, Mutual of Omaha has the best whole life burial insurance rates compared to other providers.
Get a quote from Mutual of Omaha
2) Aetna
Choice Mutual’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
The Complaint Index compares a company’s performance to other companies in the market. The National Complaint Index is always 1.00. That means a company with a complaint index of 2.00 is twice as high as expected in the market. Reported scores are for the most recently available year and for “Individual Life” products.
Aetna final expense insurance is a no medical exam whole life policy available everywhere except New York. They accept applicants 40-89 and offer $2,000-$50,000 in coverage (varies by age).
The monthly cost of Aetna life insurance is competitive compared to other providers, especially for seniors in their 80s.
3) Foresters Financial
Choice Mutual’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
The Complaint Index compares a company’s performance to other companies in the market. The National Complaint Index is always 1.00. That means a company with a complaint index of 2.00 is twice as high as expected in the market. Reported scores are for the most recently available year and for “Individual Life” products.
Foresters Financial’s whole life insurance is available from 0-85 and has a death benefit of up to $150,000. It’s available nationwide except in New York, and you don’t have to take a medical exam.
Get a quote from Foresters Financial
4) Transamerica
Choice Mutual’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, financial strength ratings and complaint data.
The Complaint Index compares a company’s performance to other companies in the market. The National Complaint Index is always 1.00. That means a company with a complaint index of 2.00 is twice as high as expected in the market. Reported scores are for the most recently available year and for “Individual Life” products.
Transamerica offers $1,000-$50,000 in no exam whole life coverage from ages 18-85 in all 50 states.
How Does Whole Life Insurance Work?
A whole life insurance policy is a type of permanent coverage that builds cash value and has iron-clad guarantees.
The premiums never increase, the death benefits will never decrease, and the policy will never terminate due to age.
Ultimately, the policy will pay the face amount to your beneficiaries as a tax-free check. Remember, life insurance proceeds can be spent on anything with no restrictions.
That means your loved ones can use the money to pay for your funeral, medical bills, outstanding debts, or any other matter.
How To Avoid A Two-Year Waiting Period
Some life insurance coverage comes with an exclusionary period of two-three years.
It’s commonly referred to as a “waiting period.”
A policy with a waiting period will only refund your premiums plus a small amount of interest for any non-accidental death.
Only after the waiting period has expired will the life insurance company pay out the full death benefit.
Remember, not all life insurance policies have a waiting period, but some do.
To get a life insurance plan with no waiting period, you must apply with an insurance provider that requires you to answer health questions.
You don’t have to take a medical exam.
However, you will have to complete a health questionnaire and have your application approved.
It’s worth noting, too, that you don’t have to have a pristine medical history.
People with health conditions like heart disease can still qualify for an immediate coverage policy.
Also, seniors over 80 or 85 can get life insurance with no waiting period.
Term Life Insurance Vs. Whole Life
A term life insurance policy is a temporary plan that lasts a specific period. It is the most affordable life insurance compared to other types.
Whole life insurance is the opposite because it lasts your entire life.
Term coverage can last for a certain number of years, such as:
- 10-year term policy
- 20-year term policy
- 30-year term policy
Or it can last until a certain age, such as 65 or 80. Once you reach the term length, the policy terminates, and you no longer have coverage.
Now, one type of policy is not better than the other.
Some insurance agents like Dave Ramsey will disagree and take a stand that one is better than the other.
The key is to select the correct type of policy that is best suited to accomplish your goal.
Here’s a simple rule to follow to decide which policy type is best for you:
- Term: The best life insurance to cover temporary financial obligations such as income replacement for your dependents or paying off a debt such as a mortgage.
- Whole: Best to solve permanent issues such as estate planning or funeral expenses.
In short, buy term for a temporary need and buy whole life for a permanent condition.
Don’t be lured solely by the cheaper 20-year term life insurance rates. Consider all the variables (not just price) when deciding.
Universal Life Insurance Vs Whole Life
Truthfully, universal life insurance is complicated. Even veteran life insurance agents have difficulty understanding (let alone explaining) these insurance products.
It’s a type of permanent life insurance because it can last forever.
Universal life policies are essentially a hybrid between term and whole life. They build cash value just like whole life that policyholders can withdraw and use as they see fit.
The rate of cash value growth in a UL plan heavily influences how long it will last. Just like whole life, you can withdraw it at any time.
However, if you withdraw the cash, there’s a good chance your policy will collapse later in life, leaving you with no coverage.
Some universal life policies offer payment flexibility where you can adjust how much you pay. Also, some can be used to augment your retirement.
There are a few different types of universal life, such as:
- Guaranteed universal life
- Variable premium universal life
- Indexed universal life
Each type has its pros and cons.
For example, guaranteed universal life guarantees that the policy cannot prematurely expire or increase in cost. However, you cannot adjust your payments the way you can with a flexible premium UL policy.
The main difference between whole and universal life is the guarantees.
Whole life has iron-clad guarantees that your premium, death benefit, and policy will never change (even if you withdraw the cash value).
Universal life does not come with these guarantees.
A UL plan (regardless of which one) will always cost about 15-30% less than whole life.
But is a moderately lower rate worth the potential that the policy ends later in life?
If yes, then consider a UL. If not, then opt for whole life.
How To Qualify For A Whole Life Policy
There are a few different ways to qualify for a life insurance policy. Which method you select will determine the application process and how good of a price you receive.
Simplified issue
A simplified issue plan is also commonly called a “No-Exam” policy.
Eligibility is based on your answers to questions about your health history. You don’t have to provide a blood or urine sample.
The insurer will also analyze your driving record and prescription history.
Simplified issue plans typically offer underwriting decisions within 15 minutes to a few business days.
The coverage options are very small. These can go as low as $5,000 or $10,000.
Fully underwritten
A fully underwritten policy requires that you undergo a medical exam. Additionally, the insurer will order copies of all your medical records.
At the exam appointment, a nurse will gather the following:
- Answers to health questions
- Urine and blood samples
- Blood pressure reading
- Height and weight measurement
With all this data and your family history, they will determine if you’re approved, what rate class you qualify and the exact price you’ll pay.
The most significant upside to fully underwritten policies is the price. It can lead to the best rates compared to the other underwriting options.
The downside is the application time. It typically takes one to three months to complete fully.
Also, the coverage amount minimums are much higher on fully underwritten plans. A fully underwritten type of life insurance policy will usually require you to buy at least $100,000 in coverage.
Guaranteed acceptance
Most funeral insurance companies offer guaranteed acceptance coverage which has no health underwriting.
There are medical exams or health questions to answer. Your acceptance is guaranteed.
You’d have to live for more than two years before your family can receive a death benefit payout.
In addition, these plans are also much more expensive. The insurer is taking a considerable risk insuring your life while not knowing anything about your health. That higher risk translates to higher premiums.
Guaranteed issue whole life insurance is typically only ideal for people with dire medical conditions with a low life expectancy, such as congestive heart failure or end-stage renal failure.
Also, remember that most companies offering these questionless policies cap the coverage at $25,000, which may not be enough to satisfy your life insurance needs.
How Do Limited Pay Whole Life Policies Work?
A limited pay whole life policy stipulates that you pay for a specific period of time.
After you’ve made all the required payments, the policy becomes “paid-up,” and no further premiums are required.
Once paid up, your policy will last indefinitely without contributing more money.
Not every company offers limited-pay options, but many of them do.
Here are the typical limited-pay options:
- 7 Pay
- 10 Pay
- 20 Pay
- Paid up at age 65
- Paid up at age 80
Any whole life policy that is not limited-pay is considered “life-pay,” which means you pay forever.
On the one hand, limited-pay options are great because your payments eventually stop.
However, the cost of the average life insurance policy with a limited-pay feature is typically 2-3 times higher than life-pay policy options.
Frequently Asked Questions
The average cost of life insurance varies based on your age, gender, health, and the amount of coverage. That said, a $25,000 whole life policy for a 30-year-old female will cost about $30 monthly or $40 for a male. A 40-year-old female will pay about $45 and $54 for a male. A 50-year-old female will pay about $55 and $71 for a male.
Premiums are based on your exact age, health, state of residence, tobacco usage (if any), gender, coverage amount, and whether or not you take a medical exam.
Whole life insurance (with all insurance providers) has a fixed premium that cannot increase over time. On the other hand, many term life policies have a rate increase as you get older. For example, if you look at an AARP term life rates chart, you’ll see how the policy has a cost increase every five years.
Generally speaking, final expense, simplified issue, and guaranteed acceptance whole life policies don’t require a medical exam. However, fully underwritten plans surely will.
Yes. Most children’s life insurance policies are whole life. However, how much life insurance you can purchase for a child is typically much less than what you can buy for an adult.
