Is term life insurance a good choice for seniors? (2024)

FAQs

Is term life insurance a good choice for seniors? ›

Term life insurance can typically provide higher coverage amounts than no-medical exam option life insurance for older people. If you die during the policy term, term life insurance can provide a significant death benefit for your beneficiaries that will help them achieve their goals and fulfill their dreams.

As an older adult, the best life insurance policy for you is the one that fits your financial goals and physical health. A term life policy may fit the bill If you're a healthy adult in your 60s with few time-sensitive financial obligations.

Life insurance is no longer needed for many people once they reach their 60s or 70s. At this point they retire, their kids have grown up, and they've paid off their mortgage and other debts. However, others prefer to keep life insurance later in life to leave an inheritance and to pay off final expenses.

That's why Orman says it's best to set up a term life insurance policy that will remain in effect until your children reach early adulthood. In fact, in a recent podcast episode, Orman suggested getting life insurance that will last until your kids reach age 23 or 24.

The bottom line. Life insurance is a smart idea for most seniors. That's especially the case if you have a spouse, lack plans to cover end-of-life costs or don't have a long-term care insurance policy.

Term Life insurance Cons: If you outlive the term length, your coverage will end and you won't receive any benefits. You will not be covered your entire lifetime and your policy will not accumulate cash value like an investment account does.

When is term life insurance not worth it? Term life insurance probably isn't worth the costs if you don't have any significant debts to pass on to your loved ones or you don't have dependents or a spouse that you'd leave in a bind by passing away.

Many people in their 60s and 70s may no longer need life insurance. They may have already paid off the house, stopped working, sent the kids off to care for themselves or accumulated enough assets to offset the need for life insurance. But sometimes buying or maintaining a life insurance policy over age 60 makes sense.

Coverage changes

Once you turn 70, the Optional Term Life Insurance you continued at retirement reduces to a percentage of the amount you had before you turned 70. For example, at age 70, you will only receive 65% of the amount of coverage you elected before you turned 70.

What does Colonial Penn give you for $9.95 a month? ›

A unit of Colonial Penn coverage is the life insurance benefit amount you receive for $9.95 per month. Your age and gender determine the exact amount of insurance coverage a single unit provides. The older you are, the more units you will need to purchase in order to get an adequate death benefit.

Life insurance for those over age 70

You may, however, want to leave a legacy to your loved ones. With this in mind, a permanent policy would be a good option. But remember that the cost of these policies tend to increase with age. Another option would be to consider a policy to cover final expenses.

Best overall: Medicare

Medicare is the best health insurance option for seniors and retirees. Medicare is the cheapest health insurance with the best benefits for people age 65 and older or who have a qualifying disability.

Terms may apply to offers listed on this page. Like most financial experts, Dave Ramsey recommends term life insurance over whole life insurance. Whole life is significantly more expensive and unnecessary for most people. Opt for term life instead and use the money you save on premium costs to invest.

Term insurance is most appropriate for young and healthy families with significant, temporary financial needs that must be covered should the family's breadwinner pass away. However, anyone with a temporary financial need for life insurance protection can benefit from term life coverage.

Making Money by Selling Insurance Products

A financial advisor who makes a living through commissions has a strong financial incentive to include life insurance, as some insurance companies pay rather well for selling their products.

While seniors can typically buy any policy they'd like up until age 85 or 90, popular choices are guaranteed issue, simplified issue and burial insurance. These policies typically have lower death benefit amounts and higher premiums relative to the death benefit.

At the end of the term, it expires. If you still need coverage after, you can convert your policy into permanent insurance or buy a new term life policy. If you have fewer financial obligations, you may buy a new policy with a lower coverage amount — for example, just to pay for end-of-life expenses.