Northwestern Mutual Term 80 Review (2024)

Northwestern Mutual Term 80 Explained

Northwestern Mutual's Term 80 product is an annual renewable term life insurance policy that lasts until the policy holder reaches 80 years of age. The premiums increase each year and can get very expensive as the insured gets older. The policy does have a conversion option to whole life insurance without evidence of insurability. Annual renewable term life insurance is designed to cover short-term insurance needs.

Pros

  • Lower initial premium
  • Northwestern Mutual is A++ Rated
  • Conversion option to whole life
  • Available in all 50 states

Is Term 80 Worth It?

The Term 80 annual renewable term life insurance policy from Northwestern Mutual is typically not worth it for most people. Instead, a level term life insurance with fixed rate is a better option.

While Northwestern Mutual is one of best life insurance companies in the United States, their Term 80 product is not a competitive policy compared to the level term life insurance policies available from other highly rated companies that also have offer a conversion option.

Northwestern Mutual Term 80 Review (1)

Term 80 Northwestern Mutual

NW Mutual Term 80 is a term life insurance policy with a rate that increases each year on the policy anniversary date.

For those in their 20's and 30's the initial rates can be affordable. However, once the insured reaches their 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's the rate becomes very expensive.

Term 80 Life Insurance

Northwestern Mutual Term 80 is an annual renewable term life insurance policy that offers coverage until the insured reaches 80 years old. The premiums increase each year and can become very expensive as the insured gets older.

Level Term Life Insurance

Level term life insurance is a policy where the coverage amount and premiums are fixed for the term (10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 or 40 years) and cannot change regardless of changes in age or health. The policy can be canceled at anytime without a penalty by the policyholder.

Term 80 Life Insurance Alternatives

Below are term life insurance alternatives available on the open market compared to the NW Mutual Term 80 annual renewable policy:

  • 10 Year Level Term
  • 15 Year Level Term
  • 20 Year Level Term
  • 25 Year Level Term
  • 30 Year Level Term
  • 35 Year Level Term
  • 40 Year Level Term

Level term life insurance is defined as the coverage amount and premium are both fixed for the term selected. Also, the policy can be cancelled at anytime without a penalty.

NW Mutual Term 80 vs Level 30

Below are the sample monthly rates by age for a $500,000 30 year level (fixed) term policy from one of the largest life insurance companies in the country. Compare the premiums below to the NW Mutual Term 80 annual renewable rates.

Age

Price

Amount

Rating

Term

25

$28

$500,000

A+ Superior

30 Year

30

$29

$500,000

A+ Superior

30 Year

35

$34

$500,000

A+ Superior

30 Year

40

$50

$500,000

A+ Superior

30 Year

45

$78

$500,000

A+ Superior

30 Year

50

$127

$500,000

A+ Superior

30 Year

55

$231

$500,000

A+ Superior

30 Year

*Rates for a male in excellent health, D.O.B. 3/1 with an A+ Superior rated carrier.

NW Mutual Term 80 vs Level 20

Below are the sample monthly rates by age for a $1,000,000 20 year level (fixed) term policy from one of the largest life insurance companies in the country. Compare the premiums below to the NW Mutual Term 80 annual renewable rates.

Age

Price

Amount

Rating

Term

25

$30

$1,000,000

A+ Superior

20 Year

30

$30

$1,000,000

A+ Superior

20 Year

35

$33

$1,000,000

A+ Superior

20 Year

40

$49

$1,000,000

A+ Superior

20 Year

45

$86

$1,000,000

A+ Superior

20 Year

50

$132

$1,000,000

A+ Superior

20 Year

55

$221

$1,000,000

A+ Superior

20 Year

60

$387

$1,000,000

A+ Superior

20 Year

*Rates for a male in excellent health, D.O.B. 3/1 with an A+ Superior rated carrier.

NW Mutual Term 80 vs Level 10

Below are the sample monthly rates by age for a $250,000 10 year level (fixed) term policy from one of the largest life insurance companies in the country. Compare these rates to the NW Mutual Term 80 annual policy prices that are not fixed.

Age

Price

Amount

Rating

Term

25

$10

$250,000

A+ Superior

10 Year

30

$10

$250,000

A+ Superior

10 Year

35

$10

$250,000

A+ Superior

10 Year

40

$12

$250,000

A+ Superior

10 Year

45

$17

$250,000

A+ Superior

10 Year

50

$24

$250,000

A+ Superior

10 Year

55

$37

$250,000

A+ Superior

10 Year

60

$58

$250,000

A+ Superior

10 Year

65

$100

$250,000

A+ Superior

10 Year

70

$175

$250,000

A+ Superior

10 Year

75

$332

$250,000

A+ Superior

10 Year

*Rates for a male in excellent health, D.O.B. 3/1 with an A+ Superior rated carrier.

Conclusion

Northwestern Mutual is the largest life insurance company in the United States in 2023. NW Mutual is also the highest rated life insurance company (as well as New York Life) in the country with an A++ financial rating from A.M. Best and a perfect 100 Comdex score.

While Northwestern Mutual is an excellent choice for whole life insurance, their term life insurance rates are often more expensive then other Superior rated companies.

The Northwestern Mutual Term 80 product is an annual renewable term life insurance policy that lasts until the insured reaches the age of 80. However, the drawback of the Term 80 life insurance policy is the increasing premium each year as the rates are not fixed. This can become very expensive, especially when the insured reaches their 40’s and 50’s.

A much better option for most people is to secure a “level” term life insurance policy with a fixed term for: 10 years, 15 years, 20 years, 25 years, 30 year, 35 years or 40 years, depending on your needs and goals. Similar to the NW Mutual term policy, most companies offer a conversion option to permanent insurance as well as the option to cancel anytime without a penalty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “level” term life insurance mean?

Level term life insurance means the rates and coverage amount are fixed for the term selected and cannot change regardless of changes in age or health until the term expires.

Is there a penalty to cancel a level term life insurance before the term expires?

No, you can cancel a level term life insurance policy at anytime without a penalty. The insurance company will lock in the rate for the term selected and the insured can cancel at anytime.

What is the difference between Northwestern Mutual Term to Age 80 compared to Level Term 10, Level Term 20 or Level Term 30 to age 95?

The majority of level term life insurance policies allow the policy to continue up until the insured reaches the age of 90 or age 95 even after the term ends. However, the rate does typically increase significantly when the original term expires. The Northwestern Mutual Term to Age 80 policy offers coverage to 80 years old, however the rate is not fixed and increases each year.

Is term life insurance taxed?

Term life insurance proceeds are generally income tax free, unless the estate has a high-net worth and subject to estate taxes.

What is a “Superior” rating from A.M. Best mean?

A.M. Best is the preeminent rating agency for life insurance companies. The highest rating category is ‘Superior’ which includes A++ and A+ rated companies. Both are graded to have a superior ability to meet their ongoing insurance obligations to policyholders.

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Northwestern Mutual Term 80 Review (2024)

FAQs

What is a term 80 policy with Northwestern Mutual? ›

Annual renewable term life insurance gives you coverage at a lower initial cost, but the premiums will increase every year as you get older. Term 80 is our longest coverage term that lasts until age 80. Term 10 is our most affordable coverage that lasts for up to 10 years.

What does term life 80 mean? ›

What is Term 80 life insurance? Term 80 life insurance guarantees your beneficiaries a payment if you die before you turn 80.

What is the Northwestern Mutual controversy? ›

In 2015, claims were brought against Northwestern Mutual for illegally changing how it calculated dividends on deferred, fixed annuities, reducing yearly payouts to 4000 current and 29,000 former annuity owners. The change had been made in 1985. Northwestern agreed to pay $84 million dollars to settle the lawsuit.

Can Northwestern Mutual be trusted? ›

Northwestern Mutual is the largest life insurance company in the United States and has an excellent financial strength rating. It offers all major types of coverage: Term, whole, universal and variable universal life.

What happens to term life insurance when you turn 80? ›

Term life insurance options are very limited (and very expensive) for seniors over 80. There are only a few companies that offer them, and those that do require a health exam. The longest term you can buy is usually 10 years, and if you outlive the policy, you won't receive the death benefit.

Can you borrow from a term 80 life insurance policy? ›

Term life insurance, does not have a cash value, so you cannot borrow from these policies. The funds you borrow are tax-free, but there are typically interest payments.

What are the disadvantages of term life insurance? ›

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.

At what age should you stop term life insurance? ›

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.

Do you get money back on term life? ›

Another reason companies are able keep term life premiums lower is that premiums are almost never refunded. This is normally the case even if you cancel your policy. So in most cases you shouldn't expect any money back after your term expires.

Why are advisors leaving Northwestern Mutual? ›

These advisors were seeking “something more,” such as: The desire to move away from a “sales-driven, insurance-first” culture to one that puts a less limiting wealth management ethos first. Access to more modern technology, better trading tools and the products and services that appeal to higher net worth clients.

Who is Northwestern Mutual's biggest competitor? ›

Northwestern Mutual's top competitors include New York Life Insurance Company, Meanwhile, and PocketNest. New York Life Insurance Company operates as a financial services firm in the insurance and investment sectors. The company offers a range of insurance products includin…

What is the turnover rate at Northwestern Mutual? ›

Northwestern Mutual is one of the most admired company's in the field of Life Insurance. Their training program is one of the best in the industry and the income potential is unlimited. The turnover rate (above 80%) is high for a reason.

Can I take my money out of Northwestern Mutual? ›

You can make withdrawals and transfers to another income plan at any time at no charge. The current interest rate is payable for the calendar year and may change annually, as determined by Northwestern Mutual. The interest rate will never be lower than the guaranteed rate specified in your contract.

Is Northwestern Mutual good on a resume? ›

- College Financial Representative Northwestern Mutual Employee Review. The company does a great job putting you through a training program and getting you excited about the opportunity. The company is very financially solid and job security seems high.

How does Northwestern Mutual rank as a Financial Advisor? ›

In April, 134 Northwestern Mutual financial advisors were recognized on Forbes' Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list. Additionally, Financial Advisor magazine ranked Northwestern Mutual Investment Services as the sixth largest independent-broker dealer by 2022 revenue.

What are the odds of a term policy paying out? ›

In fact, a study done by Penn State University indicates that 99 percent of all term policies never pay out a death benefit. However, that's because most term policyholders don't pay their premiums and let their policies lapse, not because they outlive the policy term, according to Entrepreneur.

What does term policy cover? ›

Term insurance is a type of life insurance that provides coverage for a specific period of time. Beneficiaries receive a death benefit if the insured person dies during the policy term.

What happens to my term life insurance if the term runs out? ›

Generally, when term life insurance expires, the policy simply expires, and no action needs to be taken by the policyholder. A notice is sent by the insurance carrier that the policy is no longer in effect, the policyholder stops paying the premiums, and there is no longer any potential death benefit.

At what age should you stop paying term life insurance? ›

If retirement savings, investments and Social Security are enough to provide for final expenses and your survivors who still rely on your income—you may not need life insurance in your 60s. In some situations, however, having life insurance after 60 makes sense.

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