Is it worth getting life insurance at 28?

Asked by: Adan Ward DVM  |  Last update: January 25, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (69 votes)

Generally, the younger and healthier you are when buying life insurance, the more money you'll save. As we age, we're at increased risk of developing health conditions, which can result in higher mortality rates and higher life insurance rates. You'll typically pay less for life insurance at age 25 than at age 40.

Should a 28 year old get life insurance?

Generally speaking you should only buy a life insurance policy to protect anyone who is dependent on your income to live. That said, buying when you are young is less expensive and as you age and possibly develop health issue you may become uninsurable.

Does it make sense to get life insurance in your 20s?

Key Takeaways. If you're in your 20s, you may not think you need life insurance since you're young and likely to be more healthy, but those factors can actually make it more attractive to buy now. Life insurance premiums are cheaper when you buy your policy at a younger age.

What age should you start paying for life insurance?

In accordance with the “get a life insurance policy while you're young and healthy,” mentality, the 20's would be the ideal age. Many young people think that they don't need a life insurance policy, and it's not difficult to see why.

At what point is life insurance not worth it?

If you have no dependents, lots of money, and no estate that needs liquidity, then you don't need life insurance unless you need it for business purposes. In general, if you have no children or others you're financially supporting, most people don't need life insurance.

How Much Term Insurance Do I Need?

40 related questions found

When should you no longer carry life insurance?

At What Age Is Life Insurance No Longer Needed? Life insurance is no longer needed for many people once they reach their 60s or 70s. At this point they have retired, their kids have grown up, and they've paid off their mortgage and other debts.

What is the downside of life insurance?

Cons of life insurance

One disadvantage of life insurance is that the older you are, the more you'll pay for a policy. This is because you're more likely to pass away during the policy period than a younger policyholder and will, in turn, cost the life insurance company more money.

Should a 30 year old get life insurance?

Generally, the younger and healthier you are when buying life insurance, the more money you'll save. As we age, we're at increased risk of developing health conditions, which can result in higher mortality rates and higher life insurance rates. You'll typically pay less for life insurance at age 25 than at age 40.

What does Dave Ramsey recommend for life insurance?

Core Ramsey Teaching: You only need life insurance while you have people depending on your income. Buy a 10–20-year term policy worth 10–12 times your annual income. Since life insurance is only for the short-term, you should only buy term life insurance. (Hence the name.)

How long do you have to have life insurance before it pays out?

Insurance companies can delay payment for six to 12 months if the insured party dies within the first two years of the policy.

Can you cash out life insurance?

You can cash out a life insurance policy. How much money you get for it will depend on the amount of cash value held in it. If you have, say $10,000 of accumulated cash value, you would be entitled to withdraw up to all of that amount (less any surrender fees). At that point, however, your policy would be terminated.

What kind of life insurance should a 25 year old have?

Most experts recommend term life insurance for cheap and straightforward coverage, but the right policy for you will depend on your overall financial situation. Term life insurance, unlike permanent life insurance, provides coverage for a fixed amount of time, usually 10, 20 or 30 years.

What age buys the most life insurance?

Gen X (ages 44-59) and Baby Boomer (ages 60-78) claim the highest percentage of ownership at 55 percent and 57 percent, respectfully. Millennial and Gen X generations are significantly more likely to own term life insurance when compared to younger and older generations.

Why is my insurance so high at 28?

Age is one of the most important factors in determining your car insurance rate. This may seem unfair because there are good drivers in every age group, but younger drivers are generally more likely to have accidents or take risks on the road.

What happens if you don't have life insurance?

What Happens If You Have No Life Insurance? Those without life insurance may pass away with financial obligations such as debts and unpaid bills that become the responsibility of their heirs. Their heirs would also need to pay for your final expenses out-of-pocket.

What insurance should a single person have?

Home or property insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, health insurance, and automobile insurance are five types that everyone should have.

Why millionaires are buying life insurance?

Life insurance purchased by wealthy people and businesses is often used as a vehicle for providing liquidity, reducing financial liabilities, and reducing their tax profile.

Is term or whole life better?

It depends on your needs and wants. If you only need life insurance for a relatively short period of time (such as while you have minor children to raise), term life may be better because the premiums are more affordable. If you need permanent coverage that lasts your entire life, whole life is likely preferred.

Do you pay taxes on life insurance?

Generally, life insurance proceeds you receive as a beneficiary due to the death of the insured person, aren't includable in gross income and you don't have to report them. However, any interest you receive is taxable and you should report it as interest received.

Should a 27 year old have life insurance?

Life insurance for young people is a particularly good idea if you have dependents who rely on your income, you have a lot of debt, or you want to lock in lower premiums while you're young and generally healthy.

What is a $5 million dollar life insurance policy?

What is a $5 million dollar life insurance policy? A $5 million life insurance policy pays out a death benefit of $5 million to its designated beneficiaries. This high coverage amount is typically chosen by individuals who have significant financial responsibilities or want to ensure they leave a lasting legacy behind.

What is the cash value of a $10,000 life insurance policy?

Say, for example, that you purchase an insurance policy with a face value of $10,000. Once the policy matures, the cash value of the policy should equal $10,000.

When should you not buy life insurance?

You may not need life insurance for a number of reasons, such as if you don't need to provide for someone after your death, if you have no room in your budget for premium payments, or if you have other plans to financially support your loved ones.

What are 2 disadvantages of whole life insurance?

A more complex product than term life insurance. Higher premiums than term life insurance. Could be costly if coverage lapses early.

Is it better to save or have life insurance?

Using this very simple example of the most typical use of life insurance against a similar amount paid into a basic savings account, it is easy to see that for at least the first two decades, the life insurance policy provides a far better level of security than savings.