Is life insurance worth it after 70?

Asked by: Harrison Robel  |  Last update: June 16, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (17 votes)

You could need life insurance in retirement if you want to cover your final expenses and estate taxes, have outstanding debt, still earn income, or want to provide a tax-free inheritance to your loved ones. Otherwise, you probably do not need life insurance after retirement.

Is it worth having life insurance after 70?

Life insurance can be a useful financial tool for seniors over 70 to provide loved ones with a payout in the event of their passing. Many policy types are available, including some with no medical exam, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help seniors qualify for lower premiums.

At what age should you stop having life insurance?

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.

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.

What is the best life insurance for seniors over 70?

The best life insurance companies for seniors at a glance

MassMutual: Best for elderly applicants. Northwestern Mutual: Best for the potential to earn dividends. New York Life: Best coverage range. USAA: Best for coverage flexibility.

Best Life Insurance For Seniors Over 60, 70, 80 | Should i Buy?

25 related questions found

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

We offer Guaranteed acceptance whole life insurance for those ages 50-85 (in most states) with options starting at $9.95 a month—ease the burden of final expenses and get back to living life on your terms. Colonial Penn's® popular guaranteed acceptance whole life insurance coverage rates are offered in units.

How much does life insurance cost for a 75 year old?

A healthy man over 75 can find a whole life insurance policy for about $2,000 a month and a woman will pay about $1,800 per month. But if you're not healthy, you should look at two other types of insurance over 75. The first is guaranteed universal life insurance.

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.)

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.

What's better, whole life or term life insurance?

Choosing between term and whole life insurance comes down to how long you want coverage and how much you can afford. Term life is more affordable but lasts only for a set period of time. On the other hand, whole life insurance tends to have higher premiums but never expires.

How long do you need 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.

Is 67 too old for life insurance?

Yes, you can get life insurance if you're over 60. Finding an affordable policy will be key, so make sure you explore all of your options.

What happens if you outlive your term life insurance?

No, with a standard term life insurance policy, you won't be receive anything back if you outlive your life insurance. So, what happens at the end of your term life insurance? Your life insurance will simply expire and you can either take out a new policy or look into other types of financial protection.

At what age does life insurance not make sense?

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.

When should you stop buying life insurance?

For most people, a term life insurance policy should last as long as your major financial obligations, like the length of your mortgage or until your kids are old enough to support themselves financially.

How much a month is a $500,000 whole life insurance policy?

How much does whole life insurance cost? A $500,000 whole life insurance policy costs an average of $451 per month for a 30-year-old non-smoker in good health. If you get whole life insurance, the premiums you'll pay may vary based on factors like your age, health, gender, and the type of policy you get.

What does Suze Orman think about life insurance?

With that in mind, in my opinion, the only type of life insurance that makes sense is term, which is good for a specific period of time. The premium is based on your age, gender, health, the death benefit desired, and the term.

Who should not get life insurance?

If you have no financial obligations at your death, have no spouse or dependents that rely on your income now or in the future, or you own no property or business that would need to be purchased at your death by your business partners or liquidated for income needs, then you may not need life insurance.

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.

What type of insurance does Suze Orman recommend?

One of my key life insurance rules is this: Stick with term life insurance. Unless you have someone in your family with special needs, there is typically no need to buy whole life, or universal life, which are referred to as “permanent” policies and cost a lot more.

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.

What's the best type of life insurance to have?

A whole life policy is generally considered the most secure form of insurance. Whole life policies have more rigid premium payment requirements than universal life policies. As long as scheduled premium payments are paid, the cash value is guaranteed to increase each year.

Is 70 too old for life insurance?

Whole life insurance policies may be easier to obtain than term life insurance, even when you're older. Many life insurance companies sell new policies to applicants up to age 85 or 90. Your need for life insurance may be less if you don't have any debt or dependents who rely on your income.

What type of life insurance is best for seniors?

Whole life insurance is another great option for seniors that will provide coverage for the entire life cycle of a policyholder. Unlike term life insurance, the benefits of whole life insurance will typically be payable to your beneficiary, no matter the timing of your passing.

Does life insurance get taxed?

Answer: 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.