Should a 70 year old have life insurance?

Asked by: Tom Jenkins  |  Last update: August 27, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (5 votes)

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.

Is life insurance worth it at age 70?

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. The simple fact is that just about everyone has someone who loves them, depends on them or both.

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.

Is whole life insurance worth it 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 be received by your beneficiary, no matter when you pass.

How Old is Too Old to Have Whole Life Insurance? | Wealth Nation

44 related questions found

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 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.

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.

How many years is best for life insurance?

For example, if you have a 34 year mortgage, you could take out life insurance for 34 years. If you have children, you may want to have cover in place until the youngest is likely to be financially independent, up to age 18, for example, or longer if you would like to account for higher education.

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.

What is the best life insurance for seniors?

The best life insurance companies for seniors at a glance

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

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 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.

At what age is it too late to get 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 is the best medical insurance for seniors?

Medicare. Medicare is a federally funded insurance program for eligible participants 65 or over. Medicare has two parts, Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance). Medicare does not cover 100% of all costs.

At what age should you cancel life insurance?

Typically, the benefits of getting rid of your life insurance policy kick in once you qualify for a life settlement. This happens when you're at least 65 years old at the earliest.

What is the 7 year rule for life insurance?

(2) A contract fails to meet the 7-pay test if the accumulated amount paid under the contract at any time during the first 7 contract years exceeds the sum of the net level premiums which would have to be paid on or before such time if the contract were to provide for paid-up "future benefits" (as defined in 7702A(e)(3 ...

What is a good life insurance amount?

Many pundits recommend buying life insurance equal to a multiple of your salary. For example, one financial advice columnist recommends buying insurance equal to 20 times your salary before taxes.

Does life insurance end at age 70?

While it is unlikely, even "permanent" life insurance policies can expire if you reach a certain age. It's called maturing, and depending on your policy, it could happen at age 95, 100, or even 121.

When should you not buy 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 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.

How much is a $50,000 life insurance from Colonial Penn?

Colonial Penn term life insurance review

For example, a woman who purchases $50,000 of coverage would pay: $35.21/month between the ages of 41 and 45. $45.21/month between the ages of 46 and 50. $56.46/month between the ages of 51 and 55.

What are the 3 P's of life insurance?

A television commercial selling life insurance speaks about three Ps that all focus on one aspect of their policies… price, price and price. It is an easily understood and remembered sales tool, although the substance, value and need for the product is not included in the tag line.

What's the catch with Colonial Penn life insurance?

The policy has a waiting period, which means the full life insurance death benefit won't be paid out if the insured person dies during the first two years of taking out a policy. Whole life insurance. In New York, Colonial Penn offers whole life insurance to men ages 50 to 73 and women ages 50 to 75.