Generally, as people get older in life and begin to move into retirement age and beyond, things change. Your children are likely grown and you have less debt to worry about. However, for some seniors, life insurance is still something they want to consider to cover burial costs or to leave behind financial protection for loved ones.
Here's what you need to know about life insurance so you can determine if it's right for your needs.
What is life insurance for seniors?
Life insurance for seniors isn't one type of policy, but more of a broad term that describes different types of life insurance policies that seniors may consider.
Some common examples include insurance to cover your burial and final expenses. As the costs of funeral and burial expenses rise, many seniors take out a policy to cover them so that their loved ones don't have to pay for the costs.
This type of life insurance can provide an extra layer of coverage to older Americans, especially if you have a term life insurance policy that could run out at age 70, for example.
What kinds of life insurance policies might seniors consider?
- Traditional life insurance — If you are in good health and under a certain age, you may qualify for a term life insurance policy. For many seniors, this type of life insurance policy is attractive because of its flexible term benefit limits (some as low as $10,000), term lengths (as short as 10-years), and additional policy riders to enhance your coverage. If you’re a senior looking for options to cover final expenses and outstanding medical bills while leaving something for the next generation, a term policy may be a good option for you.
- Simplified issue policy — If you have medical conditions that could make it difficult for you to qualify for a traditional life insurance policy, or if you've been turned down for coverage in the past, this may be a good option. A simplified issue policy allows you to apply for coverage and bypass the medical exam — however, premiums tend to be higher.
- Guaranteed issue policy — A guaranteed issue policy will provide some amount of coverage. The only requirement for this policy is that you pay your premiums on time. However, because there are no qualifications, premiums tend to be substantially higher than other life insurance policies.
Frequently asked questions about life insurance for seniors
With so many coverage options available today, it may be difficult to choose a policy that can meet your specific needs while also ensuring that your loved ones will be protected. Here are a few frequently asked questions to consider when shopping for a policy.
How do I qualify for coverage?
In the case of final expense life insurance, policies are typically offered two ways: simplified or guaranteed issue policies. Even though you might not need to complete a full medical exam, you will likely need to answer a medical questionnaire with your application, which will play a role in determining your rates.
How much senior life insurance coverage do I need?
Today, the average funeral costs nearly $8,000. Additional costs can vary depending on the type of funeral and burial you'd like. If you want to have a service and viewing that goes beyond most basic funeral service packages, you'll need to cover those costs.
So, it might not hurt to consider the type of funeral and burial you'd like, and even contact your local funeral home to discuss potential costs.
Do I really need senior life insurance?
While many seniors may consider these policies, they are not for everyone. Depending on your needs, you might have other ways to pay for these final expenses, such as:
- Having the available funds set aside for your final expenses
- Having made pre-paid arrangements with a funeral home
- As you age, you may start to think about the costs associated with your final expenses. You may also start to worry about leaving this financial burden to your spouse and other loved ones.
Are there affordable life insurance options for seniors?
Finding life insurance after a certain age can become rather pricy. Here are three ways that may be able to help you access coverage more affordably.
- Opt-in for group coverage at work — If you are still working, check with your employer to see what type of group life insurance plan is available to you. It may not be much, but if you're looking for final expense coverage, this could be the ticket. Moreover, these types of life insurance policies typically don't require any medical exam or underwriting, and can be relatively inexpensive.
- Get a lot of quotes — Insurance companies are all different. Based on your age, health, and other factors, one company may see you as more of a risk compared to another. Don't let one life insurance company's sky-high rates prevent you getting the coverage you need. Get a variety of quotes from reputable companies and compare rates apples to apples.
- Consider senior organizations — Certain advocacy organizations such as the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC), provide their senior members with access to a variety of insurance types, including life. Many offer no medical exam life insurance policies.
Getting a life insurance policy can help cover these costs and provide some peace of mind knowing your loved ones will have the funds to pay for your funeral during a stressful time.
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