Updated: September 8, 2025
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Life insurance gets more expensive with age. Health changes can limit your options and buying early locks in long-term savings.
Your age isn’t the only thing that matters. Big life changes like getting married, having kids, starting a business, or taking on debt are all signs it’s time to consider life insurance.
Term life is usually the most affordable option when you're young, while permanent life insurance may be better if you want lifelong coverage or plan to build cash value over time.
The best age to get life insurance is usually in your 20s or 30s, when you're young, healthy and premiums are at their lowest. Buying early locks in lower rates for the long term and gives you access to more policy options.
As you age, premiums increase and coverage may become harder to qualify for, especially if health issues arise. In the sections below, we break down how life insurance works at different ages and life stages so you can find the right time to buy based on your needs.
Your 20s and 30s are often the best time to buy life insurance. At this age, you're usually in good health, which means lower premiums and more flexible policy options, especially if you choose term life insurance.
Getting coverage in your 20s allows you to lock in rates before any health changes and build a safety net as your responsibilities grow. If you're planning for future milestones like starting a family or buying a home, it's smart to secure protection while costs are low.
Here are the key advantages and potential drawbacks of getting life insurance while you're young:
Starting early gives you more control, more value and fewer barriers, and can make a major difference in both cost and coverage over time.
| 10 years | $6 | $70 |
| 15 years | $7 | $86 |
| 20 years | $9 | $107 |
| 25 years | $12 | $148 |
| 30 years | $15 | $176 |
| 35 years | $18 | $219 |
| 40 years | $26 | $313 |
*Rates are for term life insurance policies for nonsmokers of different ages with average weight and health rating based on MoneyGeek's 2025 survey of major insurers. Actual rates may vary based on individual circumstances, health status and insurer underwriting guidelines.
People in their 40s and 50s typically juggle peak financial responsibilities, from supporting children to planning for retirement. The right life insurance strategy helps protect everything you've built while planning for the future. At this stage, life insurance decisions should balance affordability with long-term protection.
While term life policies may still be cost-effective, many people begin considering permanent life insurance for its lifetime coverage and cash value features. Checking whole life insurance rates by age chart and universal life insurance rates by age helps you understand these policies' long-term value and costs.
Permanent life insurance offers both a safety net and a potential financial asset for your future. These rate charts also help determine the best life insurance for 40-year-olds or best life insurance for 50-year-olds.
Here are pros and cons of buying life insurance in your 40s and 50s:
Whether you’re reassessing your existing coverage or buying for the first time, using age-based rate comparisons can help you secure the right policy without overpaying.
| 10 years | $10 | $117 |
| 15 years | $12 | $144 |
| 20 years | $15 | $181 |
| 25 years | $19 | $230 |
| 30 years | $25 | $297 |
| 35 years | $28 | $338 |
| 40 years | $41 | $497 |
*Rates are for term life insurance policies for nonsmokers of different ages with average weight and health rating based on MoneyGeek's 2025 survey of major insurers. Actual rates may vary based on individual circumstances, health status and insurer underwriting guidelines.
Life insurance over 60 often comes with fewer options and higher premiums, but it's still possible to secure meaningful coverage, especially for estate planning or final expenses. At this age, insurers place more weight on your health and financial profile, which makes choosing the right policy even more important.
For those with health issues or difficulty qualifying through traditional underwriting, guaranteed issue life insurance offers a no-exam option with a simplified application. While coverage amounts are smaller and premiums higher, it provides access to benefits when other policies may be out of reach.
If you're over 60, buying life insurance takes careful planning. However, the right policy can still protect your legacy and provide peace of mind for your loved ones.
| 10 years | $54 | $644 |
| 15 years | $63 | $754 |
| 20 years | $81 | $967 |
*Rates are for term life insurance policies for nonsmokers of different ages with average weight and health rating based on MoneyGeek's 2025 survey of major insurers. Actual rates may vary based on individual circumstances, health status and insurer underwriting guidelines.
Getting life insurance while young often leads to lower premiums and better coverage options, capitalizing on good health and long-term planning. But you should consider your unique financial situation, life stage and future needs.
Consulting with a professional may help tailor a policy that fits your individual circumstances, ensuring that you have the right coverage at the right time.
Your health directly impacts premium costs and coverage eligibility as you age. People in their 20s and early 30s typically pass life insurance medical exams easily since health markers like blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar often remain within healthy ranges. Moving into your 40s and 50s, conditions like hypertension, elevated cholesterol and prediabetes become more common, directly affecting insurability and increasing premiums.
Many professionals rely on employer-provided life insurance, which usually equals one to two times their annual salary. This coverage has significant drawbacks: the benefit amount is often insufficient for long-term needs, and coverage typically ends when you leave your job.
Buying individual coverage at a younger age helps fill these gaps by locking in lower premiums and providing portable protection. Waiting until later in life to apply means facing higher costs and potential health obstacles that might limit your options.
Your life stage determines the type and amount of life insurance you need. As your responsibilities evolve, so do your financial risks, and your coverage should keep pace.
Key life milestones where getting life insurance makes sense include:
Marriage brings shared financial goals and shared financial risk. The right policy ensures your spouse is protected from unexpected burdens like joint debts or lost income. Life insurance for couples helps build a secure foundation, giving both partners peace of mind about the future.
Having children adds long-term responsibilities like education, childcare and daily expenses. Life insurance creates a financial safety net, ensuring your children's needs are covered even if you're no longer there to provide for them.
Owning a business introduces new financial risks, from outstanding loans to dependent employees or partners. Life insurance can protect your business by covering debts, funding buy-sell agreements or maintaining operations during transitions.
Taking on significant debt, like a mortgage or business loan, means someone could be left responsible if you're gone. Life insurance ensures your debts don't become a burden on your family, preserving assets like your home and protecting loved ones from financial strain.
Life insurance serves as a financial safety net for loved ones after you die, but policies offer additional benefits during your lifetime.
Life insurance provides a tax-free death benefit to your beneficiaries, helping them maintain their standard of living by replacing lost income and covering ongoing expenses.
If you're a primary earner, life insurance can replace your income, helping your family meet financial obligations.
Life insurance helps settle outstanding debts like mortgages or loans, preventing financial strain on your family.
Life insurance can contribute to children's education by ensuring funds are available for schooling, college or specialized training.
Life insurance supports other long-term financial goals, such as retirement planning or investment growth through cash value accumulation in permanent policies.
Choosing the right life insurance depends on more than your age. Think about your financial goals, budget and how long you want coverage to last.
Understanding the different types of life insurance helps you make a smarter decision, whether you're looking for affordable protection or a long-term financial tool.
Term policies offer coverage for set periods, typically 10 to 30 years. If you die during that term, the death benefit goes to your beneficiaries. Term life insurance is usually the most affordable option and works well for families who want high coverage at low cost during peak financial years.
Permanent life insurance provides lifelong coverage and builds cash value over time. While more expensive, it serves as a long-term financial asset, offering death benefits and potential savings growth. People commonly use permanent policies in estate planning or when they want guaranteed coverage regardless of age or health changes.
When choosing between term and permanent life insurance, consider your age, budget and long-term needs. Reviewing a term life insurance rates chart or whole life insurance rates chart shows how costs compare by age. If you're exploring flexible, lifelong coverage, a universal life insurance by age chart is also worth reviewing.
Unlike health or auto insurance, life insurance policies do not have deductibles. The full death benefit amount is paid to beneficiaries upon the insured's death, minus any outstanding policy loans or unpaid premiums.
Cost plays a major role when shopping for life insurance. Multiple factors affect the cost of life insurance, and understanding these helps you choose the best policy for your needs and circumstances.
Insurance companies evaluate these key factors when reviewing life insurance applications:
Age is the primary factor in determining life insurance premiums. Younger people receive lower premiums since they're lower risk. Premiums rise with age, reflecting higher perceived risk from age-related health concerns.
Healthier people pay lower premiums because they're lower risk to insure. Regular check-ups, healthy lifestyles and absence of chronic conditions lead to better rates, reflecting the lower likelihood of health-related claims.
High-risk jobs or hobbies increase premiums. Occupations involving heavy machinery, hazardous materials or extreme sports hobbies lead to higher costs due to increased risk to insurers.
Your choice between term and permanent policies affects costs. Term policies are generally more affordable due to temporary coverage, while permanent policies cost more because they offer lifelong coverage and investment components.
The amount of coverage you choose impacts your premiums. Higher coverage limits provide larger death benefits but result in higher premiums. Balance the financial protection needed with your budget constraints.
Where you live influences insurance regulations and costs. Different states have varying regulations, consumer protections and competitive landscapes, all affecting life insurance pricing and availability.
Life insurance pricing regulations vary by state. Some states have specific requirements regarding age-based pricing factors and discrimination protections.
Your age, life stage and financial responsibilities determine the best time to buy life insurance. While your 20s offer the lowest rates, the right time to buy depends on when you need coverage, whether that's marriage, parenthood or taking on major debt.
Choose the right policy type and coverage amount based on your age and situation to get protection without overpaying. Life insurance is about timing, purpose and long-term value.
We answer common questions about the best age to get life insurance:
Anyone with financial dependents, significant debts or long-term financial responsibilities should get life insurance. Life insurance provides financial security and protects loved ones or business interests if you die unexpectedly.
The right age to get life insurance varies by person, though starting young leads to lower premiums. Assess your financial responsibilities, future family planning and budget to determine your optimal age.
You can change your life insurance policy depending on the policy type. Term life policies may allow conversion to permanent coverage, while permanent policies might offer flexibility in investment options.
You can get life insurance through insurance agents, financial planners or online providers. Each offers different products and services, allowing customization to suit your individual needs, preferences and budget.
Life insurance becomes necessary when you have dependents, significant debts or want to ensure financial stability for loved ones, aligning with your specific life stage and planning needs.
Yes, life insurance can benefit single people without dependents. Life insurance can cover debts and funeral expenses or act as a financial tool for investment and savings, depending on the policy type.
Age, overall health, job and lifestyle, policy type, coverage limit and location all influence life insurance premiums and coverage options. Understanding these factors helps you make informed decisions that align with your circumstances and financial goals.
Yes, life insurance premiums increase with age, reflecting higher perceived risks from age-related health concerns. The older you are when purchasing a policy, the higher your premiums will be, making early planning advantageous.
No, whole life insurance premiums don't increase with age once your policy is active. Whole life offers consistent coverage and costs over time.
Yes, term life insurance premiums increase as you age, reflecting the higher risk of insuring older people. This is especially evident in 20-year and 30-year term life insurance rates by age.
Yes, getting life insurance in your 30s is smart because premiums are relatively low and financial obligations like mortgages and family care are increasing. Your 30s are often considered the best age to buy life insurance for long-term savings.
Term life insurance after 60 can be practical if you have dependents or debts. Term insurance provides financial security without the investment component of permanent insurance.
Having life insurance at 25 can be beneficial because you can lock in low premiums while you're likely in good health, offering financial security as your life evolves.
You can get life insurance at any age, though availability and rates vary by insurer. Policies may be issued to newborns as young as a few days old. However, there's usually a life insurance policy age limit, typically around 75 to 85 years old, depending on the insurer and policy type.
Life insurance policies don't require a specific ownership duration before they pay out upon your death. Most policies include a contestability period (commonly two years from the start date) during which the insurance company can investigate and possibly deny claims if they find fraud or misrepresentation in the application. After this period, the policy is usually incontestable.
Finding the right time to buy life insurance feels overwhelming when you're balancing premium costs against the reality that waiting means higher rates. We designed our analysis to answer the core question: when does the sweet spot between affordability and necessity actually occur?
Quote Analysis and Timing
We gathered 1,488 life insurance quotes across multiple age ranges to track how premiums increase over time and identify the most cost-effective windows for different life stages. This approach reveals the actual dollar impact of waiting versus buying coverage early.
Sample Profile Details
Our baseline comparison used:
We then adjusted this profile by:
Why This Methodology Matters
Rather than generic advice about "buying young," our age-specific analysis shows the actual premium differences between purchasing at different ages. This helps you weigh immediate budget constraints against long-term costs, especially since life insurance rates can double or triple with each decade of delay.
Data Recency
All pricing and company data were last updated in 2025, ensuring current market rates inform our timing recommendations.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.
