Your term length should match your longest financial obligation. At 30, most people are taking on major responsibilities that require decades of financial protection. You might be buying your first home with a 30-year mortgage, starting a family or building a career that your spouse depends on. A policy that expires before these obligations end leaves your family vulnerable.
What's the Best Life Insurance Term Length for a 30-Year-Old?
A 20-year or 30-year term works best for most 30-year-olds. Your ideal term depends on your mortgage, kids' ages and retirement timeline.
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Updated: December 12, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Match your term length to your longest financial obligation, whether that's a mortgage, supporting children or covering income until retirement.
A 30-year term costs more than a 20-year term but eliminates the risk of requalifying at a higher age.
Buying at 30 means locking in affordable rates while you're young and healthy, potentially saving thousands over the policy's life.
How Long Should Term Life Insurance Last for a 30-Year-Old?
Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Term Length
Your ideal coverage period depends on certain personal factors that determine how long your family would need financial support without you.
Your mortgage timeline
A 30-year mortgage calls for a 30-year term so your family can keep the home if something happens to you. Even with a 15-year or 20-year mortgage, consider extra years in case you refinance or move to a larger home.
How long until your children are financially independent
Coverage should last until your kids finish college or can support themselves. If you have young children or plan to start a family, that's usually 20 to 25 years from now.
Years until retirement
Your policy should cover your income-earning years. A 30-year term gets you to age 60, while a 20-year term covers you until 50. Think about when you'll have enough saved that your family won't need your income.
Co-signed loans or debts
Any debts you share with a spouse or co-signer should be covered so they aren't left with the burden. Student loans, business loans and credit card debt can all transfer to a surviving spouse in some situations.
Your spouse's financial situation
Consider whether your spouse works full-time, plans to return to work after raising children or relies entirely on your income. A stay-at-home parent may need longer coverage than a dual-income household.
Common Term Lengths for 30-Year-Olds
Three term lengths make sense for most 30-year-olds. Each term length is suited to different financial situations and goals.
Term Length | Who It's For |
|---|---|
20-year term life insurance | This remains the most popular option overall. A 20-year term works well for 30-year-olds with young children who want coverage until kids are grown, or those looking to balance coverage length with cost. It gets you to age 50, when many people have paid down significant debt and built retirement savings. |
30-year term life insurance | This option suits new homeowners with 30-year mortgages, parents of very young children or those planning to have more kids and anyone who wants financial protection through their entire career. It gets you to age 60, approaching retirement when your financial obligations have likely decreased. |
10-year term life insurance | Less common for 30-year-olds, but it may work if you only have short-term financial obligations or you're close to becoming self-insured (having enough savings and investments that your family wouldn’t need life insurance proceeds) through savings and investments. The low premiums make it attractive, but the short coverage window limits its usefulness for most people at this life stage. |
20-Year vs. 30-Year Term: Which Is Better for a 30-Year-Old?
Choose based on your financial timeline and budget.
- Cost difference: A 30-year term costs more than a 20-year term for the same coverage amount. Based on our analysis, a 30-year-old pays around $29 to $36 per month for a $500,000 20-year policy compared to $50 to $61 per month for a 30-year policy.
- When to choose 20-year: Pick the shorter term if you're confident your financial obligations will decrease by age 50, you want lower monthly premiums or you're already on track to become self-insured through savings and investments.
- When to choose 30-year: Pick the longer term if you have a 30-year mortgage, young children, anticipate having more children or want peace of mind knowing you're covered through most of your working years without needing to requalify later.
- Renewal and requalification risk: Buying a new policy at 50 costs much more than at 30, and health issues that develop could make future coverage unaffordable or unavailable. Locking in a longer term now protects against this risk.
40-YEAR TERM LIFE INSURANCE
Some insurers offer 40-year terms, though availability varies by company and age. A 40-year term would cover a 30-year-old until age 70, well past typical retirement age. The premiums are more expensive than the cost for shorter terms.
For most 30-year-olds, a 30-year term provides adequate coverage at a more reasonable cost, but a 40-year term appeals to those who want guaranteed coverage through their entire working life and into early retirement.
How Much Does Term Life Insurance Cost for a 30-Year-Old?
Term life insurance rates for 30-year-olds remain among the lowest available. Your exact premium depends on your health, smoking status and coverage amount. The table below shows average monthly rates for $500,000 in coverage:
10 Years | $20 (F), $24 (M) | $64 (F), $77 (M) |
20 Years | $29 (F), $36 (M) | $92 (F), $111 (M) |
30 Years | $50 (F), $61 (M) | $160 (F), $195 (M) |
40 Years | $115 (F), $147 (M) | $404 (F), $519 (M) |
These rates are based on average quotes for 30-year-olds with average weight and health ratings from our survey of major insurers. Actual life insurance premiums vary based on individual health profile, coverage needs, insurer, and state regulations. Rates shown are estimates only and don't guarantee coverage availability or pricing.
What Happens When Your Term Ends?
When your term expires, coverage ends, and no death benefit pays out. You have several options at this point:
- Renew your policy: Most policies allow annual renewal without a medical exam, but premiums increase based on your current age. A policy that costs $36 per month at 30 might cost $254 per month to renew at 60.
- Convert to permanent life insurance: Many policies include a conversion option that lets you switch from term to whole life or universal life without a new medical exam. This can be valuable if your health has declined.
- Buy a new policy: You'll need to go through underwriting again, which means a medical exam and health questions. Rates will be higher due to your age, and health issues could affect your eligibility.
- Go without coverage: If your financial obligations are covered and you've built enough savings, you may no longer need life insurance. Many people become self-insured by retirement age.
When a 30-Year-Old Might Need Permanent Life Insurance Instead
Term life insurance fits most 30-year-olds, but permanent coverage makes sense in specific situations:
- Parents of children with special needs who will require lifelong care and financial support
- Those who want to leave a legacy or inheritance, regardless of when they die
- High-net-worth individuals with estate planning needs, such as covering estate taxes or equalizing inheritances
Permanent policies cost more than term, so they're only worth considering if you have a specific lifelong need.
The Best Life Insurance Term Length for 30-Year-Olds: Bottom Line
A 20-year or 30-year term provides the ideal balance of coverage length and cost for most 30-year-olds. Choose your term based on your longest-lasting financial obligation, whether that's your mortgage, supporting children through adulthood or covering your income until retirement.
The advantage of buying at 30 is locking in affordable rates for decades while you're young and healthy. Even if a 30-year term costs more now, it's still far cheaper than buying a new 10-year policy at age 50 or 60.
Best Term Length: FAQ
How long should term life insurance last?
Your term should last as long as your major financial obligations. That typically means until your mortgage is paid off, your children are financially independent, or you reach retirement with enough savings to support your family.
Is term life insurance worth it at 30?
Age 30 is an ideal time to buy term life insurance. You'll lock in low rates while you're young and healthy, and you can secure coverage for your entire career and family-raising years at a fraction of what it would cost later.
What happens if I outlive my term life insurance?
When your term ends, coverage expires with no payout. You can renew annually at higher rates, convert to permanent insurance without a medical exam or buy a new policy if you still need coverage.
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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!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.