Life insurance doesn't have a universal age cutoff, but your options narrow after 85. Most policies cap at age 90.
Learn more about common life insurance age limits below.
Updated: December 29, 2025
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Most insurers stop issuing new life insurance policies to applicants older than 90, though specific age limits vary by insurer and individual circumstances. Consult with licensed agents for personalized guidance.
Term life insurance caps around ages 75 to 80, while whole life and final expense extend to 85 to 90.
After age 85, final expense insurance is typically the only coverage available.
There's no universal age limit for coverage. While your options do get fewer as you get older, financial protection remains available at every stage of life. The maximum age to buy a new policy is usually 90, though most coverage types become unavailable well before that.
Age limits depend on the policy type, insurer and your health. Coverage options exist at every age, even if choices become more limited.
Each type of life insurance has different age restrictions. The table below shows maximum issue ages across policy types. These are general ranges because each insurer sets its own guidelines.
Term Life | 75-80 | Yes (most policies) | Until age 80-90 |
Whole Life | 85 (exam), 80 (no exam) | Varies | Lifetime |
Final Expense | 85-90 | No | Lifetime |
Guaranteed Issue | 80-85 | No | Lifetime |
Universal Life | 85 (exam), 80 (no exam) | Varies | Lifetime* |
*May terminate if cash value depleted
Age limits and requirements may vary by state and insurance company. Consult licensed agents in your area for state-specific guidance.
You can typically get term life insurance until you're 75 to 80. The available term length lessens as you age: 30-year terms are available up to age 50, 20-year terms up to age 60, and 10-year terms up to age 70 to 75.
Most term policies require a medical exam, though no-exam life insurance options exist for applicants up to age 65 to 70.
Coverage ends at the end of your term, usually around age 80 to 90. Term life works well for temporary needs like providing financial protection for a spouse until Social Security kicks in or covering a remaining mortgage balance.
Whole life insurance accepts applicants up to age 85 with a medical exam or age 80 without one. Coverage lasts your entire life as long as premiums are paid.
Premiums run higher than term life but stay level throughout the policy.
These policies build cash value over time, and some extend coverage to age 100 or beyond. Whole life suits people looking for lifelong coverage, estate planning or leaving an inheritance.
Final expense insurance, also known as burial or funeral insurance, typically accepts applicants up to ages 85 to 90, depending on the insurer. Coverage amounts range from $1,000 to $50,000, which covers funeral costs and small debts.
No medical exam is required, and underwriting is lenient toward pre-existing conditions. For seniors over 85, final expense is frequently the only coverage type available.
This type of policy works well for seniors with health issues who want to cover end-of-life expenses.
Guaranteed acceptance life insurance policies don't require health questions or medical exams and accept everyone up to ages 80 to 85. Coverage amounts generally go up to $25,000 (with some offering up to $75,000).
These policies include a two-year waiting period before the full death benefit applies. If death occurs during that period, beneficiaries receive premiums paid plus about 10% interest. Premiums run higher than other policy types.
Universal life insurance caps at age 85 with a medical exam or age 80 without one. This permanent coverage offers flexible premiums and builds cash value over time. The policy can last a lifetime if properly funded, but may end if the cash value runs out or premiums become insufficient.
Indexed and variable universal life policies, which are specialized types of universal life, often stop accepting applicants in their 70s or 80s due to stricter underwriting requirements.
Work with your agent to monitor cash value and adjust premiums as needed to maintain coverage.
Your age isn't the only thing that matters when determining whether you qualify for life insurance. Your health, the coverage amount you're getting, and the underwriting method all affect eligibility and premium costs.
Insurers evaluate your current health during the underwriting process. Conditions like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and stroke history affect whether you qualify and what you'll pay. Medical exams check blood pressure, cholesterol levels, weight and nicotine use.
Family history of hereditary diseases also impacts your premiums. Healthier applicants qualify for better rates, while serious conditions may result in denial or a substandard rating that increases costs. Managing existing health conditions before applying can improve your eligibility.
Higher coverage amounts require stricter underwriting, making larger policies harder to get at older ages. Term policies become more difficult to qualify for than whole life after age 70. Smaller coverage amounts in the $10,000 to $25,000 range are easier to secure.
Match your coverage amount to your actual needs. If you're looking to cover funeral costs and pay off remaining debts, a smaller final expense policy may work better than pursuing a large term policy with strict health requirements.
Three underwriting methods exist, each with different age limits and requirements. Fully underwritten policies require a medical exam but offer the highest coverage amounts and lowest premiums for healthy applicants. Approval takes an average of four to eight weeks according to industry data, though individual timelines may vary.
With simplified issue, you skip the exam but answer health questions. These are available up to age 75 to 80 with quick approval, often the same day. Premiums run higher than fully underwritten policies.
Guaranteed issue policies require no exam and ask no health questions. Available up to age 80 to 85, these policies guarantee acceptance but charge the highest premiums and cap coverage at lower amounts.
Each insurance company sets its own age limits. Shopping multiple insurers increases your chances of approval. Independent agents can compare options across carriers to find the best fit for your situation.
Life insurance needs and eligibility vary by individual circumstances. This information is educational and doesn't constitute personalized insurance advice.
There's no fixed age when life insurance becomes unavailable. The maximum age to buy a new policy is 90, though your options narrow well before that point. After the age of 85, final expense insurance is usually the only option.
Term life caps around age 75 to 80, while whole life extends to 85 to 90. Acting sooner gives you more options and lower premiums.
Consider your specific needs, compare multiple insurers and work with an agent who specializes in senior coverage.
The maximum age for getting a new life insurance policy is 90. After the age of 85, only final expense insurance is usually available, although only a few insurers offer coverage to applicants aged 86 to 90.
Simplified issue policies, available up to age 75 to 80, require only health questions. Guaranteed issue policies, available up to age 80 to 85, require no exam and no health questions but charge higher premiums and include a two-year waiting period.
Final expense insurance is often the best option for seniors. It doesn't require a medical exam, covers funeral costs and small debts, and has lenient underwriting. Seniors in good health may benefit from whole life or short-term policies for larger coverage amounts.
Yes. Life insurance premiums increase with age because insurers base rates on mortality risk. Each year you wait to buy coverage results in higher premiums. Buying a policy earlier locks in lower rates.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in 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.
