6 Best Life Insurance Companies for Seniors in May 2024 - NerdWallet (2024)

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Just because you’re older doesn’t mean you can’t find a life insurance policy that meets your needs. The cost of coverage can increase with age, but many insurers will accommodate older adults, even if they're not in the best of health.

To put together this list, NerdWallet reviewed insurers that offer term or whole life policies to seniors, taking into account our star ratings for each company, as well as policy features like the maximum issue age. Here are our top picks.

» MORE: A guide to buying life insurance for seniors

The best life insurance for seniors in May 2024

Company

Maximum issue age

Guardian Life

5.0

NerdWallet rating

Term: 75.

Whole: 90.

MassMutual

5.0

NerdWallet rating

Term: 75.

Whole: 90.

Northwestern Mutual

5.0

NerdWallet rating

Term: 70.

Whole: 85.

New York Life

5.0

NerdWallet rating

Term: 75.

Whole: 90.

State Farm

5.0

NerdWallet rating

Term: 75.

Whole: 80.

USAA

4.5

NerdWallet rating

Term: 70.

Whole: 85.

NerdWallet rates insurers at the company level, not the policy level.

How we ranked the top life insurers

NerdWallet’s life insurance ratings are based on consumer experience, complaint index scores from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners for individual life insurance, and weighted averages of financial strength ratings, which indicate a company’s ability to pay future claims. Within the consumer experience category, we consider ease of communication and website transparency, which looks at the depth of policy details available online. To calculate each insurer’s rating, we adjusted the scores to a curved 5-point scale.

These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines.

Best life insurance for seniors in May 2024

Learn more about each company in our list by reading the brief summaries below and checking out the NerdWallet review links.

Jump to:

  • 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.

  • State Farm: Best for customer satisfaction.

  • USAA: Best for coverage flexibility.

Best for payment flexibility

6 Best Life Insurance Companies for Seniors in May 2024 - NerdWallet (1)

Guardian Life

5.0

NerdWallet rating

Bottom line: Depending on your age, you may have the option to pay off your whole life policy in 10, 15 or 20 years.

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Financial strength rating

Exceptional

Online purchase

No

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected

Policies offered

Term & permanent

Best for payment flexibility

6 Best Life Insurance Companies for Seniors in May 2024 - NerdWallet (2)

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Guardian Life

5.0

NerdWallet rating

Bottom line: Depending on your age, you may have the option to pay off your whole life policy in 10, 15 or 20 years.

Financial strength rating

Exceptional

Online purchase

No

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected

Policies offered

Term & permanent

Overview: Guardian also offers whole life policies that are paid up by age 65, 95, 99 and 121.If you’re looking for other types of permanent coverage, you may want to consider Guardian’s universal and variable universal life products, which are issued up to age 85.

Guardian senior life insurance policy details

Policy type: Term.

Max issue age: 75 (1-year and 10-year terms), 70 (15-year term), 65 (20-year term).

Coverage: $100,000+

Policy type: Whole.

Max issue age: 90.

Coverage: $25,000+

» Read the full review: Guardian Life insurance review

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Best for elderly applicants

6 Best Life Insurance Companies for Seniors in May 2024 - NerdWallet (3)

MassMutual

5.0

NerdWallet rating

Bottom line: Few providers issue whole life products to applicants over age 85, which makes this insurer a good bet for older seniors looking for permanent coverage.

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Financial strength rating

Exceptional

Online purchase

Yes

Policies offered

Term, permanent & no-exam

Best for elderly applicants

6 Best Life Insurance Companies for Seniors in May 2024 - NerdWallet (4)

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MassMutual

5.0

NerdWallet rating

Bottom line: Few providers issue whole life products to applicants over age 85, which makes this insurer a good bet for older seniors looking for permanent coverage.

Financial strength rating

Exceptional

Online purchase

Yes

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected

Policies offered

Term, permanent & no-exam

Overview: With MassMutual, there’s no limit to how much term life coverage you can buy (subject to restrictions). You may find this appealing if you’re looking for a substantial payout for your life insurance beneficiaries.

MassMutual senior life insurance policy details

Policy type: Term.

Max issue age: 75.

Coverage: $100,000+.

Policy type: Whole.

Max issue age: 90.

Coverage: $25,000+.

» Read the full review: MassMutual life insurance review

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Best for the potential to earn dividends

6 Best Life Insurance Companies for Seniors in May 2024 - NerdWallet (5)

Northwestern Mutual

5.0

NerdWallet rating

Bottom line: With far fewer complaints than expected for a company of its size, Northwestern Mutual is a trustworthy choice.

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Financial strength rating

Exceptional

Online purchase

No

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected

Policies offered

Term & permanent

Best for the potential to earn dividends

6 Best Life Insurance Companies for Seniors in May 2024 - NerdWallet (6)

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Northwestern Mutual

5.0

NerdWallet rating

Bottom line: With far fewer complaints than expected for a company of its size, Northwestern Mutual is a trustworthy choice.

Financial strength rating

Exceptional

Online purchase

No

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected

Policies offered

Term & permanent

Overview: Northwestern Mutual's whole life policyholders may be eligible to receive dividends, which the company has paid out consistently since 1872.

Northwestern Mutual senior life insurance policy details

Policy type: Term.

Max issue age: 70.

Coverage: $100,000+.

Policy type: Whole.

Max issue age: 85.

Coverage: $50,000+.

» Read the full review: Northwestern Mutual life insurance review

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Best coverage range

6 Best Life Insurance Companies for Seniors in May 2024 - NerdWallet (7)

New York Life

5.0

NerdWallet rating

Bottom line: New York Life offers both term and whole life policies that span a significant range of coverage.

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on Nerdwallet

Financial strength rating

Exceptional

Online purchase

No

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

Policies offered

Term & permanent

Best coverage range

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New York Life

5.0

NerdWallet rating

Bottom line: New York Life offers both term and whole life policies that span a significant range of coverage.

Financial strength rating

Exceptional

Online purchase

No

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

Policies offered

Term & permanent

Overview: Depending on your needs and policy type, you can select payout amounts anywhere from $25,000 to well into the millions.

New York Life senior life insurance policy details

Policy type: Term.

Max issue age: 75 (1- and 10-year terms) and 65 (15- and 20-year terms).

Coverage: $100,000+.

Policy type: Whole.

Max issue age: 90.

Coverage: $25,000+ (for applicants ages 18 and over).

» Read the full review: New York Life insurance review

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Best for customer satisfaction

6 Best Life Insurance Companies for Seniors in May 2024 - NerdWallet (9)

State Farm

5.0

NerdWallet rating

Bottom line: If you’re looking for a company with a great reputation, State Farm ranked first out of 22 companies for overall customer satisfaction in J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Individual Life Insurance Study.

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on Nerdwallet

Financial strength rating

Exceptional

Online purchase

No

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

Policies offered

Term, permanent & no-exam

Best for customer satisfaction

6 Best Life Insurance Companies for Seniors in May 2024 - NerdWallet (10)

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State Farm

5.0

NerdWallet rating

Bottom line: If you’re looking for a company with a great reputation, State Farm ranked first out of 22 companies for overall customer satisfaction in J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Individual Life Insurance Study.

Financial strength rating

Exceptional

Online purchase

No

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

Policies offered

Term, permanent & no-exam

Overview: State Farm offers its customers broad, customizable coverage. For instance, you can add more coverage for yourself or another person through a term rider. This can be useful if you need to buy a small amount of coverage for a partner but don’t want to purchase a separate policy.

State Farm senior life insurance policy details

Policy type: Term.

Max issue age: 75 (10-year term), 65 (20-year term).

Coverage: $100,000+.

Policy type: Whole.

Max issue age: Varies by policy (80 for final expense whole life).

Coverage: $10,000+.

» Read the full review: State Farm life insurance review

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Best for coverage flexibility

6 Best Life Insurance Companies for Seniors in May 2024 - NerdWallet (11)

USAA

4.5

NerdWallet rating

Bottom line: USAA allows you to convert your term policy to permanent coverage before it expires, which can be useful if you think you’ll want lifelong coverage at a later date.

COMPARE QUOTES

on Nerdwallet

Financial strength rating

Exceptional

Online purchase

No

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

Policies offered

Term, permanent & no-exam

Best for coverage flexibility

6 Best Life Insurance Companies for Seniors in May 2024 - NerdWallet (12)

COMPARE QUOTES

on Nerdwallet

USAA

4.5

NerdWallet rating

Bottom line: USAA allows you to convert your term policy to permanent coverage before it expires, which can be useful if you think you’ll want lifelong coverage at a later date.

Financial strength rating

Exceptional

Online purchase

No

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

Policies offered

Term, permanent & no-exam

Overview: For anyone looking to skip the medical exam, USAA offers a guaranteed issue policy, underwritten by Mutual of Omaha. You’re not required to answer any health questions or take a life insurance medical exam to qualify for coverage.Plus, unlike some of its other financial products, the company’s life insurance isn't limited to military families.

USAA senior life insurance policy details

Policy type: Term.

Max issue age: 70.

Coverage: $100,000 to $10 million.

Policy type: Whole.

Max issue age: 85.

Coverage: $25,000 to $10 million.

» Read the full review: USAA life insurance review

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Other life insurance options for seniors

If you can’t find a traditional term or whole life policy, there are some alternatives to consider, such as guaranteed issue life insurance. These policies don't require a life insurance medical exam, and acceptance is guaranteed.

» MORE: The best life insurance companies

Alternatively, you may want to look at burial insurance, sometimes referred to as final expense insurance. These are small whole life policies that can help cover end-of-life costs like funeral expenses.

More about buying life insurance as a senior

A guide to buying life insurance for seniors

Life insurance options in your 60s and 70s

Average life insurance rates

Best no medical exam life insurance policies

More about top-rated life insurance companies

Looking for a specific type of life insurance policy? Check out NerdWallet’s top picks across these categories:

  • Best life insurance companies.

  • Best term life insurance companies.

  • Best whole life insurance companies.

  • Best burial life insurance companies.

  • Best instant life insurance.

  • Best no-medical exam life insurance.

  • Best return-of-premium life insurance.

  • Best life insurance for children.

  • Best accidental death and dismemberment insurance.

Insurer complaints methodology

NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2020-2022. To assess how insurers compare with one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, NerdWallet calculated a similar index for each insurer, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary, over the three-year period. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsem*nt of the NAIC. Ratios are determined separately for auto, home (including renters and condo) and life insurance.

6 Best Life Insurance Companies for Seniors in May 2024 - NerdWallet (2024)

FAQs

What is the best rated life insurance for seniors? ›

6 Best Senior Life Insurance Companies
  • Fidelity Life: Our top pick for seniors.
  • MassMutual: Our pick for guaranteed issue coverage for seniors.
  • State Farm: Our pick for customer satisfaction.
  • Northwestern Mutual: Our pick for a personalized experience.
  • Mutual of Omaha: Our pick for accelerated death benefits.

Who is the most trustworthy life insurance company? ›

Top life insurance companies
CompanyBest forAM Best Financial Strength Rating
NationwideCustomer satisfactionA (Excellent)
Northwestern MutualUniversal life insuranceA++ (Superior)
PrudentialPolicy personalizationA+ (Superior)
State FarmTerm life insuranceA++ (Superior)
3 more rows

What life insurance does Suze Orman recommend? ›

Suze recommends that you should get term life insurance and continues to add that most people should get a 20 year term policy. Suze Orman also says that the coverage you should get, should be 20 times your annual income.

What is the average cost for life insurance for a 65 year old? ›

The average cost of life insurance is $31 per month at age 25. But at age 65, a life insurance policy costs about $593 per month. Life insurance companies mostly base their rates on your age and health status, but they also factor in your job, your weight, whether you smoke and even your family health history.

What does Colonial Penn give you for $9.95 a month? ›

A unit of Colonial Penn coverage is the life insurance benefit amount you receive for $9.95 per month. Your age and gender determine the exact amount of insurance coverage a single unit provides. The older you are, the more units you will need to purchase in order to get an adequate death benefit.

Should a 75 year old buy life insurance? ›

Whole life insurance can be a good option for seniors because the guaranteed death benefit ensures that your loved ones will receive a generally tax-free gift when you pass away. In many cases, these policies also come with some “living benefits” that can come in handy if you experience health issues as you age.

Which insurance company has the highest customer satisfaction? ›

Read on to learn how the top insurance companies ranked and what affected claims satisfaction in 2024.
  • Amica, AIG, and Erie Insurance top the list for consumer satisfaction with property claims, according to a 2024 study by J.D. Power.
  • Travelers and Homesite are rated at the bottom for customer service during claims.
May 9, 2024

What is better, term or whole life insurance? ›

If you only need coverage for a few years while your children are growing up, for example, then term life insurance may be the right choice. But if you want lifetime coverage and the ability to build cash value, then consider whole life insurance.

What is the #1 insurance in America? ›

1. State Farm. State Farm is the largest car insurance provider in the US, accounting for almost 17% of the overall market. The figure is equivalent to over $8 billion more in direct written premiums compared to the next-ranked insurer.

Why does Dave Ramsey not recommend whole life insurance? ›

For every $100 you invest in whole life insurance, the first $5 goes to purchasing the insurance itself; the other $95 goes to the cash value buildup from your investment, Ramsey says. But for about the first three years, your money goes to fees alone. Someone is making out, and it's not your beneficiary.

What insurance company does Dave Ramsey recommend? ›

It means that Zander is the only company Dave and the entire Ramsey team recommend for term life insurance. Why? Because Zander has faithfully served our fans for two decades and will do whatever it takes to help you win. They offer the coverage you need and nothing you don't.

Which life insurance is most beneficial? ›

Term life insurance tends to be the best choice for single individuals as it offers high life cover` at affordable premiums.

At what age does life insurance not make sense? ›

Life insurance is no longer needed for many people once they reach their 60s or 70s. At this point they retire, their kids have grown up, and they've paid off their mortgage and other debts.

At what age should you stop paying for 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.

Is 70 too old for life insurance? ›

Once you're in your 70s, there may be more limitations on the types of policies available to you. but you can still get life insurance over 70.

How much is AARP life insurance a month? ›

How much is AARP life insurance per month? AARP life insurance can cost as little as $11 monthly or as high as $900. The final price depends on the type of policy (whole, term, or guaranteed acceptance), product, age, gender, state of residence, and health.

Is life insurance worth it after 65? ›

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.

Is term or whole life insurance better for seniors? ›

You want a lower premium.

Term life insurance is likely your most affordable option, especially for seniors. Premiums for term life insurance policies are typically five to 15 times cheaper than whole life insurance. Low premiums can be particularly valuable for seniors on a fixed income.

What is the cheapest term life insurance for seniors over 70? ›

GEICO and Transamerica are the cheapest life insurance companies for older adults, offering an average rate of $175.74 per month for a 10-year term policy. They also provide the most affordable life insurance rates for seniors who smoke and those in poor health.

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