They say that age ain’t nothing but a number, but for those looking to purchase life insurance, age can become a determining factor in their decision to obtain coverage. Premiums become higher as we age, however, is there an age where you are essentially too old for life insurance, or is there even an age limit for life insurance?
The answer depends on whether or not life insurance is a valid investment for you and your loved ones, and whether or not you will be leaving people behind who are dependent on your income.
When determining whether or not life insurance is appropriate for you and your family as you move into your twilight years keep these factors in mind, as they will help you determine whether or not you are too old for life insurance:
Do You Have Dependents?
One of the biggest influences on your decision to buy life insurance at any age should be directly related to how many people depend on you financially. If you are working and your spouse or other members of your family depend on your income, then it might make sense to buy a policy even at a later age. With families having children later in life, adults are now finding themselves financially responsible for dependents well into their 60’s and beyond. The question here is do you need more life insurance and is there an age limit for life insurance.
Although buying life insurance very late in life, it is possible all the way to age 90. Many insurance companies offer final expense insurance which was developed primarily for these consumers. There is typically no medical exam required and your health is not as critical to the policy as it is with traditional term or whole life insurance.
Do You Own Your Assets Outright?
If you own your home, car, and other investments outright and don’t have a large number of dependents, then life insurance might not be a smart investment for you later in life. Many times one’s equity and savings can be enough to cover the costs of funerals and provide financial security for your spouse or partner. If you don’t own your home, however, and have large car payments or other debt, a life insurance policy can help assure that your loved ones aren’t burdened by large payments in the future.
You should also take into consideration the steep costs for a funeral and burial service. Today, an average priced funeral is close to $10,000 and you certainly don’t want to burden your surviving loved ones with these costs.
Can You Cover Your Funeral Expenses?
One of the main reasons that individuals over 60 purchase life insurance are due to funeral and memorial expenses. Many seniors don’t want to leave a burden on their loved ones, and taking out a small life insurance policy to help cover funeral and memorial services can be a safety net to assure your family isn’t paying out of pocket for the associated expenses.
In fact, when you make your funeral arrangements in advance and arrange for the payment, it shows how much you love your family members and that you are unwilling to add financial stress to people who are already grieving.
Are You Able to Purchase Term Life Insurance?
There are two types of life insurance policies to choose from: term insurance, which covers you for a specific amount of time with lower premiums, and permanent life insurance, (whole life and universal life) which has a higher premium but covers you for life, as long as you pay your premiums. Your age and health will be a determining factor for which insurance is available to you, as many companies don’t offer term life insurance to those over age 75.
While age does factor into premiums and the types of coverage available to you, the questions become less about whether or not you’re too old for life insurance, but whether or not purchasing life insurance makes sense regarding your financial obligations. This question should be thoughtfully considered and while you’re at it, talk to an experienced and reputable independent insurance agent.
If you need affordable term insurance with a substantial death benefit, you will be required to take a medical exam, and if you are older than 75-years old, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to get coverage.
If you are 80 or older, your best option will be universal life insurance because most companies that offer it will cover you to age 100. Although it will be expensive, the coverage will provide the peace of mind you’re seeking.
If, however, your need is for an insurance policy for final expenses like funeral and nursing home costs, you may want to consider a final expense insurance policy since most companies will provide coverage up to age 85.
Richard Reich is a writer for LifeInsure.com.
If you need more info about final expense insurance, LifeInsure.com has provided this easy to understand video:
