Term life insurance is a type of temporary life insurance plan that provides you with coverage lasting for a set duration.
Since term life policies are only for a specific number of years— usually 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 years and most people purchase them between the ages of 30 and 60 – it would seem like coverage to age 100 would not only be uncommon, but near impossible to get.
Does Term Life Insurance End at a Certain Age?
Yes, generally term insurance policies end or expire at a certain age. The exact age depends on the particular policy, but age 85 is common.
Term insurance policies are often renewable and convertible.
That means that they renew for a higher premium at the end of each term 10, 20, or 30 for example.
Level Term Life Insurance
Level Term is a type of term life policy that provides you with coverage for up to 40 years.
However, you may be able to choose coverage for a "Policy Term" (duration) of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, or 40 years.
With Level term, you pay the same premium each year and the amount of insurance coverage provided by your policy never decreases, unless you choose to reduce the coverage amount.
So, if you are alive at the expiration of your policy term (for example: 40 years), your coverage would expire with no payout.
When Does Term Life Insurance Coverage End?
That depends on the type of life insurance policy you purchase.
Two of the more common types of term life plans are Level Term and Term to 70.
Level Term Life Insurance Policy
Example: 30 years old at time you purchase your term policy.
If you are age 30 when your term insurance policy begins, your coverage would expire at the following ages based on the Policy Term:
Policy Term Age Coverage Expires
10 years 40 years old
15 years 45 years old
20 years 50 years old
25 years 55 years old
30 years 60 years old
Term to Age 70
If you purchase a Term to Age 70 life insurance policy, you would pay the same premium each year for the first 20 years you are insured, then the premium would increase each year you keep the policy, until you reach seventy years old.
The amount of life insurance provided by your policy would remain the same throughout the life of your policy, unless you choose to reduce the coverage amount, to save money on your premiums.
Your coverage would expire at age 70.
When to Buy Term Life Insurance?
You may want to purchase a life insurance policy while you are young and healthy, so you can lock-in a low rate.
Premiums for term life are more affordable when you are under the age of 50 and in good health.
While you should purchase the policy at a young age, it’s also recommended that you wait until you have children, or other financial responsibilities.
What to Do When Your Term Life Insurance Expires
At the time your term insurance coverage ends, you’ll want to consider your situation and what options are available to you.
You may want to consider the following options:
Term Life Insurance Quotes
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