Once you reach your 50s, your life – and your financial priorities – often start to look different.

Your paycheck used to go toward paying the mortgage and buying diapers. Now, the kids are older or even out of the house, your home is closer to being paid off, and you’re more focused on preparing for retirement than climbing the career ladder.

As you check milestones off your list, you might wonder if life insurance still needs to be part of your plan. Like most financial decisions, the answer is very personal. It depends on your family, whether you’re working, and who’s counting on you financially.

While life insurance is a must-have for young families, you might need less coverage – or no coverage at all – once you reach your 50s. That said, there are plenty of reasons life insurance can make sense at this stage, especially if you’re still working or have dependents.

If you decide life insurance is right for you, there are still affordable options available. Here’s what to know about buying life insurance in your 50s.

Should you buy life insurance in your 50s?

Life insurance is often something you buy in your peak earning years while you’re raising a family, but many people find themselves in the market for coverage later in life.

If you’re over 50, life insurance might be on your mind when:

• your term life insurance policy expires
• your employer-provided coverage ends because of a job change or retirement

No matter the situation, a good rule of thumb to determine if you need life insurance is whether anyone depends on you financially.

If your mortgage is paid off, your kids are out of college, and you and your partner have a nest egg for retirement and emergencies, then life insurance might be an unnecessary expense.

That said, there are plenty of scenarios where life insurance can provide much-needed protection in your 50s:

• You have kids at home. The average age of first-time parents is on the rise, and more young adult kids are returning home. In fact, 52% of young adults lived with one or both of their parents in July 2020. Not everyone has children in early adulthood, and if your children are still depending on you, life insurance is a must.
• Your family depends on your income. Nearly 80% of adults in their early 50s are still in the workforce. If you’re one of them, life insurance can help make sure money is there to replace your income if necessary. That protection is especially important as savings rates dip in the U.S. Four in 10 Americans don’t even have enough savings to cover a $400 emergency expense, so life insurance can provide a lifeline to help your family keep up with bills and expenses.
• You have debt. People in their 50s carry about $8,000 in credit card debt on average – and your family could be responsible for those debts if something happens to you. Life insurance can help your family pay down credit cards, cover the mortgage, or pay other bills if needed.
• Pay final expenses. The average funeral costs $10,000 or more, and your family is responsible for covering those costs. Life insurance can help make sure that your family isn’t burdened with debt after laying you to rest, especially if you’re living on Social Security or a fixed income.
• Leave a legacy or charitable gift. As you make end-of-life plans, you might want to leave something behind for your kids, grandkids, or even a favorite charity. A permanent life insurance policy can offer a guaranteed way to do that.

Which life insurance is best for people over 50?

First, some surprising news: You actually have more life insurance options in your 50s in many cases. Some life insurance companies offer policies specially designed for seniors, and seniors can often still qualify for term or permanent life insurance options. Here are a few things to consider when choosing the right type of life insurance for you and your family:

Policy Type

• Term life insurance has the most affordable insurance premiums, or payments, and can be a flexible option if you need to bridge a financial gap for a few years until retirement. Keep in mind that term life insurance expires, so you’ll need to choose a term length, typically between 10 and 30 years. While some companies don’t sell 30-year policies to older adults, Fidelity Life offers term life coverage for 10 to 30 years for people in their 50s through our RAPIDecision® Term Life plans.
• Permanent life insurance offers lifelong protection, which is ideal if you want a guaranteed way to pay funeral expenses or leave a gift behind for your loved ones. Keep in mind that permanent life insurance is more expensive than term life insurance.
• Final expense life insurance. Designed for people 50 and older, final expense life insurance is a small permanent policy that you can use to pay funeral expenses and other end-of-life expenses. The lower coverage amounts, between $5,000 and $40,000, make it affordable and easy to qualify.

Coverage Amount

As your needs change, it’s important to calculate your actual needs based on your current and future plans. You want enough life insurance to keep you covered, but not so much that it eats into your retirement savings or other financial goals. Use our term life insurance calculator to crunch the numbers.

Is it hard to qualify for life insurance in your 50s?

Qualifying for life insurance is definitely still within reach in your 50s. Your life insurance options and rates will depend on a number of personal factors, including your health and your lifestyle, along with the type of policy you’re planning to buy.

Keep in mind that you might need to take a medical exam as part of the approval process. As you get older, life insurance companies may also ask you to take additional tests, like an electrocardiogram (EKG). Eager to get covered quickly? With Fidelity Life’s RAPIDecision Life, you can get immediate coverage and wait up to six months after buying a plan to take your medical exam.

If you’re concerned about qualifying for life insurance because of your health, there are life insurance coverage options for people over 50 with few or no medical requirements. They include simplified issue, which relies on a health questionnaire instead of a medical exam, and guaranteed issue, which offers no-questions-asked coverage for people with serious health challenges.

How much is life insurance for a 50-year-old?

There’s no getting around the fact that life insurance rates go up as you get older. If you’re watching your budget, keep in mind that life insurance is often more affordable than people think – even in your 50s. It can help to work with a company like Fidelity Life that offers multiple options based on your needs.

• A 50-year-old employed woman in great health can buy a 10-year, $250,000 term life policy starting at $35 a month.
• A 50-year-old employed man in great health can buy a 10-year, $250,000 term life policy starting at $38 a month.

The bottom line: It’s not too late (or too expensive) for most people to get life insurance in their 50s. If you’re concerned about the financial security of your partner and children, there are options available that can provide the peace of mind you need.

Still have questions?

We’re here to help. Fidelity Life offers a wide variety of life insurance plans to support people at every stage of life. Get your quote online today or call one of our agents at (855) 291-6365.

At Fidelity Life, our goal is to make life insurance simple, affordable, and understandable for everyday families. This content is intended for educational purposes only. Each post is carefully fact-checked, reviewed, and updated regularly to ensure the information is as relevant as possible.