AARP life insurance monthly costs vary widely depending on your age, health, and the coverage amount you choose

AARP life insurance is sold through partner insurance companies, not directly by AARP itself. The monthly premium you pay depends on several factors: how old you are when you buy the policy, whether you have any health conditions, how much death benefit you want, and which type of policy you select. A 60-year-old in good health might pay $30 to $50 a month for a basic term life policy with a $100,000 death benefit, while someone at 75 could pay $80 to $150 monthly for the same coverage. These are rough ranges — your actual cost will depend on the insurance company's underwriting and your individual circumstances.

AARP does not set the prices. Instead, AARP members receive discounted rates from partner insurers like New York Life, Transamerica, and others. The discount exists because AARP negotiates group rates on behalf of its members, but you still go through the insurance company's underwriting process and your health history matters. You cannot get a quote without providing personal information to the insurer.

Key Takeaways

  • Monthly premiums for AARP life insurance typically range from $30 to $150 depending on your age and the death benefit amount, with older applicants paying more.
  • AARP members receive negotiated discounts from partner insurance companies, but the actual insurer — not AARP — sets your final rate based on your health and age.
  • Term life policies (coverage for a set number of years) cost less per month than permanent policies (coverage for life), but expire after the term ends.
  • You will need to answer health questions and may need a medical exam; pre-existing conditions can raise your cost or result in coverage limits.

How age affects your monthly premium

Age is the single biggest factor in what you pay each month. Insurance companies charge more as you get older because the risk of death increases with age. A 55-year-old might pay $25 to $40 monthly for $100,000 in term coverage, while a 70-year-old could pay $60 to $100 for the same amount. At 80 and above, monthly costs can jump to $150 or more for modest coverage amounts.

This is why some people buy life insurance earlier rather than later — locking in a lower rate when you are younger means your premium stays the same for the entire term, even as you age. If you wait until 75 to buy a 10-year term policy, you will pay the 75-year-old rate for all 10 years, through age 85.

Term life versus permanent life policies

Term life insurance covers you for a specific number of years — typically 10, 15, 20, or 30 years. If you die during that term, your beneficiary receives the death benefit. If the term ends and you are still alive, the coverage stops and you receive nothing. Term policies cost significantly less per month because the insurance company's risk is limited to that time period.

Permanent life insurance (whole life or universal life) covers you for your entire life as long as you pay the premiums. It builds a cash value component that you can borrow against or withdraw. Permanent policies cost two to three times more per month than term policies because the insurer knows they will eventually pay out a death benefit. A 65-year-old might pay $40 monthly for a 20-year term policy but $120 to $180 monthly for a permanent policy with the same death benefit.

Most people choose term life because it fits their budget and covers the years when dependents rely on their income. Permanent life makes sense if you want lifelong coverage and have the budget for higher premiums.

How health conditions affect your cost

When you explore for AARP life insurance, the insurance company asks detailed health questions. Common conditions that raise your monthly cost include high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, cancer history, and lung disease. Some conditions may result in a higher premium; others may limit how much coverage you can get or exclude certain causes of death from the policy.

If you have a serious health condition, some AARP policies offer may provide issue or simplified issue options. may provide issue means you answer only a few basic health questions and cannot be turned down, but the monthly cost is higher and there may be a waiting period (often two to three years) before the full death benefit pays out if you die of natural causes. Simplified issue falls between standard and may provide — fewer health questions than standard underwriting, but more than may provide issue, and premiums are moderate.

Be honest on your health questionnaire. If you misrepresent your health and the insurer discovers it, they can deny a claim or cancel your policy.

Death benefit amounts and what they cost

The death benefit is the amount your beneficiary receives when you die. Common amounts are $25,000, $50,000, $100,000, $250,000, and $500,000. The higher the death benefit, the higher your monthly premium. A rough example: a 65-year-old in good health on a 20-year term might pay $30 monthly for $50,000 coverage but $60 monthly for $150,000 coverage.

Choose a death benefit that covers what you want to leave behind — funeral costs (typically $7,000 to $12,000), outstanding debts, or a lump sum for a surviving spouse or adult child. You do not need a large death benefit if you have no dependents and modest debts; a smaller amount keeps your monthly cost low.

Where to find actual quotes

AARP does not publish a rate table because premiums vary by insurer and your individual health. To see what you would actually pay, you need to request a quote from an AARP partner company. You can start by visiting AARP's life insurance page, which lists partner insurers and lets you request information. The insurance company will ask for your age, health history, and desired death benefit, then provide a quote.

You can also contact partner insurers directly — New York Life, Transamerica, and Mutual of Omaha all offer AARP-branded policies. Getting quotes from more than one company lets you compare monthly costs and coverage options. There is no cost to request a quote, and you are not obligated to buy.

What happens if you cannot afford the monthly premium

If your monthly premium becomes unaffordable, you have a few options. You can reduce the death benefit amount, which lowers the premium. You can switch from a permanent policy to a term policy. You can also let the policy lapse, though this means you lose coverage and cannot get it back without reapplying (and paying a higher rate based on your current age and health).

Some policies have a grace period — usually 30 days — during which you can pay a missed premium without losing coverage. Check your policy documents to see if yours does. If you are struggling with premiums, contact your insurance company to discuss options before you miss a payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does AARP life insurance require a medical exam?

It depends on the policy type and death benefit amount. may provide issue policies typically do not require an exam — only health questions. Standard underwriting policies often require an exam for larger death benefits (usually $250,000 or more). Ask the insurance company whether an exam is needed before you explore.

Can I get AARP life insurance if I am over 80?

Yes, but availability and cost vary by insurer. Some AARP partner companies offer coverage up to age 85 or 90, while others stop at 80. Premiums are significantly higher at advanced ages. Contact the insurer directly to see if you are within their age range and what the monthly cost would be.

What if I was denied life insurance before?

A previous denial does not automatically disqualify you from AARP life insurance. may provide issue policies are designed for people with health conditions or past denials. You will pay more per month, but you can get coverage. Different insurers have different underwriting standards, so you may be approved by one company even if another denied you.

Can I cancel my AARP life insurance policy anytime?

Yes. Most policies have a free look period (usually 10 to 30 days) during which you can cancel and get a full refund. After that, you can cancel anytime by contacting the insurance company, though you lose coverage when ready. There is no penalty for canceling, but you cannot get the policy back without reapplying.

Does AARP life insurance cover suicide?

Most policies exclude suicide during the first two years. If you die by suicide within that window, the insurer refunds your premiums to your beneficiary but does not pay the death benefit. After two years, suicide is typically covered. Check your policy documents for the exact exclusion period.