Life insurance cost by age · Planning ahead
Life insurance cost at 50
At 50, both term life and final expense coverage are on the table — and the right mix depends on your mortgage, your spouse and your savings.
The short answer
20-year, $500,000 term: about $84–$201/mo for women and $97–$269/mo for men — healthy non-smokers, from real carrier rate tables. Your health, tobacco use, state and the carrier you choose decide the real price.
Term life insurance at 50
| Term | Coverage | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 years | $250,000 | $27–$65/mo | $32–$90/mo |
| 10 years | $500,000 | $54–$131/mo | $65–$180/mo |
| 10 years | $1,000,000 | $108–$262/mo | $130–$360/mo |
| 20 years | $250,000 | $42–$100/mo | $49–$135/mo |
| 20 years | $500,000 | $84–$201/mo | $97–$269/mo |
| 20 years | $1,000,000 | $168–$401/mo | $194–$538/mo |
| 30 years | $250,000 | $67–$128/mo | $90–$179/mo |
| 30 years | $500,000 | $134–$256/mo | $179–$359/mo |
| 30 years | $1,000,000 | $267–$512/mo | $359–$718/mo |
Healthy non-smokers. Low end: best health class at the most competitive carriers; high end: typical, including no-exam options. “—” = not enough products in our tables at this age.
Tobacco users: a 20-year, $500,000 policy runs about $327–$538/mo for women and $415–$647/mo for men at 50.
Final expense (burial) insurance at 50
| Coverage | Women | Men | Women (tobacco) | Men (tobacco) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | $26–$29/mo | $31–$34/mo | $35–$41/mo | $44–$48/mo |
| $15,000 | $38–$41/mo | $46–$49/mo | $51–$59/mo | $64–$71/mo |
| $25,000 | $62–$67/mo | $75–$79/mo | $81–$97/mo | $105–$117/mo |
Day-one (level) whole life plans for applicants who qualify. Premiums never increase; coverage never expires.
What life insurance is for at 50
At 50 many people still have a mortgage and a spouse who depends on their income, but kids may be grown.
It’s also the first age when final expense whole life starts to make sense as a permanent base.
What most 50-year-olds buy
- 10–20 year term for the remaining mortgage and income years
- Final expense whole life ($10,000–$25,000) for permanent coverage
- Converting or replacing term that expires in your 60s
What affects your price at 50
Health history weighs more heavily now. Simplified-issue final expense accepts many managed conditions for day-one coverage — see our condition guides. See our health-condition guides.
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Life insurance at 50 — FAQ
How much does life insurance cost for a 50-year-old?
For a healthy non-smoker: 20-year, $500,000 term: about $84–$201/mo for women and $97–$269/mo for men, based on carrier rate tables we work with. The low end is the best health class at the most competitive carriers; health, tobacco, state and carrier change the real price.
How much more do smokers pay at 50?
Much more: a 20-year, $500,000 term policy runs about $415–$647/mo for men and $327–$538/mo for women who use tobacco at 50, versus the non-smoker ranges above. Quitting for 12 months can qualify you for non-smoker rates at many carriers.
What’s the best life insurance for a 50-year-old?
Usually a mix: term for the years your mortgage and income matter most, plus a smaller whole life policy that never expires for final expenses.