Jason Fisher Looking for sample life insurance rates to know what to expect for your policy?
Below are several charts with actual life insurance quotes from the nation’s leading insurance companies.
Use the quick guide to view the rates which apply to your situation.
Table of Contents
Average Term Life Insurance Rates in 2021
The following chart displays sample life insurance rates based on age for both males and females in 5-year increments.
Rates shown are for a 10-year term insurance policy for healthy, but average individuals who do not use tobacco products.
These are not the top tier, best rates available for these demographics, but Standard (or average) rates!
Average Rates for Males
| Age | $250,000 | $500,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | $16.75 | $26.57 |
| 30 | $16.75 | $26.57 |
| 35 | $16.75 | $27.04 |
| 40 | $21.20 | $35.87 |
| 45 | $26.47 | $46.81 |
| 50 | $46.18 | $84.65 |
| 55 | $70.84 | $128.01 |
| 60 | $110.68 | $195.31 |
| 65 | $187.62 | $347.53 |
| 70 | $314.11 | $611.84 |
| 75 | $584.94 | $1,163.47 |
| 80 | $1,156.09 | $2,306.06 |
Average Rates for Females
| $250,000 | $500,000 | |
| 25 | $14.12 | $21.75 |
| 30 | $14.12 | $21.75 |
| 35 | $14.42 | $22.66 |
| 40 | $18.94 | $31.35 |
| 45 | $25.74 | $44.25 |
| 50 | $35.85 | $63.85 |
| 55 | $50.93 | $90.13 |
| 60 | $71.49 | $131.88 |
| 65 | $120.47 | $218.03 |
| 70 | $193.44 | $373.98 |
| 75 | $375.34 | $670.14 |
| 80 | $860.00 | $1,677.00 |
NOTE: Some companies will use the age you are on the day you apply, and others use what is called “nearest birthday” instead, meaning you count as one year older after your half birthday.
Why show you average life insurance quotes, and not the best possible rates?
Most people are average, so the sample premiums above are what most people will experience!
The only way to get an accurate number is to get a quote using your personal information.
Here are the companies we recommend right now:
| Company | Our rating |
|---|---|
| Northwestern Mutual | 5.00/5.00 |
| New York Life | 4.83/5.00 |
| MassMutual | 4.74/5.00 |
| Pacific Life | 4.54/5.00 |
| Banner | 4.52/5.00 |
| Guardian | 4.50/5.00 |
| Principal | 4.47/5.00 |
| Protective | 4.43/5.00 |
| Mutual of Omaha | 4.40/5.00 |
| USAA | 4.37/5.00 |
Life Insurance Rates By Age
Below you’ll find life insurance rate charts organized into age groups, who are seeking 10 year term policies.
Use the links below to jump to your corresponding age bracket:
Life Insurance Quotes for 20 – 29 Year Olds
The following chart is for men and women ages 20 – 29, who are healthy, do not use tobacco, and seek between $250,000 and $500,000 in coverage.
Males
| Age | $250,000 | $500,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | $9.82 | $13.75 |
| 21 | $9.82 | $13.75 |
| 22 | $9.82 | $13.75 |
| 23 | $9.82 | $13.75 |
| 24 | $9.82 | $13.75 |
| 25 | $9.82 | $13.75 |
| 26 | $9.82 | $13.75 |
| 27 | $9.82 | $13.75 |
| 28 | $9.82 | $13.75 |
| 29 | $9.82 | $13.75 |
Females
| Age | $250,000 | $500,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | $8.53 | $11.22 |
| 21 | $8.53 | $11.22 |
| 22 | $8.53 | $11.22 |
| 23 | $8.53 | $11.22 |
| 24 | $8.53 | $11.22 |
| 25 | $8.53 | $11.22 |
| 26 | $8.56 | $11.22 |
| 27 | $8.60 | $11.30 |
| 28 | $8.64 | $11.38 |
| 29 | $8.69 | $11.42 |
Life Insurance Quotes for 30 – 39 Year Olds
The following chart is for men and women ages 30 – 39, who are healthy, do not use tobacco, and seek between $250,000 and $500,000 in coverage.
Males
| Age | $250,000 | $500,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | $9.82 | $13.75 |
| 31 | $9.82 | $13.95 |
| 32 | $9.82 | $13.95 |
| 33 | $9.82 | $14.06 |
| 34 | $9.82 | $14.06 |
| 35 | $9.82 | $14.06 |
| 36 | $10.17 | $14.83 |
| 37 | $10.54 | $15.60 |
| 38 | $10.97 | $16.41 |
| 39 | $11.44 | $17.52 |
Females
| age | $250,000 | $500,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | $8.71 | $11.44 |
| 31 | $8.77 | $11.62 |
| 32 | $8.79 | $11.70 |
| 33 | $8.90 | $11.80 |
| 34 | $8.94 | $11.88 |
| 35 | $8.98 | $11.96 |
| 36 | $9.31 | $12.62 |
| 37 | $9.66 | $13.32 |
| 38 | $10.03 | $14.06 |
| 39 | $10.43 | $14.86 |
Life Insurance Quotes for 40 – 49 Year Olds
The following chart is for men and women ages 40 – 49, who are healthy, do not use tobacco, and seek between $250,000 and $500,000 in coverage.
Males
| Age | $250,000 | $500,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | $11.96 | $18.37 |
| 41 | $12.88 | $20.24 |
| 42 | $13.86 | $21.78 |
| 43 | $14.90 | $23.80 |
| 44 | $15.69 | $25.38 |
| 45 | $16.81 | $27.62 |
| 46 | $18.48 | $30.76 |
| 47 | $19.78 | $33.30 |
| 48 | $21.19 | $36.04 |
| 49 | $22.70 | $38.98 |
Females
| Age | $250,000 | $500,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | $10.86 | $15.72 |
| 41 | $11.58 | $17.16 |
| 42 | $12.37 | $18.74 |
| 43 | $13.24 | $20.48 |
| 44 | $14.19 | $22.38 |
| 45 | $15.15 | $24.30 |
| 46 | $16.44 | $26.34 |
| 47 | $17.42 | $28.34 |
| 48 | $18.48 | $30.37 |
| 49 | $19.64 | $32.58 |
Life Insurance Quotes for 50 – 59 Year Olds
The following chart is for men and women ages 50 – 59, who are healthy, do not use tobacco, and seek between $250,000 and $500,000 in coverage.
Males
| Age | $250,000 | $500,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | $24.32 | $42.15 |
| 51 | $26.51 | $46.64 |
| 52 | $28.91 | $51.56 |
| 53 | $31.56 | $56.68 |
| 54 | $34.54 | $62.75 |
| 55 | $37.76 | $69.73 |
| 56 | $41.40 | $76.23 |
| 57 | $45.36 | $83.77 |
| 58 | $49.81 | $92.79 |
| 59 | $54.59 | $101.93 |
Females
| Age | $250,000 | $500,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | $20.90 | $34.99 |
| 51 | $22.31 | $37.57 |
| 52 | $23.81 | $40.96 |
| 53 | $25.46 | $44.31 |
| 54 | $26.91 | $47.69 |
| 55 | $29.20 | $52.05 |
| 56 | $31.28 | $55.99 |
| 57 | $33.54 | $59.65 |
| 58 | $36.05 | $63.08 |
| 59 | $38.80 | $69.78 |
Life Insurance Quotes for 60 – 69 Year Olds
The following chart is for men and women ages 60 – 69, who are healthy, do not use tobacco, and seek between $100,000 and $250,000 in coverage.
Males
| Age | $100,000 | $250,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 60 | $29.31 | $59.73 |
| 61 | $33.46 | $67.30 |
| 62 | $36.84 | $74.64 |
| 63 | $38.68 | $83.04 |
| 64 | $40.51 | $92.09 |
| 65 | $42.35 | $96.69 |
| 66 | $54.34 | $116.20 |
| 67 | $64.05 | $129.77 |
| 68 | $69.21 | $145.71 |
| 69 | $73.41 | $162.15 |
Females
| age | $100,000 | $250,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 60 | $23.99 | $41.83 |
| 61 | $25.64 | $45.93 |
| 62 | $27.43 | $50.43 |
| 63 | $29.45 | $55.46 |
| 64 | $31.63 | $60.93 |
| 65 | $33.43 | $66.91 |
| 66 | $38.29 | $74.18 |
| 67 | $42.50 | $82.07 |
| 68 | $44.98 | $90.78 |
| 69 | $49.26 | $100.30 |
Life Insurance Quotes for 70 – 79 Year Olds
The following chart is for men and women ages 70 – 79, who are healthy, do not use tobacco, and seek between $50,000 and $100,000 in coverage.
Males
| Age | $50,000 | $100,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | $51.07 | $79.36 |
| 71 | $57.03 | $96.84 |
| 72 | $63.95 | $107.09 |
| 73 | $71.99 | $118.84 |
| 74 | $81.52 | $127.49 |
| 75 | $92.74 | $133.79 |
| 76 | $208.29 | $155.75 |
| 77 | $238.48 | $177.71 |
| 78 | $266.00 | $199.68 |
| 79 | $293.34 | $221.64 |
Females
| Age | $50,000 | $100,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | $39.06 | $55.48 |
| 71 | $43.33 | $66.31 |
| 72 | $48.20 | $74.80 |
| 73 | $53.90 | $85.10 |
| 74 | $60.51 | $90.74 |
| 75 | $68.34 | $96.25 |
| 76 | $144.11 | $115.85 |
| 77 | $172.68 | $135.45 |
| 78 | $200.20 | $155.05 |
| 79 | $222.21 | $175.53 |
Life Insurance Quotes for 80 – 85 Year Olds
The following chart is for men and women ages 80 – 85, who are healthy, do not use tobacco, and seek between $5,000 and $25,000 in coverage.
Due to the lower death benefit amount, these are not 10 year term polices, but final expense insurance plans, instead.
Males
| Age | $5,000 | $25,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 80 | $61.27 | $297.86 |
| 81 | $65.71 | $320.05 |
| 82 | $70.39 | $343.46 |
| 83 | $75.32 | $367.33 |
| 84 | $80.23 | $390.96 |
| 85 | $84.95 | $414.57 |
Females
| age | $5,000 | $25,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 80 | $45.45 | $217.07 |
| 81 | $48.88 | $234.20 |
| 82 | $53.31 | $256.34 |
| 83 | $57.43 | $276.93 |
| 84 | $61.86 | $299.12 |
| 85 | $66.30 | $321.30 |
Life Insurance Rates By Term Period
The following charts show life insurance quotes based on different products and their level term period.
The stated year simply means how long the policy will have level premiums. Your payment each month will remain the same until the end of the term period.
10 Year Term Life Rates
Rates shown are for a 10-year term insurance policy for healthy individuals who do not use tobacco products.
Males
| Age | $250,000 | $500,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | $9.82 | $13.75 |
| 30 | $9.82 | $13.76 |
| 35 | $9.82 | $14.06 |
| 40 | $11.96 | $18.37 |
| 45 | $16.81 | $25.38 |
| 50 | $24.32 | $42.15 |
| 55 | $37.76 | $70.13 |
| 60 | $59.73 | $111.78 |
| 65 | $96.69 | $187.25 |
| 70 | $178.06 | $319.34 |
| 75 | $325.28 | $644.44 |
| 80 | $599.81 | $1,193.50 |
Females
| Age | $250,000 | $500,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | $8.53 | $11.22 |
| 30 | $8.71 | $11.44 |
| 35 | $8.98 | $11.96 |
| 40 | $10.86 | $15.72 |
| 45 | $15.15 | $22.38 |
| 50 | $20.90 | $34.99 |
| 55 | $29.20 | $52.05 |
| 60 | $41.83 | $75.95 |
| 65 | $66.91 | $123.30 |
| 70 | $110.47 | $198.74 |
| 75 | $217.81 | $419.62 |
| 80 | $478.84 | $951.56 |
20 Year Term Life Rates
Rates shown are for a 20-year term insurance policy for healthy individuals who do not use tobacco products.
Males
| Age | $250,000 | $500,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | $11.80 | $18.53 |
| 30 | $11.94 | $18.87 |
| 35 | $13.53 | $21.28 |
| 40 | $17.71 | $29.17 |
| 45 | $26.78 | $47.58 |
| 50 | $40.16 | $72.76 |
| 55 | $62.48 | $117.71 |
| 60 | $109.53 | $202.63 |
| 65 | $202.79 | $392.00 |
| 70 | $409.53 | $800.01 |
| 75 | Not Avail. | Not Avail. |
| 80 | Not Avail. | Not Avail. |
Females
| Age | $250,000 | $500,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | $10.24 | $15.32 |
| 30 | $10.52 | $16.05 |
| 35 | $10.95 | $16.88 |
| 40 | $14.32 | $23.62 |
| 45 | $21.40 | $37.46 |
| 50 | $30.70 | $55.30 |
| 55 | $46.18 | $85.49 |
| 60 | $77.39 | $139.74 |
| 65 | $134.96 | $255.98 |
| 70 | $317.89 | $629.41 |
| 75 | Not Avail. | Not Avail. |
| 80 | Not Avail. | Not Avail. |
30 Year Term Life Rates
Rates shown are for a 30-year term insurance policy for healthy individuals who do not use tobacco products.
Males
| Age | $250,000 | $500,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | $18.46 | $30.47 |
| 30 | $19.25 | $31.71 |
| 35 | $21.79 | $36.63 |
| 40 | $29.06 | $51.24 |
| 45 | $44.25 | $80.07 |
| 50 | $70.98 | $129.02 |
| 55 | $123.63 | $238.27 |
| 60 | $693.50 | Not Avail. |
| 65 | Not Avail. | Not Avail. |
| 70 | Not Avail. | Not Avail. |
| 75 | Not Avail. | Not Avail. |
| 80 | Not Avail. | Not Avail. |
Females
| Age | $250,000 | $500,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | $15.27 | $24.52 |
| 30 | $16.51 | $26.71 |
| 35 | $18.82 | $30.87 |
| 40 | $24.06 | $41.73 |
| 45 | $35.11 | $61.79 |
| 50 | $53.05 | $95.15 |
| 55 | $84.88 | $163.63 |
| 60 | $693.50 | Not Avail. |
| 65 | Not Avail. | Not Avail. |
| 70 | Not Avail. | Not Avail. |
| 75 | Not Avail. | Not Avail. |
| 80 | Not Avail. | Not Avail. |
Term to 90 Sample Rates
Rates shown are for a universal insurance policy with level premiums to age 90 (considered Term to 90) for healthy individuals who do not use tobacco products.
Males
| Age | $250,000 | $500,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | $80.77 | $160.73 |
| 30 | $96.50 | $189.88 |
| 35 | $111.80 | $218.81 |
| 40 | $125.91 | $251.81 |
| 45 | $105.30 | $300.58 |
| 50 | $184.17 | $368.32 |
| 55 | $238.18 | $476.36 |
| 60 | $290.72 | $581.43 |
| 65 | $379.32 | $758.63 |
| 70 | $476.50 | $952.99 |
| 75 | $613.15 | $1,155.22 |
| 80 | $1,040.71 | $2,081.42 |
Females
| Age | $250,000 | $500,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | $69.32 | $132.91 |
| 30 | $79.57 | $152.45 |
| 35 | $89.17 | $170.65 |
| 40 | $106.94 | $204.53 |
| 45 | $123.12 | $240.50 |
| 50 | $153.32 | $306.62 |
| 55 | $194.29 | $381.80 |
| 60 | $249.15 | $495.95 |
| 65 | $322.21 | $637.56 |
| 70 | $429.58 | $836.30 |
| 75 | $591.96 | $1,128.72 |
| 80 | $831.56 | $1,663.11 |
Life Insurance Rates For Smokers
The following chart will give you an idea of the average cost of life insurance for smokers, which tends to be 3x-5x more than a non-smoker.
We’ve compared quotes for a 10-year term with a death benefit of $250,000 from the charts above, but added in a side-by-side comparisons so you can see the difference.
Males
| Age | Standard | Smoker |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | $9.82 | $24.14 |
| 30 | $9.82 | $24.58 |
| 35 | $9.82 | $32.03 |
| 40 | $11.96 | $42.20 |
| 45 | $16.81 | $66.56 |
| 50 | $24.32 | $39.37 |
| 55 | $37.76 | $147.46 |
| 60 | $59.73 | $230.77 |
| 65 | $96.69 | $373.99 |
| 70 | $178.06 | $574.12 |
| 75 | $325.28 | $980.68 |
| 80 | $599.81 | $2,223.88 |
Females
| Age | Standard | Smoker |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | $8.53 | $15.44 |
| 30 | $8.71 | $18.92 |
| 35 | $8.98 | $26.44 |
| 40 | $10.86 | $37.82 |
| 45 | $15.15 | $55.03 |
| 50 | $20.90 | $75.87 |
| 55 | $29.20 | $108.79 |
| 60 | $41.83 | $155.02 |
| 65 | $66.91 | $237.17 |
| 70 | $110.47 | $366.63 |
| 75 | $217.81 | $559.83 |
| 80 | $478.84 | $1,505.44 |
Just using the numbers above, here’s how much more smokers pay:
- Males: 224% more!
- Females: 214% more!
That’s a big difference.
Common Questions
Because of the wide range of how much people pay for life insurance, here are some common questions with their answers to help make your decision easier.
How Are Life Insurance Quotes Determined?
The primary list of factors include:
- Age
- Gender
- Tobacco Use
- Death Benefit Amount
- Duration of Coverage
- BMI (body mass index)
- Overall Health
- Family History
Life insurance quotes are determined by actuaries who evaluate risk on behalf of the insurers who underwrite life insurance policies.
In other words, all life insurance companies have predetermined their rates for both men and women, of all ages, and all health classes. They repeat this for each product.
When you are quoted a certain cost for life insurance, the rate you are quoted is based on how you are expected to qualify.
Apples to apples, men will pay more than women because they have a shorter life expectancy, statistically.
There are also a large number of other risks, from your driving record to where you might travel in the future. These are all reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
REMEMBER: A quote is only an estimate, and the final rate offered by any life insurance company is pending underwriting.
What Health Classes Are Available?
There are a set number of health ratings, or classes, available for common term policies.
Each company might call them something slightly different, but they are:
- Preferred Best. Preferred Best is the best rating one could achieve. A small percentage of applicants receive this rating, and they show virtually no indication of long term risk.
- Preferred. Preferred is the second-best discounted rate one could achieve. A higher percentage of applicants receive this rating when compared to Preferred Best, and they show a very low indication of long term risk.
- Standard Plus. Standard Plus is the third and final discounted rate one could achieve. An even higher percentage of applicants receive this rating, and they show a fairly low-risk indicator.
- Standard. Standard is the “average” rating. Most applicants receive this rating, and they are expected to reach a normal life expectancy.
- Sub-Standard. Sub-Standard is reserved only for those who have greater than average longevity risks, usually associated with health impairments, dangerous activities or job occupations. Other fairly obvious risks that might cause a person to die prematurely reside here, as well.
If you use tobacco products, you will use a Tobacco rating schedule.
A Preferred Tobacco and Standard Tobacco are, generally, the only two available before falling into the Sub-Standard Tobacco ratings.
Do You Have To Take An Exam?
You don’t have to, but if you want the cheapest possible life insurance rates you can find, it will require an exam.
Lots of companies offer life insurance without having to complete blood work, but they offer these to answer the call of convenience.
You pay for this convenience by having slightly higher costs than someone who completes the exam.
Should You Buy Term Or Whole Life?
If you are exclusively worried about how much life insurance costs, and you want nothing but value, term is the way to go.
Most people, especially those under the age of 45, are best matched with a term life insurance policy.
A huge, huge percentage of all life insurance policies are term insurance because term is the cheapest life insurance policy one can buy.
The reason is because the longer the life insurance policy is guaranteed by the insurance company, the more it will cost you.
Of course, whole life exists because there are some reasons people may need it. It’s just not for everyone.
Just know whole life insurance is much more expensive per thousand of death benefit when compared to term.
How Much Does “X” Dollar Amount In Life Insurance Cost?
While not an easy question to answer without looking up the numbers directly, it’s an interesting question you should consider asking.
Why?
There are price breaks you can take advantage of when shopping for life insurance.
Here are the most common amounts where you can get more coverage, for less:
If you were originally planning on just less than one of these coverage amounts, double-check what it will cost you at the next break level.
In many cases, we find people can get more coverage and pay less each month!
What’s That Thing About Insurance Age, Again?
Insurance age is the age you’ll be within your policy if you applied today.
While it might sound somewhat intuitive at first, it isn’t as simple as stating the age you are at this very moment.
Rather, insurance age can vary by carrier.
Some carriers will go by whichever age you are closest to, called “age nearest,” to determine your rate.
In other words, if you are past your half birthday, you will already be a year older in their books.
For example, let’s say you were born on New Year’s Day.
Up until July 1st, you’re still your current age. But each year, starting in July, you will now, by the calendar, be closer to your next birthday than your previous one.
Just know these two things:
- There’s a good chance only an agent will be able to tell you which carrier does what.
- If you’re just a few days past your half or real birthday, you may be able to pay back premiums to secure a previous age.
What About Companies Who Increase Rates By Age Bracket?
This one is a little tricky.
Some companies, like AARP or Colonial Penn, have based their prices on different pricing structures.
These aren’t normal term policies, however. You won’t be able to make an apples-to-apples comparison with one of their products with those on the open market.
Are You Taking Advantage Of Every Discount?
A lot of people ask about bundling life insurance policies with home and auto insurance plans, or ask if there are Veteran discounts, senior discounts or any other way to cut costs.
The answer to these is:
No.
However, if you pay annually, you can save just a little more.
Most companies offer some type of discount if you pay by the year instead of monthly. If you pay quarterly, you might get charge more.
