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🧘 Over 60s Life Insurance

Life Insurance for Over 60s Cover Still Available

3.2 million people over 60 in the UK have no life insurance. Your options may narrow after 60, but cover is still available, including guaranteed plans with no medical questions asked.

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Your Life Insurance Options After 60

Many people assume life insurance is no longer available or affordable once they reach 60. That is not the case. While some types of cover do become more limited, there are still several strong options available to you, and for some plans, your age and health do not matter at all.

The main types of life insurance available to over 60s in the UK are:

  • Guaranteed acceptance plans, available to anyone aged 50 to 85 with no medical questions. You cannot be turned down. Cover ranges from £1,000 to £25,000, with fixed premiums for life. There is a waiting period of 12 to 24 months for natural causes.
  • Whole of life insurance, provides lifelong cover with potentially higher payouts, but requires health disclosure. Available to over 60s from many providers, though premiums will be higher than for younger applicants.
  • Funeral plans, not technically life insurance, but an alternative that pre-pays for a specific funeral at today’s prices. Useful for those who want to lock in arrangements rather than leave a cash lump sum.

The right choice depends on your health, what you want the money to cover, and your budget. If you are in good health, a standard whole of life policy may offer better value. If you have health conditions or have been turned down elsewhere, a guaranteed plan gives you certainty.

Key fact: The average UK funeral now costs £4,295. Beyond funeral expenses, many over 60s use life insurance to leave an inheritance, help family with inheritance tax bills, or clear remaining debts. For detailed guidance, read our comprehensive guide to life insurance for over 50s.
Policy Comparison

Over 60s Guaranteed Plan vs Funeral Plan vs Whole of Life

Each option serves a different purpose. Understanding the differences helps you make the right choice for your family.

FeatureGuaranteed PlanFuneral PlanWhole of Life
What it paysCash lump sumPre-pays for a specificCash lump sum
Medical questionsNone, guaranteed acceptanceNoneYes, health disclosure
Cover£1,000–£25,000Covers one funeral£10,000–£500,000+
FlexibilityFamily chooses how to useCovers funeral onlyFamily chooses how to use
Waiting12–24 months (naturalVaries by providerUsually none
PremiumsFixed for lifeUsually fixed or one-offGuaranteed or reviewable
Best forThose wanting cashThose wanting funeral costsThose in reasonable health

Funeral plans are regulated by the FCA since July 2022. Always check your provider is FCA-authorised before purchasing a funeral plan.

Important: If you are considering a funeral plan, remember that it only covers the funeral itself, not any other expenses your family may face. A guaranteed life insurance plan gives your family a cash lump sum they can use for anything, including the funeral. Learn more about whole of life insurance.
Who Is It For?

Who Should Consider Over 60s Life Insurance?

Life insurance over 60 serves many purposes beyond just covering funeral costs. Here are the most common reasons people take out cover at this stage of life.

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Covering Funeral Costs

At £4,295 on average, a funeral is a significant expense. Over 60s life insurance ensures your family is not burdened with this cost at a time when they are already grieving.

Guaranteed plan from £12/month
💷

Leaving a Lump Sum to Family

Whether it is to help grandchildren get on the property ladder, support your children, or simply leave a financial gift, a life insurance payout goes directly to your named beneficiaries.

Write in trust for faster payout
🏛️

Paying an Inheritance Tax Bill

If your estate exceeds the £325,000 inheritance tax threshold, your beneficiaries could face a 40% tax bill. A whole of life policy written in trust can provide the cash to pay it without selling property.

Whole of life in trust recommended
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Those with Serious Health Conditions

Cancer, heart disease, COPD, diabetes, none of these conditions will prevent you from getting a guaranteed acceptance plan. No medical questions are asked, and your premiums are the same regardless of your health.

Guaranteed acceptance regardless
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Couples Wanting Joint Cover

Some providers offer joint guaranteed plans for couples. Alternatively, two single policies ensure both partners are covered independently, so the surviving partner retains their own protection.

Two single policies give double cover
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Those Turned Down by Other Insurers

If you have been declined for standard life insurance because of your age or health, a guaranteed acceptance plan will cover you. There are no medical questions, no health checks, and no grounds for refusal.

Cannot be refused cover

Unsure which type of cover is right for you? Let us help.

Get matched with an FCA-regulated adviser who will compare every option available to you and recommend the best plan for your circumstances and budget.

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Costs Explained

How Much Does Over 60s Life Insurance Cost?

The cost depends on your age at the start, the type of plan, and how much cover you want. Here are typical monthly costs for guaranteed acceptance plans.

£12–£25/mo
Age 60–69
For £5,000–£10,000 of guaranteed cover. Premiums are locked in from day one and will never increase, regardless of your health.
£20–£40/mo
Age 70–80
For £3,000–£8,000 of guaranteed cover. Starting later means higher premiums for less cover, so earlier is always better value.
Worth knowing: If you are in reasonable health, a standard whole of life policy could offer significantly more cover for a similar premium. It is always worth checking both options before committing. An adviser can compare guaranteed and underwritten policies side by side. See our full guide to life insurance costs.

With guaranteed plans, there is always a risk that total premiums exceed the payout if you live for many years. For example, paying £25 per month for 20 years totals £6,000, which could exceed your payout. Comparing the market helps you find the best balance of cover and cost.

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Real Reviews

What Our Customers Say

Dorothy G.
Dorothy G.
Devon • Over 60s Life Insurance
★★★★★
“Finally covered after years of trying”

I had been turned down three times because of my heart condition. With the guaranteed plan, there were no health questions at all. I am now covered for £8,000 and my family will not have to worry about my funeral costs.

Robert T.
Robert & Helen T.
Lancashire • Over 60s Life Insurance
★★★★★
“Much better than the plan we saw advertised”

We were about to sign up with a company from a TV advert. The adviser here found us both better cover for less money. We each have our own policy now, so both of us are protected.

Keith P.
Keith P.
Glasgow • Over 60s Life Insurance
★★★★★
“Sorted in 20 minutes, written in trust”

I wanted to leave something for my grandchildren and make sure the money did not get tied up in probate. The adviser set up a trust at no extra cost. The whole thing was done in less than half an hour.

Pauline J.
Pauline J.
Norwich • Over 60s Life Insurance
★★★★★
“Covered at 72 with no problems”

At 72, I thought it would be impossible to get life insurance. The guaranteed plan accepted me straight away with no medical questions. I am paying £18 a month for £6,000 and my son will not have to worry about a thing.

George W.
George W.
Cardiff • Over 60s Life Insurance
★★★★★
“Inheritance tax planning made simple”

I needed whole of life cover to help my children with the inheritance tax on our family home. The adviser set up a £40,000 policy written in trust. It was all explained in plain English and arranged within a week.

Sheila N.
Sheila N.
Bristol • Over 60s Life Insurance
★★★★★
“Better value than my previous plan”

I had been paying £22 a month for three years on a plan with less cover. The adviser found me £3,000 more in cover for £5 less a month. Switching was simple and I only wish I had compared sooner.

Learn More

Related Guides

Explore our guides for more detailed information on life insurance options available to the over 60s.

Life Insurance Over 50

Complete UK guide for over 50s

Whole of Life Insurance

Lifelong cover explained

Pre-Existing Conditions

Your options explained

Life Insurance in Trust

Protect your payout from tax

How Much Does It Cost?

UK pricing breakdown

Joint Life Insurance

Cover for couples
Got Questions?

Over 60s Life Insurance: Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. There are several types of life insurance available to people over 60 in the UK. Guaranteed acceptance plans require no medical questions and accept everyone aged 50 to 85. Standard whole of life and some term policies are also available up to age 70 or 75, depending on the provider, although these require health disclosure.
The main options for over 60s are guaranteed acceptance plans (no medical, cover from £1,000 to £25,000), whole of life insurance (requires health questions but offers higher cover), and funeral plans (pre-pay for a specific funeral arrangement). Some term life insurance policies are also available if you are under 65 or 70, depending on the insurer.
Not for guaranteed acceptance plans, these require no medical examination and no health questions at all. Standard whole of life policies may ask health questions but rarely require a physical medical exam at any age. The type of policy determines whether medical information is needed.
Costs depend on the type of policy, your age, and the amount of cover. For a guaranteed acceptance plan, a 65-year-old might pay £12 to £25 per month for £5,000 to £10,000 of cover. Standard whole of life policies can cost more but offer higher payouts. Premiums on guaranteed plans are fixed for life. See our guide to life insurance costs in the UK.
Life insurance pays a cash lump sum to your beneficiaries, who can use it for anything, funeral costs, debts, inheritance, or daily expenses. A funeral plan pre-pays for a specific funeral with a chosen funeral director at today’s prices. Life insurance offers greater flexibility, while funeral plans provide certainty about funeral arrangements and costs.
Guaranteed acceptance plans typically have a waiting period of 12 to 24 months. If you die from natural causes during this time, your beneficiaries receive a full refund of premiums paid rather than the payout. Accidental death is usually covered from day one. Standard policies with medical underwriting generally have no waiting period.
Yes. Guaranteed acceptance plans accept everyone aged 50 to 85 regardless of health conditions, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, COPD, and any other condition. No health questions are asked. If your condition is managed, you may also qualify for a standard policy with medical underwriting, potentially at a higher premium. Read our guide to cover with pre-existing conditions.
Guaranteed plans typically offer £1,000 to £25,000 of cover. Standard whole of life policies available to over 60s can provide significantly higher amounts, £50,000 or more, depending on your health and the provider. The right level depends on what you want the money to cover: funeral costs, debts, or an inheritance.
Yes. A whole of life policy written in trust can help your beneficiaries pay an inheritance tax bill without having to sell property or other assets. The payout goes directly to your chosen beneficiaries outside of your estate, so it is not subject to inheritance tax itself. This is one of the most common reasons for taking out life insurance later in life. See our guide to writing life insurance in trust.
If you are in reasonable health, a standard whole of life policy typically offers more cover for a similar premium, but it requires health questions and you may not be accepted. If you have significant health conditions or want guaranteed acceptance, a guaranteed plan is the safest choice. Comparing both types is always advisable. Read our guide to whole of life insurance.
Some providers offer joint guaranteed plans that cover both partners. However, joint policies typically only pay out once on the first death. Two separate policies cost more in total but provide a payout on each death, giving the surviving partner their own continued cover. An adviser can help you decide which approach is best. Read our joint life insurance guide.
Guaranteed acceptance plans cannot turn you down. There are no medical questions and no health-based exclusions. Even if you have been declined by multiple standard insurers due to your age or health conditions, a guaranteed over 60s plan will accept you. The only requirement is that you are within the eligible age range (typically 50 to 85).
No. On guaranteed acceptance plans, your premiums are fixed at the level set when you first take out the policy. They will never increase, regardless of your age or any changes to your health. Some standard whole of life policies have reviewable premiums that could increase, always check whether premiums are guaranteed or reviewable before committing.
Yes. Writing your policy in trust means the payout bypasses probate and goes directly to your beneficiaries, often within weeks rather than months. It also keeps the payout outside your estate for inheritance tax purposes. Setting up a trust is free with most providers and is strongly recommended for anyone taking out life insurance over 60.
Leading providers for over 60s include SunLife, British Seniors, AIG, Legal & General, and Royal London for guaranteed plans. For standard whole of life policies, Aviva, Zurich, and Royal London are well regarded. Comparing across all providers ensures you find the best value and the right type of cover for your individual needs.

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It takes 60 seconds. No medical questions on guaranteed plans. No obligation. Cover is still available for everyone over 60.

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