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

AARP life insurance is sold through New York Life, and the monthly premium you pay depends on three main things: how old you are when you enroll, whether you answer health questions or get a medical exam, and how much death benefit you want your policy to provide. There is no single monthly cost — a 60-year-old and an 80-year-old paying for the same coverage amount will pay very different premiums. AARP publishes sample rates on their website, but those are examples only, and your actual rate comes from New York Life after they review your information.

The policies AARP offers come in two main types: may provide Issue (no health questions asked) and Underwritten (you answer health questions, sometimes with a medical exam). may provide Issue costs more per month because the company takes on more risk. Underwritten policies cost less if you are in good health, because New York Life can verify that before they issue the policy.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP life insurance premiums are set by New York Life and vary based on your age, the type of policy, and the death benefit amount you choose.
  • may provide Issue policies require no health questions but cost more per month than Underwritten policies.
  • Sample rates are available on AARP's website, but your actual premium depends on your personal information and health history.
  • You can request a quote directly from New York Life without committing to anything, and the quote will show your exact monthly cost.
  • Monthly premiums stay the same for the life of the policy — they do not increase as you age.

How AARP may provide Issue policies are priced

may provide Issue policies are designed for people who do not want to answer health questions or take a medical exam. Because New York Life cannot verify your health before issuing the policy, the monthly cost is higher than it would be for an Underwritten policy at the same age and coverage amount. The trade-off is speed and simplicity — you can enroll without a doctor's visit or detailed health history.

The death benefit amounts available for may provide Issue typically range from $5,000 to $25,000, though this varies by age. Younger enrollees can usually get higher amounts. A 65-year-old might pay $30 to $50 per month for a $10,000 may provide Issue policy, while an 80-year-old might pay $80 to $120 per month for the same coverage. These are sample figures only — your actual rate depends on New York Life's current pricing and your specific age.

One important feature: may provide Issue policies usually have a graded death benefit for the first two or three years. This means if you die during that period from natural causes, your beneficiary receives only the premiums you paid back, not the full death benefit. If you die from an accident during that period, the full benefit is paid. After the graded period ends, the full death benefit applies to any cause of death.

How AARP Underwritten policies are priced

Underwritten policies require you to answer health questions and sometimes take a medical exam, depending on the coverage amount and your age. Because New York Life can assess your health before issuing the policy, the monthly premium is lower than may provide Issue. If you are in good health and willing to go through the underwriting process, this is usually the less expensive option.

Underwritten policies typically offer higher death benefit amounts — sometimes up to $100,000 or more, depending on your age and health. A 65-year-old in good health might pay $25 to $40 per month for a $25,000 Underwritten policy, compared to $50 to $70 per month for the same amount under may provide Issue. The difference grows larger at older ages.

The underwriting process usually takes one to two weeks. You will answer health questions on the process, and New York Life may request medical records from your doctor or ask you to take a medical exam. Once underwriting is complete and the policy is issued, there is no graded death benefit — the full amount is payable from day one, regardless of cause of death.

What affects your monthly premium

Age at enrollment is the largest factor in your monthly cost. AARP life insurance is available starting at age 50, and premiums increase significantly with each year of age. A policy issued at 60 will cost much less per month than the same policy issued at 75, because the company expects to pay the benefit sooner.

Death benefit amount is the second major factor. A $10,000 policy costs less per month than a $25,000 policy. You choose the amount when you enroll, and it stays the same for the life of the policy.

Policy type — may provide Issue or Underwritten — affects cost significantly. may provide Issue is simpler but costs more. Underwritten costs less if you are in good health but requires medical questions and possibly an exam.

Your health history matters only for Underwritten policies. If you have a history of heart disease, diabetes, or cancer, New York Life may decline the policy, offer it at a higher rate, or offer it with a rider that excludes certain causes of death. may provide Issue policies do not ask about health, so your medical history does not affect the rate.

Tobacco use is a separate rating factor. If you use tobacco, your monthly premium will be higher than a non-tobacco rate for the same coverage. You will be asked about tobacco use during underwriting.

How to get a quote for your specific situation

AARP publishes sample rates on their website to show how pricing works, but those examples do not explore to your specific age and health. To find out what you would actually pay, you need to request a quote from New York Life.

You can request a quote online through AARP's website or by calling New York Life directly at 1-800-552-2776. You will need to provide your age, the type of policy you are interested in (may provide Issue or Underwritten), and the death benefit amount. If you choose Underwritten, you will also answer health questions. New York Life will then provide a quote showing your exact monthly premium.

Getting a quote does not commit you to buying the policy. You can request quotes for different coverage amounts and policy types to compare costs before you decide. Many people request a may provide Issue quote and an Underwritten quote to see the price difference.

What happens to your premium over time

Once your AARP life insurance policy is issued, your monthly premium is may provide not to increase because of your age. The premium you pay at age 65 is the same premium you will pay at age 75, 85, or beyond. This is called a level premium, and it is one of the main advantages of enrolling while you are younger — you lock in a lower rate for life.

Your premium can only change if you change the policy itself — for example, if you increase the death benefit amount. Changes to the policy usually require new underwriting and a new quote.

AARP life insurance policies are issued by New York Life, and New York Life is a mutual company that sometimes pays dividends to policyholders. If dividends are paid, they can be used to reduce your monthly premium, though dividends are not may provide and vary year to year.

Where to find current rate information

AARP publishes sample rates on their life insurance page at aarp.org/lifeinsurance. These samples show how pricing works for different ages and coverage amounts, but they are not your personal quote. Sample rates are updated periodically but may not reflect current New York Life pricing.

For current rates and a quote based on your age and health, contact New York Life directly:

  • Phone: 1-800-552-2776 (available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern time)
  • Online: aarp.org/lifeinsurance (you can request a quote through the website)
  • Mail: You can also request information by mail through AARP, though phone or online is faster

When you call or request a quote online, have your age and preferred coverage amount ready. If you are interested in an Underwritten policy, be prepared to answer health questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my AARP life insurance premium go up as I get older?

No. Once your policy is issued, your monthly premium is locked in for life. It will not increase because you age. The only way your premium changes is if you modify the policy itself, such as increasing the death benefit amount.

What is the difference between the sample rates on AARP's website and what I would actually pay?

Sample rates are examples showing how pricing works for different ages and coverage amounts. Your actual rate depends on your specific age, health history (if Underwritten), tobacco use, and the exact coverage amount you choose. Request a quote from New York Life to see your personal rate.

Is AARP life insurance more expensive than life insurance from other companies?

AARP life insurance is sold through New York Life, and rates vary by company and policy type. Comparing costs requires getting quotes from multiple insurers for the same coverage amount and type. Some people find AARP rates competitive, especially for may provide Issue policies, while others find better rates elsewhere through underwriting.

Do I have to be an AARP member to buy this life insurance?

Yes, you must be an AARP member to purchase AARP life insurance. AARP membership is available to people age 50 and older. You can join AARP online or by phone, and membership costs $16 per year for the first year, then $24 per year after that.

What happens if I cannot afford the monthly premium?

If your premium becomes unaffordable, you can reduce the death benefit amount (which lowers the premium) or cancel the policy. Some policies also allow you to use accumulated dividends to pay the premium. Contact New York Life to discuss your options before you stop paying.