As humans become seniors or older adults, they reach a phase that prepares them for the inevitable end of their life cycle. This phase is one of the main reasons to start thinking about life insurance.
Many people will like to alleviate the burdens on the loved ones they will be living behind, while others with a terminal illness or critical medical conditions will want to pay their debt as they approach the last page of their life.
If you have been thinking of the best way to alleviate or eliminate a few financial difficulties—such as your imminent funeral expenses and lingering medical bills—from the loved ones you will be leaving behind, or a way to pay off your mortgage or other debts when you pass away. You will need life insurance to initiate any of these plans.
It is a form of insurance that primarily involves a contract between two parties; the insurance policyholder and the insurer. The regular premium payment of the insured will be exchanged for a sum of money (benefits) that will be directed to a specific beneficiary of your choosing when the insured (the policyholder) passes away.
The degree of coverage you will benefit from your insurance is dependent on three primary factors, which are the current living conditions, the structure of your insurance policy, and your policy requirements (what you will like your insurance policy to provide). A younger insurance policyholder primarily serves as financial assistance for a growing family and provides coverage for financial obligations, such as a mortgage.
Furthermore, the benefits from your insurance are not limited to access through your death only because you can also access these benefits when you are suffering from a critical illness or terminal illness that demands long-term medical care. It, however, makes life insurance policy vital because it is as valuable as a planning tool.
What’s the best time to purchase a life insurance policy
It is always advisable to purchase a life insurance policy before you are fifty years of age because the cost of purchasing the policy displays a gradual increase right from when you are fifty years of age; Because studies have shown that there is an eight percent rise in the rate of this insurance for older adults at their early fifties, which further increases to about ten percent at their late fifties.
However, the cost is not the only factor that is affected by the age of the policyholder because as you age, you will be limited to a few coverages you would have benefitted from if you had purchased the policy earlier. In addition to this, the availability of coverage to purchase always decrease as you approach retirement age, which is primarily due to the limitation in your insurable interest.
Insurance providers usually calculate and make estimates of the amount of income you will be expected to produce or generate during your remaining working career. If you have a fewer duration of your working career before you retire, it will result in the limitation of the coverage you can purchase. The closer you approach retirement age, the lower the availability of coverage you can purchase. Therefore the coverage you will be able to purchase after retirement will be much lower. That is why it is advisable to purchase an insurance policy sooner than later so that you will be able to get enough coverage.
Types of life insurance
- Term life insurance
- Permanent life insurance
- Universal life Insurance
- Final expenses insurance
- Survivorship life insurance
Term life insurance
This is a type of insurance that provides coverage limited to a specific amount of time. When the coverage ends, the premiums may be increased, or the insurers may terminate the policy. The particular duration for term life insurance usually reduces with an increase in age. For instance, insurance providers do not offer seniors that are above sixty years of age with term life insurance policies that are above thirty years but instead, they will offer them a coverage length lesser or equal to twenty years.
The short duration of coverage length offered by this insurance is responsible for their inexpensive property, which is its main advantage.
Permanent life insurance
This simply involves the making of a particular type of insurance policy you choose, a permanent type of insurance. The common type of policy made permanent is a whole life insurance policy. Almost all types of permanent life insurance policies usually come with investment or savings components, which results in the development of the policy’s cash value.
However, the policyholder has accessibility to the cash value of a permanent life insurance policy as loans and can also pay your premiums to maintain your insurance policy when you have financial issues.
Universal life insurance
This is a flexible type of insurance policy that gives you the choice of choosing how you wish to pay your premium. The premium paid by the policyholder will, however, split into two groups, whereby one will be for the coverage of life insurance, and the other will go into savings or investments.
Furthermore, the cost of insurance usually creates the minimum amount—you may choose to pay for a specific range, including your death benefits and administrative fees.
Final expenses insurance
A final expense insurance policy is also called burial or funeral insurance, which is a type of whole life insurance designed explicitly with about $50,000 coverage for the medical bills and funeral expenses when a senior passes.
Survivorship life insurance: Survivorship insurance policy is generally known by its moniker called “second-to-die insurance policy.” They provide coverage for two individuals (usually couples) and pays benefits to the beneficiary these two insured people choose after they pass away. However, there are situations where survivorship insurance may come with an option connected with universal or whole life insurance policies.
The best life insurance apt for the following types of life insurance
There are, however, several life insurance options for seniors in the market with convincing coverage. Still, studies and research have shown the best amongst the various types of insurance policies. These insurance providers include Mutual of Omaha, Pacific Life, New York Life, and State Farm life insurance, which are the best final expense, universal, term life, whole life insurances, respectively.
It is always advisable to analyze more than the cost of purchasing insurance and do research for several other options with coverage that suit your requirements.