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How Much is Life Insurance? Average Costs Per Month

Life insurance from Aflac pays a cash death benefit to your designated beneficiaries after you pass.1 Having a policy can help your end-of-life planning and give financial protection to your loved ones after you die. Understanding the cost of life insurance can help you determine the best policy for you and your family. Here, we break down the average costs of life insurance and factors that can impact cost so you can determine the best value for you.

3.5 Min Read

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

  • The cost of life insurance can depend on the type of plan, like term life insurance (which lasts a fixed period of time) and whole life insurance (which offers lifetime coverage).2,3
  • The average life insurance policy costs $26 per month, but this amount varies depending on the policy type and other factors.4
  • Aflac offers both term life and whole life insurance policies that fit your budget and support your financial goals.

What is life insurance?

Life insurance is an insurance policy that pays a sum of money, known as a death benefit, to your chosen beneficiaries if you die while the policy is active.1 Life insurance can help beneficiaries replace your lost income, cover expenses or outstanding debts, or serve as an inheritance.

There are two primary types of life insurance:2,3

  • Term life insurance pays a death benefit if you die while the term is active, and is usually for a period of 10, 20, or 30 years.
  • Permanent life insurance is active for your full life as long as you pay monthly premiums. These policies accumulate cash value, which increases the death benefit and may have living benefits that you can access during your life.

How much is life insurance per month?

The average life insurance cost is $26 per month.4 However, rates vary significantly depending on a number of factors.

Factors that impact life insurance costs

There are several key factors that may affect the cost of life insurance. Some of the most important are:

  • Type of policy: Term life insurance tends to have lower premiums than permanent policies since they only pay out if you pass while the policy is active.2
  • Age: Generally, younger people pay less for life insurance.1
  • Gender: Since women have longer life expectancies than men, they tend to pay less in premiums than men.4
  • Health: Insurers may require a medical exam before approving a policy because pre-existing conditions and health factors like your height and weight will impact your premiums.4
  • Family history: People with a history of serious genetic conditions, such as heart disease, cancer, or diabetes may pay more.4
  • Lifestyle: Smokers, people with spotty driving records, and people with dangerous jobs or hobbies will usually pay more for life insurance.4

Each life insurance company has its own policies and procedures for estimating premiums. However, using our life insurance calculator can give you a general idea of what you might pay for a life insurance policy.

Average term life insurance cost by age and gender

Term life insurance costs are mainly influenced by the age of the policyholder, their gender, and how long the specified term is. The specific costs can depend on the insurance company you choose, but a few factors can help you understand potential term life insurance costs.

In general, term life insurance is more expensive the older you are. Additionally, term life insurance is more expensive for men than women because men tend to have shorter life expectancies.4

The average term life insurance annual rates for a $500,000, 20-year term life policy for nonsmokers are:4

Age Men Women
20 $213 $176
30 $215 $185
40 $331 $280
50 $815 $640
60 $2,351 $1,650
70 $9,702 $7,994
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Average whole life insurance cost by age and gender

In a whole life insurance plan, the term length is non-existent, so the length of the plan typically won't change the cost of this permanent life insurance. However, the same influences of age and gender also apply to whole life insurance costs.

A whole life insurance plan usually will need to be paid for in full for beneficiaries to access all the benefits. We recommend chatting with an insurance agent to help determine how beneficiaries can complete the plan's payments if needed. Additionally, the overarching face value of your plan will impact the total life insurance cost.5

The average annual rates for a $500,000 whole life insurance policy for nonsmokers are:4

Age Men Women
20 $2,933 $2,635
30 $4,013 $3,693
40 $5,853 $5,298
50 $8,785 $7,850
60 $14,183 $12,288
70 $25,153 $20,973

How to find comparable rates for life insurance

Here are some ways you can help find a life insurance policy that will fit within your budget needs:

  • Choose the right type of policy: If you only need coverage for a certain number of years, for instance, choose term life insurance instead of a permanent policy for competitive premiums.

  • Compare quotes: It's important to shop around online and compare quotes. Some life insurance companies may offer better rates than others.

  • Get a policy while you're young: Getting life insurance while you're young can help allow you to lock in reasonable premiums for the duration of the policy.

  • Maintain a healthy lifestyle: You can qualify for budget friendly life insurance premiums by staying healthy and not smoking.

How much life insurance do I need?

The amount of life insurance you need can depend on factors such as your debts, income, number of dependents, and how long you want to be covered. For instance, it is usually recommended that you apply for a policy worth 10 times your income if you want to help provide your loved ones with financial stability after your passing. Or, if you have a mortgage or other long-term debts, you should get a coverage amount that would help loved ones be able to pay these debts off if you unexpectedly pass away.

Get life insurance from Aflac

Depending on your unique needs and goals, Aflac offers both term and whole life insurance plans, depending on your unique needs and goals. Speaking to an agent can help clarify what your life insurance costs could be like.

Get a quote today to see how an Aflac life insurance plan could fit into your budget. Understanding potential monthly costs can help you plan for the future better.

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