Age is the single biggest pricing factor in this market — and the chart’s steepness after 70 explains why buying earlier, even modestly, pays for itself.
Typical monthly premiums ($10,000 simplified issue, non-smoker)
| Age | Typical monthly premium ($10,000 benefit) |
|---|---|
| 50 | $28–45 |
| 55 | $33–54 |
| 60 | $41–66 |
| 65 | $52–86 |
| 70 | $68–112 |
| 75 | $92–155 |
| 80 | $128–210 |
| 85 | $175–290 |
How to read the chart honestly
- Five-year bands matter: each birthday past a band edge (70, 75, 80) repriced the policy permanently.
- Gender is real: women rate roughly 10–20% below men at the same age.
- Smoking doubles it: tobacco use is the second-biggest factor after age.
- Simplified vs guaranteed: the chart assumes health questions passed; guaranteed issue runs 30–60% above these lines.
| Age | Typical monthly premium ($10,000 benefit) |
|---|---|
| 50 | $28–45 |
| 55 | $33–54 |
| 60 | $41–66 |
| 65 | $52–86 |
| 70 | $68–112 |
| 75 | $92–155 |
| 80 | $128–210 |
| 85 | $175–290 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is burial insurance per month?
At 60: roughly $40–$70 monthly for $10,000. At 70: $65–$110. At 80: $100–$200 on guaranteed issue. Non-smoker simplified-issue rates sit at the low end of each band.
At what age should I buy final expense insurance?
The pricing curve says: as soon as the budget allows and health questions are passable — each band crossing raises the permanent price. Many buyers land between 55 and 70.
Why is final expense insurance so expensive for seniors?
Mortality pricing — the insurer expects claims sooner, so the same $10,000 costs more per month. It’s actuarial reality, not markup.
Do rates increase as I get older after buying?
No — properly structured final expense policies lock the premium for life at issue age. That’s the core reason to buy sooner: you keep today’s price permanently.