Life Insurance for Seniors Over 60 in Canada

Turning 60 is a major milestone for many Canadians. It often signals a transition into retirement and newfound free time to enjoy your golden years. But even as your priorities shift, maintaining life insurance should still be considered as part of your financial plan.

This in-depth guide examines the compelling reasons seniors should keep their coverage, the types of life insurance for seniors over 60, factors that influence costs, and tips for obtaining affordable rates. Read on for insights to help position you for financial security in your later years.

Why Life Insurance for Seniors Over 60 Is Important?

Many Canadians let their life insurance lapse as they get older, assuming their need for coverage has passed. However, life insurance for seniors remains a valuable tool for financial security, offering key benefits such as covering final expenses, leaving an inheritance, or settling outstanding debts. Here are five important reasons to maintain a policy into your senior years:

Paying Off Debts

According to Loans Canada, the average debt load for households led by someone aged 65+ is $127,836. This can include mortgages, lines of credit, car loans, and credit card balances. (source: https://loanscanada.ca/debt/average-debt-by-age-canada/)

If you were to pass away unexpectedly, your surviving spouse or family members would be left paying down these debts themselves. This could significantly reduce assets and income available to them at an already challenging time.

Read more: Family Life Insurance

The payout from a life insurance policy provides your loved ones with funds to pay off any outstanding debts, so they don’t take on that financial burden. This helps set them up for secure financial footing as they adjust to life without you.

Covering Final Expenses

Funerals, burials, cremations, and other end-of-life expenses in Canada can quickly run up costs of $10,000 or more. Additional expenses like burial plots, headstones, flowers, transportation, and catering for memorial events can drive that total even higher. Without adequate planning, surviving family members may struggle to cover these large one-time costs.

Life insurance helps by ensuring funds are earmarked specifically to cover your final arrangements. Your loved ones can use the payout to cover all those expenses without dipping into other assets. This alleviates financial stress during an already difficult time.

Leaving an Inheritance

Given longer life expectancies today, more and more Canadians continue working and accumulating wealth into their 60s and 70s. This increased prosperity means leaving an inheritance for the next generation, which has become quite important. Canadian seniors want to leave an inheritance for their children, grandchildren, or other heirs. Doing so provides a meaningful legacy that sets up your loved ones financially for decades to come.

Rather than withdrawing retirement savings, the tax-free payout from a life insurance policy can provide these inheritance funds efficiently. You get peace of mind knowing that your estate will help improve the lives of those you care about most.

Replacing Lost Income

Data shows that in 2022, nearly one million Canadians were working at the age of 65 or older. This includes those not yet ready for full retirement, as well as retirees who work part-time to supplement their income. (source: https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/it-will-get-worse-over-the-next-10-to-15-years-what-to-expect-from-canada-s-labour-market-as-the-workforce-ages-1.6652530)

If the primary breadwinner in a senior household passes away unexpectedly, it could significantly jeopardize the quality of life for a surviving spouse or partner. Any income they were counting on would disappear.

Life insurance provides the funds to replace that lost income in the long term. Ongoing income from the death benefit helps support living costs so the surviving dependents can maintain financial stability.

Accelerating Benefits If Terminally Ill

Some life insurance policies marketed to seniors also include an accelerated death benefit. This allows you to access a portion of the death benefit early if you become terminally ill with a condition like cancer or heart disease.

Accessing this portion of the payout can help cover additional medical costs and living expenses in your final months. It provides peace of mind knowing you can tap into those funds for any increased needs at the end of life.

What are the Types of Life Insurance for Seniors Over 60?

There are six main kinds of life insurance policies suitable for the over-60 demographic in Canada:

Term Life Insurance for Seniors Over 60

Term life insurance for seniors over 60 is the most common type of policy for those looking to cover final expenses or leave an inheritance. It provides more affordable pure protection for a set period of time, such as 10, 15, or 20 years.

If you die within that term, your beneficiaries receive the death benefit payout. But the policy expires without value if you live past the term length. Because of the limited coverage period, term life premiums are lower than permanent insurance.

Many insurers allow term lengths extending to age 85. So even someone in their late 70s could potentially get ten years of coverage.

Term life insurance appeals to seniors specifically looking for:

• Final expense funds for funeral costs
• An inheritance payout for children/heirs
• Income replacement for surviving dependents
• Limited budget for life insurance

Related: Pros and Cons of Term Life Insurance

Permanent Life Insurance for Seniors Over 60

Whereas term life provides temporary coverage, permanent life insurance for seniors over 60 is meant to provide lifelong protection as long as you keep paying the premiums. The two main types suitable for seniors are:

Whole Life Insurance

Whole life insurance for seniors over 60 covers you for your entire lifetime. Premiums remain fixed, and policies accumulate a cash value that you can borrow against if needed. The guaranteed cash value and death benefit make whole life appealing to seniors looking for predictable coverage.

Related: Pros and Cons of Whole Life Insurance

Universal Life Insurance

Universal Life similarly provides lifetime coverage but with more flexibility. You can adjust your death benefit and premiums as needed. Some policies can accrue investment earnings in a side account.

Related: Pros and Cons of Universal Life Insurance

Permanent insurance works well for seniors who:

• Have assets and income to maintain premiums
• Want lifelong protection into advanced age
• Seek tax-deferred cash value growth
• May need access to cash via policy loans

Permanent policies cost significantly more than term life because they combine lifelong death benefit coverage with a tax-deferred savings element in the cash value.

Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance

Seniors with health issues may have difficulty qualifying for coverage with traditional term or permanent life insurance. In those cases, guaranteed issue life insurance can provide an option.

With guaranteed issue, approval is guaranteed. No medical exam is required, so pre-existing conditions are not a barrier. This ease of qualification makes it appealing to less healthy seniors.

The trade-off is that guaranteed issue policies offer more limited benefits, usually $25,000 or less in coverage. Average annual premiums can be in the range of $400 to $600 for seniors, regardless of gender.

Guaranteed issue life insurance suits seniors who:

• Have chronic health problems
• Don’t want to undergo medical underwriting
• Only need small coverage amounts
• Can’t afford more expensive policies

This type of insurance provides basic final expense coverage for funeral costs when health issues would prevent qualification for other policy types.

Group Life Insurance

Some retirees may still have group life insurance for seniors over 60 through a former employer. This provides term coverage with simplified underwriting and typically allows conversion to an individual policy upon retirement.

Group plans are worth examining closely before converting:

• They may offer room for increased coverage with age milestones.
• Rates are locked in based on age at joining, so it could be much lower than converting.
• Plans may provide coverage for advanced ages like 75 or 80.

If the group option still provides affordable rates and adequate coverage, retirees can maintain it as their primary insurance. Supplementing with an individual permanent policy is another option.

Accidental Death Policies

Accidental death coverage pays out if you die from an accident. It does not cover death from natural causes. Premiums are very affordable, with average annual costs for seniors, expectedly around $300.

While limited, this can provide supplementary coverage to offset some final expenses costs in the event of an accidental death. Seniors specifically concerned about dying from falls or accidents may want to consider adding this type of policy.

Mortgage Life Insurance

Mortgage life insurance pays off the remainder of your home loan if you die. It can cover your full mortgage balance or just a portion. Adding mortgage insurance may give seniors peace of mind, knowing the house debt will be cleared. Average annual premiums may range from $200 to $700 depending on age, gender, and amount of mortgage coverage selected.

With mortgage rates rising for new home loans, this coverage can provide assurance that a surviving spouse or estate can maintain the home without taking on significant added debt.

What Factors Affect Premiums of Life Insurance for Seniors Over 60?

There are eight key elements impacting what Canadian seniors will pay in premiums for life insurance for seniors over 60:

Age

Your current age at time of policy purchase is the biggest pricing factor. As the previous data showed, premium costs difference significantly between a 60 year old and an 80 year old. The older you are, the more expensive coverage becomes across all policy types.

In addition, you can refer to other articles about life insurance for senior of each age:

• Life Insurance for Seniors Over 50
• Life Insurance for Seniors Over 70

Gender

Due to longer average life expectancies, women typically can get life insurance for considerably lower premiums than men of the same age. The previous premium average tables showed women paying 25% to 35% less than men for the same coverage.

Health and Medical History

Any chronic health conditions or past illnesses will drive up premiums significantly. Life insurers view conditions like heart disease, cancer, stroke, or diabetes as increasing the risk of earlier death. You may be declined or required to purchase higher-cost substandard policies.

Lifestyle Factors

Habits like smoking or excessive drinking are considered high-risk by insurers and will result in higher premiums. Maintaining an unhealthy weight or not exercising regularly may also push prices higher.

Policy Type

Term life insurance is cheaper than permanent insurance for equivalent coverage amounts at any age. Guaranteed issue policies cost more than fully underwritten coverage as well. Policy riders like disability waivers will increase premiums, too.

Coverage Amount

The dollar amount of coverage you select directly impacts the premiums. $250,000 in coverage will cost more than $100,000 for the same individual. But costs do not go up linearly with the death benefit.

Benefit Period

For term life policies, premiums are higher for longer terms like 20 or 30 years compared to shorter 10 or 15-year lengths. This reflects the longer period of coverage provided.

Cash Value Options

Permanent policies allowing accumulation of cash value tend to be more expensive than basic whole life insurance. Universal life with investment-linked cash value is pricier still.

What are the Average Life Insurance Rates for Seniors Ages 60-69 in Canada?

Term Life Insurance Rates for Seniors Ages 60-69

While many variables impact pricing, below are average monthly costs for healthy non-smokers on $250,000 term life insurance policies at different ages:

Full review: Term 10 Life Insurance

Full review: Term 20 Life Insurance

Term policies provide pure death benefit protection for a set coverage period. As shown, premiums rise significantly at each 5-year age increment, so buying coverage as early as possible saves on costs.

Expect permanent life insurance policies to cost around 5-10 times as much as term insurance for equivalent coverage.

Whole Life Insurance Rates for Seniors Ages 60-69

Below are estimated monthly costs for healthy non-smokers on $250,000 whole life insurance policy at different ages:

Permanent life insurance is meant to provide lifetime protection. The monthly cost remains stable once purchased, although the insurer can adjust rates for an entire class of policies.

The premiums are higher than term life because permanent policies build cash value that you can borrow against and will pay out upon death, no matter what age you live.

Some insurers also offer Term 100 policy that provides permanent coverage until age 100 while keeping stable premiums. This can be a good middle-ground option between term life and more costly whole life insurance for some seniors.

Below are estimated monthly costs for healthy non-smokers on $250,000 Term 100 policy:

As shown, Term 100 premiums cost more than common term life due to the longer coverage period but less than permanent insurance since they lack cash value accumulation.

What are the Pros and Cons of Life Insurance for Seniors Over 60?

For seniors over 60, life insurance can provide essential financial support, whether it’s to cover final expenses, leave a legacy, or pay off debts. However, as you age, policies may come with higher premiums and certain limitations. Understanding the pros and cons of life insurance for seniors over 60 will help you make an informed decision that aligns with your financial goals and personal needs.

Pros:

• Pays off debts to avoid burdening loved ones
• Covers unpredictable end-of-life/funeral costs
• Leaves inheritance for heirs tax-efficiently
• Replaces lost income for surviving spouse
• Provides cash if terminally ill (accelerated benefit)
• Gives peace of mind knowing loved ones are protected

Cons:

• More expensive than when younger
• Requires medical underwriting, so pre-existing conditions can be an issue
• Term policies expire without residual value if not used
• Permanent insurance requires paying lifelong premiums
• Coverage amounts may need to be re-evaluated as needs change
• Beneficiaries receive a tax-free lump sum only, with no ongoing income

The pros often outweigh the cons for most seniors. Key is weighing how much coverage is truly needed today vs earlier in life. Even smaller policies can provide substantial protections well into retirement years. Speaking with an advisor helps assess pros/cons for your specific situation.

How Can Canadians Get More Affordable Life Insurance for Seniors Over 60?

While life insurance does get more costly as you age, there are still ways to obtain more reasonably priced coverage in your 60s and beyond:

Lock In Rates Earlier On

Buy a policy in your late 50s or very early 60s to obtain the most favourable premiums. Costs jump significantly year over year, so even a few years make a big impact. The sooner you lock in rates, the better.

Opt for Shorter Term Lengths

Stick to 10 or 15 year terms rather than 20+ years to keep costs down. You still get guaranteed coverage for final expenses and debt obligations. Your needs beyond 15 years from now may change anyway.

Take Advantage of Lower Female Premiums

If you are a woman, be sure to compare female-specific quotes rather than just generic quotes. This difference can save you 25% to 40% over an equivalent male policy.

Consider Guaranteed Issue Policies

If health issues make traditional life insurance unaffordable, guaranteed issue policies provide an option for basic final expense coverage. Limitations are capped death benefits around $25,000 and higher costs, but coverage is accessible.

Improve Health Where Possible

Shedding pounds through diet and exercise, quitting smoking, and managing conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes can lead to significant savings. Even small improvements can yield discounts.

Bundle With Your Spouse

Many insurers will discount premiums for joint coverage on couples. Shop for bundled his & hers policies and compare savings against separate policies. Bundling allows you to save.

Compare Quotes From At Least 3 Providers

Rates for the same applicants can vary between insurers. Get quotes from several highly-rated providers to make sure you get the most competitive pricing. Independent brokers can help here.

Adjust Coverage Amount Downward

Determine how much life insurance you realistically need today versus a decade ago. With fewer dependents and lower debts, you likely need less coverage. Consider lowering your policy amount to save premium costs.

Seek Out Policy Discounts

Ask life insurance providers in Canada if they offer any discounts for seniors, alumni, or associations you belong to. Even 5% to 10% off can provide meaningful savings on a long-term policy.

Consider Laddered Coverage

An option commonly used is buying layered term policies with staggered lengths, like 10 years, 15 years, and 20 years. This can minimize overall premium outlays by blending rates across different terms.

With smart strategies like these, Canadian seniors can secure affordable life insurance for seniors over 60 to maintain the coverage they need.

How to Purchase Life Insurance for Seniors Over 60?

If you determine life insurance for seniors over 60 still fits into your financial plans, here is an overview of the purchasing process:

Calculate How Much Coverage You Need

Assess any debts you wish to cover, funds for final costs, and inherited assets. Recognize that needs likely decrease from your younger years. A common formula is 5 to 10x your current annual income.

Decide On Policy Type

Determine whether term, permanent, or blended coverage best suits your needs and budget. Factor in health, desired length, and cash value wishes.

Request Quotes From At Least 3 Providers

This allows you to compare rates across multiple insurers and identify the best value. It only takes a little time to potentially save hundreds per year.

Compare All Costs and Benefits

Look beyond just the premiums. Compare death benefits, cash values, exclusions, ratings, discounts, dividends, conversions, renewability, and riders. These factors significantly impact policy value.

Work With an Independent Broker

Rather than buying directly, brokers can provide guidance on the right policy and evaluate options across multiple insurers. Their expertise helps you identify optimal coverage.

Complete Medical Underwriting Requirements

Be prepared to provide details of your full medical history. Also expect a paramedical exam including blood pressure, cholesterol, and other assessments if applying for a fully underwritten policy.

Submit Your Application and Supporting Documents

Along with the application form itself, you will need to provide ID, beneficiary designations, medical exam results if applicable, and usually bank/financial details.

Pay Your First Premium

To put coverage into force, you need to pay at least the first modal premium along with the application. Monthly bank withdrawals can make this convenient.

Schedule Future Reviews of Coverage

Mark your calendar to review beneficiaries, premium payments, cash values, and heirs’ needs every few years. This ensures coverage continues meeting your insurance goals.

With the help of a broker and the above steps, Canadian seniors can secure and maintain the most appropriate life insurance policy at a competitive rate.

Alternatives for Covering Senior Final Expenses

Beyond traditional life insurance for seniors over 60, there are some four other options they have for earmarking funds specifically for final costs:

Prepaid Funeral Plans

Work directly with a funeral home to pre-arrange and pay for your memorial services. This locks in costs and eliminates the burden of last-minute planning on the family.

Average prepaid funeral plan costs in Canada can be around $6,000. More elaborate services can run $10,000 or higher. Monthly payment installment options are often available.

By funding the plan over time, you relieve loved ones of the pressures to cover those sudden costs later on. Prepaid plans can be cancelled or transferred as needed.

Designated Final Expense Bank Accounts

Open a savings account earmarked specifically for final costs. Make regular automated deposits so the balance builds up gradually.

You retain control in a bank account. The funds can be tapped if needed for health emergencies or other priorities while living. Remaining balances pass to beneficiaries.

Aim for $10,000 to $15,000 in the account to provide adequate funeral coverage. Costs beyond that can be covered by your estate.

Small Whole Life Insurance Policies

Insurers sell guaranteed issue or simplified issue whole life policies with coverage amounts like $5,000, $10,000 or $25,000 specifically for final expenses.

Average annual premiums for these small policies usually range from $100 to $300 depending on age, gender, and amount purchased.

Purchasing a smaller amount of permanent insurance and paying in overtime again eases the burden later on loved ones. This can be in addition to a larger senior life policy.

Final Expense Insurance Riders

Some life insurance policies include “final expense” or “funeral cost” riders for added costs at the time of death. These provide a small extra death benefit, like $5,000 to $15,000, that is earmarked for covering end-of-life costs.

Adding such a rider can give seniors further peace of mind. The extra benefit ensures additional funds to cover any unexpected expenses beyond the main policy payout.

With any of these options, seniors’ final wishes are funded, and loved ones protected. Reach out to LifeBuzz for guidance on the optimal strategy for your specific needs and situation.

Make Informed Life Insurance Choices

As we have shown, maintaining some form of life insurance into your senior years remains beneficial for the majority of Canadians. Take time to assess how much coverage is appropriate and find a policy tailored to this phase of life.

The experts at Life Buzz are here to guide you through that process. We make it easy to compare quotes from Canada’s top insurers to identify the best value policy for you. Get started now by contacting us and take control of your life insurance needs.

Canadians want the straight truth on life insurance rates. We provide upfront data on average premiums at every age – so you don’t pay a cent more than needed. Check out Life Insurance Rates By Age Chart article, Best Life Insurance Costs for Ages 20-29, Best Life Insurance Rates For Ages 30-39, Best Life Insurance Rates For Ages 40-49, and more. Cut through the confusion with our expert guides on pricing and how to lock in savings with the right policy. Knowledge is power when it comes to taming life insurance costs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Life Insurance for Seniors Over 60 in Canada