What AARP life insurance is and who sells it

AARP life insurance is not sold by AARP itself. AARP is a membership organization for people 50 and older, and it endorses life insurance policies underwritten by insurance companies — typically New York Life, Transamerica, or Hartford, depending on your state and the plan. AARP receives a commission when members buy these policies, which is how the organization funds its operations.

The policies themselves are standard term or whole life products. What makes them "AARP" policies is that AARP markets them to its members and negotiates group rates, which can lower the price compared to buying directly from the insurer. You are buying insurance from the underwriting company, not from AARP, and your policy is between you and that company.

Membership in AARP is not required to buy these policies, though AARP advertises them heavily to members. Some policies are open to people as young as 45, while others start at 50 or 55.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP life insurance is underwritten by major insurance companies like New York Life or Transamerica, not by AARP itself.
  • The main advantage is that group rates negotiated by AARP can be lower than individual rates from the same insurer, though you should compare quotes from other sources.
  • You can buy AARP life insurance without being an AARP member, though AARP advertises these plans primarily to its membership.
  • Medical underwriting requirements vary by plan and age — some policies require a health exam, while others use simplified or may provide issue underwriting.
  • The policy is a contract between you and the insurance company, not AARP, so your claims and customer service go through the insurer.

Types of AARP life insurance plans available

AARP offers both term life and whole life policies. Term life covers you for a set number of years (typically 10, 15, or 20 years) and pays a death benefit only if you die during that term. Whole life is permanent coverage that lasts your entire life as long as premiums are paid, and it builds cash value over time that you can borrow against.

Term life premiums are lower but expire. Whole life premiums are higher but never increase and the policy never expires. Which makes sense for you depends on your age, health, how long you need coverage, and your budget. A 55-year-old covering a mortgage for 15 years might choose term. Someone wanting permanent coverage for final expenses might choose whole life.

AARP also offers universal life (UL) and variable universal life (VUL) policies in some states. These are permanent policies with more flexible premiums and death benefits than traditional whole life, but they carry more investment risk. Ask the agent which products are available in your state.

Medical underwriting and health requirements

AARP life insurance plans use different underwriting methods depending on the plan and your age. Some require a full medical exam — blood work, urine sample, and health history questions. Others use "simplified issue" underwriting, which means you answer health questions but skip the exam. A few plans offer "may provide issue," meaning no health questions at all, though these typically have higher premiums and a waiting period before the full death benefit pays out.

may provide issue plans are marketed to people who cannot pass a medical exam or prefer not to have one. If you die within the first two or three years (the "contestability period"), the insurer may pay only the premiums you paid back rather than the full death benefit. Read the policy documents to understand this limitation before buying.

Your age and the death benefit amount determine which underwriting path you follow. Younger applicants and smaller death benefits often may have access to for simplified or may provide issue. Older applicants or larger benefits usually require a full exam.

How AARP rates compare to other insurers

AARP negotiates group rates with its underwriting partners, which can result in lower premiums than you would pay buying the same policy directly from the insurer. However, "lower than direct" does not mean lowest overall. You should get quotes from at least two or three other insurers before deciding.

The best price depends on your age, health, death benefit amount, and term length. A healthy 55-year-old might find better rates elsewhere. A 70-year-old with health issues might find AARP's may provide issue plan more affordable than competitors. The only way to know is to compare.

Use online quote tools from insurers like Term4Sale, PolicyGenius, or directly from companies like State Farm, Mutual of Omaha, or Principal. Get at least three quotes with the same death benefit and term length so you can compare apples to apples. AARP's rates are competitive but not always the cheapest.

How to buy AARP life insurance

You can start the process online at aarp.org/life-insurance or by calling the phone number on AARP materials. You will answer health questions, choose a death benefit amount and term length, and get a quote. If you want to move forward, the underwriting company will contact you to schedule a medical exam (if required) or collect additional information.

The underwriting process typically takes two to four weeks. Once approved, your policy becomes active on the date the insurer specifies, usually after your first premium payment clears. You will receive policy documents by mail that spell out the death benefit, premium amount, term length, and any exclusions or limitations.

Keep those documents in a safe place and tell your beneficiaries where to find them. When you die, your beneficiary contacts the insurance company with a death certificate and claim form. The insurer verifies the claim and pays the death benefit, usually within 30 to 60 days.

Costs and what affects your premium

AARP life insurance premiums depend on your age, health, the death benefit amount, and the term length. A 55-year-old buying $100,000 of 10-year term life will pay far less than a 75-year-old buying the same coverage. A person with diabetes or heart disease will pay more than someone in excellent health.

Premiums for term life are locked in for the entire term — they do not increase year to year. When the term ends, you can renew (usually at a higher rate reflecting your older age) or let the policy lapse. Whole life premiums are also locked in and never increase, but they are much higher upfront because you are paying for lifetime coverage.

There are no hidden fees with AARP policies, though some whole life plans charge a surrender charge if you cancel within the first several years. Ask the agent about surrender charges and any other fees before you buy.

When AARP life insurance makes sense

AARP life insurance is worth considering if you are over 50, in reasonably good health, and need straightforward coverage. The group rates are competitive, the underwriting process is familiar to most people, and the policies are backed by major insurers with strong financial ratings.

AARP life insurance is less useful if you are under 50 (you may find better rates elsewhere), if you have serious health problems (you might may have access to for a may provide issue plan but pay a premium for it), or if you need a very large death benefit (some AARP plans cap the benefit at $250,000 or $500,000). It is also not the right choice if you need coverage quickly — underwriting takes weeks.

If you are shopping for life insurance, treat AARP as one option among several. Get quotes from at least two other insurers, compare the premiums and policy terms side by side, and choose based on price and coverage, not brand name.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. You can buy AARP life insurance without membership, though AARP advertises these plans primarily to members. If you are not a member and want to explore AARP policies, you can call or visit the website and get a quote. Some insurers may require you to join AARP to finalize the purchase, so ask before you commit.

What happens to my AARP life insurance if I cancel my AARP membership?

Your life insurance policy continues. AARP membership and the life insurance policy are separate contracts. Canceling your AARP membership does not affect your coverage, premiums, or claims. Your policy remains in force as long as you pay the premiums to the insurance company.

Can I convert AARP term life to whole life later?

Many AARP term life policies include a conversion option that lets you switch to whole life without a medical exam, usually within a set window (like the first 10 years). Check your policy documents or call the insurer to see if conversion is available and what the terms are. Conversion locks in your current health rating but increases your premium significantly.

What if I am denied coverage or offered a higher rate?

If the insurer denies you or offers a rate you think is unfair, you can ask the underwriting company to reconsider, provide additional medical records, or explain their decision. You can also shop with other insurers — different companies underwrite risk differently, and you might be approved elsewhere at a better rate. Some states have high-risk pools or may provide issue options if you are repeatedly denied.

How do I know if the death benefit I choose is enough?

A common rule of thumb is 10 times your annual income, but the right amount depends on your situation. Consider your mortgage balance, debts, final expenses, and how much income your family would need to replace. A financial advisor or the insurance agent can help you think through this, though remember the agent has a financial incentive to sell you more coverage.