What does 40 Year Term Life Insurance Mean?
Generally speaking, one of the biggest complaints about Term Life Insurance has been the maximum policy term of 30 years.
Knowing how inexpensive term life can be, you would think that all major insurance companies would come up with a longer-term right?
Well, a couple of them have, and we are going to drill down into these new term policies to see who will benefit the most and if they are priced right like most other term products.
When you think about it, having a 40-year Term Life insurance policy could be a game-changer for individuals who love the low price and guaranteed benefits.
The life insurance industry is ultra-conservative, and it’s unusual for the major players to offer new products. However, Banner Life and Protective Life have recently decided that the marketplace is ready for 40-Year Term Life Insurance.
Reviewed by: Richard Reich, Licensed Insurance Professional
This content has been reviewed for accuracy and compliance with current insurance standards.
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Who should get a 40 Year Term Life Insurance Policy?
40-year term life insurance is not for everybody, and not everybody can qualify to purchase it. But for those who can, having inexpensive life insurance that is guaranteed for 40 years will likely be a game-changer, especially for individuals purchasing life insurance to replace their income.
Instead of having to renew or convert your policy at a much higher rate, 40-year term policyholders will have an additional ten years (above a 30-year policy) to enjoy very low insurance rates.
In the past, if you purchased a 10 or 20-year policy, most policyholders were caught off guard by the renewal offer if they hadn’t already converted their policy.
This sticker shock results from renewing your policy 10 or 20 years after initially purchasing it at a substantially younger age.
Also, it’s important to remember that when you renew a term policy, you are renewing it on an annual basis, which means the rate will climb higher year after year.
Who should not get 40-year Term Life Insurance?
As we mentioned earlier, 40-year term life insurance is not a great fit for everyone, especially applicants with medical issues and those who prefer no medical exam life insurance.
Even if an applicant qualifies for accelerated underwriting, the process can be a little intense compared to a 10, 20, or 30-year policy.
Moreover, if the financial risk you are planning to mitigate will last 30 years or less, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to pay higher rates for a 40-year term policy when a 10, 20, or 30-year policy serves the same purpose.
Since the two companies that offer 40-year term insurance will only issue policies for applicants who are 45-years old and younger, applicants who are 46 and older can still purchase a 30-year term life insurance policy from a host of national carriers.
How does a 40-Year Term Life Insurance Policy Work?
Term life insurance is a straightforward life insurance product with few moving parts. Since the policy does not have a cash component or earn interest from the insurer, the only concern to deal with is the cost of insurance and the policy fee.
Since one of the primary factors used to calculate the insurance premium is the length of the policy term, 40-year term life insurance will cost more than a 10, 20, 25, or 30-year policy.
40-year term life insurance offers a guaranteed death benefit and a level premium that can never change for the life of the policy as long as the periodic premiums are paid.
What are the Pros and Cons of 40-Year Term Life Insurance?
As with any life insurance product, there will be pros and cons that will typically depend on your purpose for purchasing life insurance in the first place.
What may be a disadvantage for Applicant A might be advantageous for Applicant B. The pros and cons are typically a result of why you need life insurance rather than a flaw in the product.
Advantages
- Young adults can now have level coverage into their 60s and beyond without having to worry about term life renewal sticker shock.
- Since the company will issue a policy for applicants up to 45-years old, a 40-year term policy could prove to be lifetime coverage for older applicants.
- The 40-year term product can also be purchased with many of the same optional riders that are offered with a 10, 20, or 30-year policy.
- The conversion privilege is available, which means when your 40-year policy is getting ready to expire, the policy can be converted to a permanent policy without the requirement for medical underwriting at the time of conversion. Policyholders can easily transition from an income replacement policy to a final expense policy.
Disadvantages
- Since the length of the policy term has a significant impact on term life insurance pricing, a 40-year policy will cost significantly more than a 10 or 20-year policy.
- Since there are only two life insurance companies offering a 40-year term, the competition is not as fierce as 10, 20, or 30-year policies.
- The conversion rider is more expensive than other term policies because of the extended policy term.
- Applicants with health issues will likely find a 40-year term policy unaffordable.
- Since you could outlive your coverage, 40-year term life insurance is still temporary coverage.
40-Year Term versus 35-Year Term Policies
Although all term life insurance works the same way, the primary difference between a 40-year term policy and a 35-year term policy is the length of the term and the rates.
The underwriting process for both policies is basically the same, and the number of optional riders available has been reduced.
How much does 40-Year Term Life Insurance Cost?
Although you can easily determine the cost of a 40-year term life insurance policy using our instant quote form on the right side of the page, we have listed the rates for a \$500,000 policy for several age groups using the best underwriting class. Monthly rates are rounded to the nearest dollar.
| Age of Applicant | Banner Life | Protective Life |
|---|---|---|
| Male age 30 | $52 | $53 |
| Male age 35 | $64 | $70 |
| Male age 40 | $114 | $113 |
| Male age 45 | $189 | $187 |
| Age of Applicant | Banner Life | Protective Life |
|---|---|---|
| Female age 30 | $39 | $39 |
| Female age 35 | $53 | $52 |
| Female age 40 | $91 | $90 |
| Female age 45 | $145 | $145 |
How to Get a Free 40 Year Term Life Insurance Quote
Insurance shoppers in the 21st Century can shop for and then purchase life insurance quicker than ever before.
Independent life insurance professionals like LifeInsure.com represent most of the highly-rated insurance companies and offer instant quoting right on our website.
We encourage you to take advantage of our instant life insurance quoter, and we will follow up to answer any questions and help you apply for a low-cost Term Life Insurance policy today!
Frequently Asked Questions about 40 Year Term Life Insurance
What is 40-year term life insurance?
40-year term life insurance is a policy that provides coverage for a period of 40 years. If you pass away during that time, your beneficiaries receive the policy’s death benefit. The premium generally remains level throughout the term, making it easier to budget for long-term protection.
Why would someone choose a 40-year term life insurance policy?
A 40-year term policy can be an excellent choice for younger adults who want lifelong financial protection during their working years. It can help cover long-term obligations such as a mortgage, raising children, paying for college, or replacing lost income for a spouse.
Is 40-year term life insurance more expensive than shorter-term coverage?
Yes, a 40-year term policy usually costs more than a 10-, 20-, or 30-year term policy because the insurance company is providing coverage for a much longer period. However, purchasing coverage at a younger age can help keep premiums affordable.
Can seniors buy a 40-year term life insurance policy?
Most insurance companies have age limits for purchasing a 40-year term policy. While younger applicants may qualify, older adults may find that shorter-term policies are more readily available and cost-effective.
Do I need a medical exam to get 40-year term life insurance?
Not always. Some insurance companies offer no-medical-exam policies that allow qualified applicants to obtain coverage based on health questionnaires and other underwriting tools. Larger coverage amounts may still require an exam.
Can I convert my 40-year term policy into permanent life insurance?
Many term life policies include a conversion feature that allows you to switch to a permanent life insurance policy without proving your health again. This option can be valuable if your health changes or your insurance needs evolve over time.
What happens if I outlive my 40-year term policy?
If you are still living when the policy reaches the end of its 40-year term, the coverage will typically expire. Depending on the insurer, you may have the option to renew the policy, convert it to permanent coverage, or purchase a new policy.
How much 40-year term life insurance coverage do I need?
The amount of coverage you need depends on your family’s financial situation. Consider factors such as income replacement, outstanding debts, mortgage obligations, future education costs, and final expenses. An insurance professional can help you determine an appropriate coverage amount.
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Reviewed and written by: Richard Reich, CEO and Life Insurance Broker 25+ Years Experience
This content has been reviewed for accuracy and compliance with current insurance standards.
Richard Reich
President, LifeInsure.com · Independent Life Insurance Broker
In my 30+ years as an independent life and disability insurance broker, I have personally assisted thousands of clients with their life and disability insurance needs.
Being independent, I represent many highly-rated insurance companies and, because I am not beholden to any one insurance company, my focus is to find the right company and policy for each individual client.
I believe that when people shop for insurance (or anything else, for that matter) on the Internet, they are looking for a simple, non-intrusive, non-pressure method of doing so.
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Last Updated on June 23, 2026 by Richard Reich