This is the rate data most insurance sites won’t show you: a full comparison of what final expense insurance actually costs at ages 50–85, across every competitive carrier — including Lincoln Heritage, which charges 40–75% above the market rate for identical coverage. Know what you should be paying before you call anyone.
Four factors determine your final expense insurance premium: age, gender, health, and which carrier you choose. The first three are fixed — you can’t change your age or gender, and your health is what it is. The fourth factor — carrier selection — is entirely within your control, and it has a bigger impact on your monthly cost than most people realize.
A 65-year-old female with diabetes pays $56/month at Royal Neighbors of America for level benefit coverage. The same woman, at Mutual of Omaha, gets automatically placed in graded benefit at a higher rate — not because her health is worse, but because Mutual of Omaha grades all diabetics regardless of control. A 70-year-old male with COPD pays $98/month at Transamerica for level benefit. The same man at Lincoln Heritage pays $174/month for inferior coverage.
The rate tables below show what the market actually looks like. Read them carefully before applying anywhere.
The single most common mistake I see is people applying directly to the carrier they saw on TV — Lincoln Heritage, Colonial Penn, Globe Life — without realizing they’re paying 40–75% more than necessary. Independent broker carriers don’t advertise on TV. They compete on price and underwriting quality instead. Give me 10 minutes and I’ll tell you exactly what your rate should be and which carrier gets you there: (754) 800-1152.
Level benefit, $15,000 coverage, non-smoker, standard health. Rates rounded to nearest dollar. Last updated March 2026.
Royal Neighbors is cheapest for female applicants at nearly every age. Lincoln Heritage column shows what you overpay by using a TV-advertised captive carrier.
| Age | Royal Neighbors | Mutual of Omaha | American Amicable | Transamerica | Lincoln Heritage | Overpay vs. best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | $28/mo | $30/mo | $32/mo | $33/mo | $49/mo | +$21/mo |
| 55 | $38/mo | $40/mo | $42/mo | $44/mo | $67/mo | +$29/mo |
| 60 | $45/mo | $47/mo | $50/mo | $52/mo | $81/mo | +$36/mo |
| 65 | $56/mo | $58/mo | $62/mo | $64/mo | $99/mo | +$43/mo |
| 70 | $74/mo | $76/mo | $80/mo | $83/mo | $131/mo | +$57/mo |
| 75 | $100/mo | $103/mo | $109/mo | $112/mo | $175/mo | +$75/mo |
| 80 | $140/mo | $144/mo | $152/mo | $158/mo | $238/mo | +$98/mo |
| 85 | $193/mo | $199/mo | $210/mo | $218/mo | $319/mo | +$126/mo |
Men pay higher rates than women at every carrier due to shorter life expectancy. Royal Neighbors is still typically cheapest. Transamerica and Mutual of Omaha are competitive alternatives.
| Age | Royal Neighbors | Mutual of Omaha | American Amicable | Transamerica | Lincoln Heritage | Overpay vs. best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | $36/mo | $38/mo | $40/mo | $42/mo | $64/mo | +$28/mo |
| 55 | $50/mo | $52/mo | $56/mo | $58/mo | $88/mo | +$38/mo |
| 60 | $60/mo | $62/mo | $66/mo | $69/mo | $108/mo | +$48/mo |
| 65 | $74/mo | $76/mo | $82/mo | $86/mo | $132/mo | +$58/mo |
| 70 | $98/mo | $100/mo | $108/mo | $112/mo | $174/mo | +$76/mo |
| 75 | $134/mo | $137/mo | $148/mo | $154/mo | $232/mo | +$98/mo |
| 80 | $187/mo | $192/mo | $205/mo | $213/mo | $312/mo | +$125/mo |
| 85 | $261/mo | $268/mo | $285/mo | $296/mo | $424/mo | +$163/mo |
⚠ These are level benefit rates for standard health profiles. Graded benefit and guaranteed issue policies cost 20–40% more for the same coverage amount, with a 2-year waiting period before full benefit is payable. Always push for level benefit first — most common health conditions qualify at the right carrier.
Most seniors need between $10,000 and $20,000 in final expense coverage. Here’s how the most common coverage amounts compare at different ages for a female applicant at Royal Neighbors (best-rate carrier):
Standard health, non-smoker, level benefit.
| Age | $7,500 | $10,000 | $15,000 (most common) | $20,000 | $25,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | $19/mo | $25/mo | $38/mo | $51/mo | $63/mo |
| 60 | $23/mo | $30/mo | $45/mo | $60/mo | $75/mo |
| 65 | $28/mo | $37/mo | $56/mo | $74/mo | $93/mo |
| 70 | $37/mo | $49/mo | $74/mo | $99/mo | $123/mo |
| 75 | $50/mo | $67/mo | $100/mo | $133/mo | $167/mo |
| 80 | $70/mo | $93/mo | $140/mo | $187/mo | $233/mo |
✓ How much coverage do you actually need? The average US funeral costs $7,000–$10,000 for burial and $3,000–$6,000 for cremation. Florida has the highest cremation rate in the country. If cremation is planned, $7,500–$10,000 often provides adequate coverage. If traditional burial is preferred or you want to cover additional final expenses (medical bills, outstanding debts, a gift to family), $15,000–$20,000 is the standard recommendation.
This is the gap most consumers never see because they only get one quote. When you call Lincoln Heritage, Colonial Penn, or Globe Life, you get their rate — and no comparison. Here’s what that costs over a typical 10–15 year policy period:
Why TV-advertised carriers cost more: Lincoln Heritage, Colonial Penn, and Globe Life spend tens of millions per year on television advertising. That spending is embedded in every premium you pay. Independent broker carriers spend nothing on TV — they compete through broker networks on price and underwriting quality. The consumer pays the same commission either way. The difference is entirely in the carrier’s overhead structure.
This is the section most rate guides skip entirely. The truth: most common senior health conditions do not significantly increase your rate — they determine which carrier is your best fit. A diabetic who goes to the right carrier pays the same level benefit rate as a non-diabetic. A diabetic who goes to the wrong carrier pays a graded benefit rate that’s 20–30% higher and comes with a 2-year waiting period.
| Health condition | Rate impact at right carrier | Rate impact at wrong carrier | Best carrier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type 2 diabetes (oral meds) | No increase — level benefit same rate | 20–30% higher, 2-yr wait (Mutual of Omaha) | American Amicable or Royal Neighbors |
| Insulin-dependent diabetes | No increase — level benefit same rate | Graded only or declined at most carriers | American Amicable or Royal Neighbors |
| COPD (no oxygen) | No increase — level benefit | Waiting period or not recommended | Transamerica or Royal Neighbors |
| Congestive heart failure (CHF) | No increase — level benefit (Transamerica only) | Declined or GI only at most carriers | Transamerica — only option |
| AFib (controlled) | No increase — level benefit | Case by case at some carriers | Transamerica, Royal Neighbors, or AHL |
| Cancer (2+ yrs remission) | No increase — level benefit | Graded at some carriers | American Amicable |
| Smoker | 10–20% higher than non-smoker rate | 40–60% higher at Lincoln Heritage | American Amicable — best smoker rates |
| Active cancer / dialysis / terminal | GI only — $80–$120/mo for $15K, 2-yr wait | Declined at simplified issue carriers | AIG/Corebridge GI |
✓ The takeaway: For most health conditions, the right carrier charges you exactly the same rate as a healthy applicant — because at that carrier, your condition qualifies for their standard underwriting. The rate difference isn’t about your health. It’s about whether you applied at a carrier whose underwriting fits your profile.
We compare 9 carriers simultaneously for your specific age, gender, health, and state. Takes 10 minutes. The rate we find is your actual rate, not an estimate.
Get My Personalized Rate →Smokers pay more across all carriers — typically 15–25% more than non-smokers at independent broker carriers. American Amicable has the best smoker rates in the market. Important: if you quit smoking more than 12 months ago, most carriers will rate you as a non-smoker.
| Carrier | Non-smoker rate | Smoker rate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Amicable | $62/mo | $72/mo — best smoker rate | +$10/mo |
| Royal Neighbors | $56/mo | $78/mo | +$22/mo |
| Mutual of Omaha | $58/mo | $80/mo | +$22/mo |
| Transamerica | $64/mo | $85/mo | +$21/mo |
| Lincoln Heritage | $99/mo | $138/mo — worst smoker rate | +$39/mo |
Quit 12+ months ago? Most carriers allow you to apply as a non-smoker if you have not used tobacco products in the past 12 months. This can reduce your rate by 15–25% immediately. Tell your broker how long it has been since you last used tobacco — it matters significantly to your rate.
Guaranteed issue policies accept everyone with no health questions but cost significantly more and include a 2-year waiting period for natural-cause death. These rates apply only when simplified issue is not available for your health profile — always try simplified issue first.
No health questions. Everyone approved. 2-year waiting period for natural causes. Accidental death covered day one.
| Age | Female GI rate | Male GI rate | Female simplified issue (best available) | Male simplified issue (best available) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | ~$55/mo | ~$65/mo | $28/mo (Royal Neighbors) | $36/mo (Royal Neighbors) |
| 55 | ~$65/mo | ~$78/mo | $38/mo | $50/mo |
| 60 | ~$78/mo | ~$95/mo | $45/mo | $60/mo |
| 65 | ~$95/mo | ~$112/mo | $56/mo | $74/mo |
| 70 | ~$118/mo | ~$142/mo | $74/mo | $98/mo |
| 75 | ~$152/mo | ~$185/mo | $100/mo | $134/mo |
| 80 | ~$198/mo | ~$238/mo | $140/mo | $187/mo |
⚠ Always try simplified issue before accepting guaranteed issue. The gap between GI and simplified issue rates is $30–$70/month at most ages — plus GI has a 2-year waiting period. Many conditions that seem like they require GI actually qualify for level benefit simplified issue at the right carrier. A 10-minute call with a broker determines which applies to you.
Age. The single largest driver of your premium. Rates increase roughly 5–8% per year of age. A 70-year-old female pays about 30% more than a 65-year-old for the same coverage at the same carrier. This is why applying earlier — even if coverage feels premature — locks in a lower rate permanently. Premiums never increase after issue.
Gender. Women pay 20–30% less than men at every carrier and coverage amount. This reflects actuarial life expectancy data. Royal Neighbors has historically offered the most aggressive female pricing due to its founding mission focused on women.
Health. Health affects which tier you qualify for (level benefit vs. graded vs. guaranteed issue), but at the right carrier, most conditions qualify for level benefit at no additional cost versus a healthy applicant. The carrier matters far more than your specific conditions for most people.
Carrier selection. This is the most controllable factor and has the biggest real-world impact on what you pay. At the most extreme end: a 70-year-old female pays $74/month at Royal Neighbors versus $131/month at Lincoln Heritage for identical coverage. That’s a $684/year difference — and it compounds over the life of the policy.
Three rules that determine whether you get the best available rate:
1. Use an independent broker, not a direct carrier or captive agent. An independent broker compares multiple carriers simultaneously. A captive agent (Lincoln Heritage, Colonial Penn, Globe Life) can only show you one company’s rates. The broker’s commission is paid by the carrier — there is no cost difference to you.
2. Match your health profile to the right carrier before applying. The carrier that offers the lowest rate for a healthy non-diabetic senior is not the same carrier that offers the lowest rate for a diabetic. Applying to the wrong carrier means either a declined application or a graded benefit placement that costs more with less coverage. A broker who knows these distinctions runs your profile against all carriers before submitting anything.
3. Apply now, not later. Final expense premiums are locked in at your current age. Every birthday increases your rate. A 65-year-old who waits until 66 to apply pays about 5–7% more for the same coverage — permanently, for the life of the policy. The cost of waiting is real and compounding.
We compare 9 A-rated carriers simultaneously for your specific age, gender, health, and state. Free, no obligation — and we’ll tell you exactly which carrier wins for your profile.