Life Insurance for Seniors in Canada 2026: Options, Costs & Best Policies
Updated
Life insurance gets significantly more expensive and harder to qualify for as you age — but it does not become impossible. A healthy 65-year-old non-smoker can still get $100,000 of 10-year term coverage for around $100-$135 per month, and even seniors with serious health conditions can get guaranteed issue whole life policies with no medical questions asked. The real question is not whether you can get coverage, but whether you need it. This guide helps you answer that question and find the right policy if the answer is yes.
Life Insurance Options for Seniors
Type
Best For
Age Limit
Coverage
Medical Exam?
Monthly Cost (Age 65)
Term life (10–20 year)
Healthy seniors needing temporary coverage
75–80
$50K–$1M+
Sometimes
$80–$300 ($100K)
Simplified issue whole life
Seniors with moderate health concerns
80–85
$10K–$50K
No (health questions only)
$60–$200 ($25K)
Guaranteed issue whole life
Seniors with serious health issues
80–85
$5K–$25K
No (guaranteed acceptance)
$50–$150 ($10K)
Final expense (burial)
Covering funeral costs only
85
$5K–$25K
Varies
$40–$120 ($15K)
Term Life Insurance Rates for Seniors
Term life is still the most affordable option for healthy seniors. Premiums roughly double every 10 years of age, which means waiting even a year or two to buy can cost you significantly over the life of the policy. If you need coverage and your health is good, acting sooner rather than later locks in better rates. Note that very few insurers offer new term policies to applicants over 75.
Monthly Cost: 10-Year Term, Non-Smoker
Age
$50,000
$100,000
$250,000
$500,000
55 (M/F)
$35/$28
$60/$48
$130/$105
$240/$195
60 (M/F)
$50/$40
$90/$72
$200/$160
$380/$305
65 (M/F)
$75/$60
$135/$108
$310/$250
$600/$480
70 (M/F)
$120/$96
$220/$176
$520/$415
$1,000/$800
75 (M/F)
$200/$160
$380/$305
$900/$720
Limited availability
Monthly Cost: 20-Year Term, Non-Smoker
Age
$100,000
$250,000
$500,000
55 (M/F)
$80/$64
$175/$140
$330/$265
60 (M/F)
$130/$104
$300/$240
$580/$465
65 (M/F)
$220/$176
$520/$415
$1,000/$800
70 (M/F)
Limited
Limited
Generally unavailable
Guaranteed Issue Whole Life
Guaranteed issue policies are the last resort for seniors who cannot qualify for any other coverage due to health conditions. The trade-off is clear: no medical exam and guaranteed acceptance in exchange for lower coverage amounts ($5,000-$25,000), higher premiums, and a two-year waiting period during which only accidental death is fully covered. If you pass away from natural causes in the first two years, your beneficiaries receive only a return of the premiums you paid plus interest — not the full death benefit.
Feature
Details
Medical exam
None required
Health questions
None — acceptance is guaranteed
Typical coverage
$5,000–$25,000
Age range
50–80 (varies by insurer)
Waiting period
2 years (accidental death covered immediately)
Premiums
Fixed for life
Cash value
Builds slowly over time
Best for
Seniors who cannot qualify for any other coverage
Guaranteed Issue Providers and Costs
Provider
Age Range
Maximum Coverage
Monthly Cost ($10K, Age 65)
Canada Protection Plan
40–80
$25,000
$55–$75
Manulife
50–75
$25,000
$60–$80
Sun Life
50–80
$25,000
$58–$78
iA Financial
45–80
$25,000
$55–$75
Foresters
50–80
$25,000
$50–$70
The 2-Year Waiting Period
If Death Occurs
Benefit Paid
Year 1 (natural causes)
Return of premiums paid + interest
Year 2 (natural causes)
Return of premiums paid + interest (some: partial benefit)
After year 2
Full death benefit
Accidental death (any time)
Full death benefit from day 1
Final Expense / Burial Insurance
The average funeral in Canada costs $8,000-$15,000 for a traditional burial, or $3,000-$8,000 for cremation. Final expense insurance is designed specifically to ensure your family is not burdened with these costs. It is a small whole life policy — typically $5,000-$25,000 — with simplified or no medical underwriting. If covering funeral costs is your primary concern and you have no other significant debts, this is often the most straightforward and affordable solution.
Feature
Details
Purpose
Cover funeral costs, outstanding bills, small debts
Coverage range
$5,000–$25,000
Average funeral cost in Canada
$8,000–$15,000
Medical exam
Usually not required
Premiums
Fixed for life
Best for
Seniors who want to ensure family isn’t burdened with funeral costs
Funeral Cost Breakdown
Expense
Average Cost
Funeral service
$2,000–$5,000
Casket
$1,500–$5,000
Burial plot
$1,500–$5,000
Headstone
$1,000–$3,000
Cremation (alternative)
$1,500–$4,000
Death certificates
$50–$200
Flowers, obituary
$500–$1,500
Total (burial)
$8,000–$15,000+
Total (cremation)
$3,000–$8,000
When Seniors Need Life Insurance
The most common reason seniors buy life insurance is to protect a surviving spouse who depends on their pension or CPP/OAS income. When you die, your CPP survivor benefit is only a fraction of what you were receiving, and some employer pensions reduce or stop paying to a surviving spouse. If your partner would face a genuine income shortfall, life insurance fills that gap. Other valid reasons include covering an outstanding mortgage, equalizing an inheritance among children, or leaving a charitable legacy.
Situation
Recommended Coverage
Type
Surviving spouse depends on your pension/income
Income replacement (5–10× annual need)
Term or whole life
Outstanding mortgage or debts
Amount owed
Term life
Cover funeral/final expenses
$10,000–$25,000
Final expense or guaranteed issue
Equalize inheritance (e.g., one child gets house, others get insurance)
Value of assets to equalize
Whole or term life
Leave a legacy/charitable gift
Desired amount
Whole life
Business succession
Business value
Term or whole life
Replace lost CPP/OAS survivor benefit
Income gap amount
Term life
When Seniors May Not Need Life Insurance
If nobody depends on your income, your debts are paid off, and you have enough savings to cover final expenses, life insurance at this stage of life is an unnecessary cost. Many retired Canadians with full company pensions that continue to a surviving spouse, no mortgage, and a healthy RRSP or TFSA balance are in exactly this position. Dropping a policy you no longer need and redirecting those premiums toward enjoying your retirement is often the right financial move.
Situation
Why Insurance May Not Be Needed
No surviving dependents
No one relies on your income
Sufficient savings and assets
Estate can cover all costs
No outstanding debts
Nothing to pay off at death
Company pension continues to spouse
Income is already replaced
Funeral pre-paid
Final expenses already covered
Alternatives to Life Insurance for Seniors
Life insurance is not the only way to address final expenses or provide for a surviving spouse. A well-funded TFSA with a named beneficiary passes to your heirs tax-free and serves as a flexible self-insurance tool. Pre-paying your funeral at today’s prices removes that burden entirely. And if both spouses are alive and healthy, a joint last-to-die policy covers both lives but only pays out after the second death — at significantly lower premiums than two individual policies.
Alternative
How It Works
Pros
Cons
Pre-paid funeral plan
Pay funeral home in advance at today’s prices
Locks in cost, no medical exam
Non-refundable, tied to one funeral home
TFSA as death benefit
Designate beneficiary on TFSA — tax-free transfer
No premiums, flexible
Depends on savings amount
Joint last-to-die policy
Pays out when second spouse dies — cheaper premiums
Lower cost than individual policies
Only pays after both pass
Critical illness insurance
Lump sum if diagnosed with covered illness
Can use while alive
Expensive at older ages, limited conditions
Self-insure
Build savings to cover final expenses
No premiums
Requires discipline and sufficient assets
How to Apply for Life Insurance as a Senior
Working with an independent insurance broker is the single best move a senior can make when shopping for life insurance. Brokers have access to multiple insurers and understand which companies are most competitive for specific age groups and health conditions. They can also navigate the underwriting process and match you with the right product \u2014 preventing you from overpaying for guaranteed issue when you might qualify for cheaper simplified or term coverage.
Step
Details
1. Assess your needs
Debt, funeral costs, income replacement, legacy goals
2. Check employer/group coverage
Some retirees retain group benefit options
3. Get quotes from 3–5 providers
Compare term, simplified issue, and guaranteed issue
4. Consider a broker
Independent brokers can shop across multiple insurers
5. Disclose health honestly
Non-disclosure can void your policy
6. Review beneficiary designations
Keep up to date as circumstances change
7. Review annually
Needs may change as debts are paid off
The Bottom Line
Not every senior needs life insurance — and paying high premiums for coverage you do not need is money better put toward your retirement. But if you have a spouse who depends on your income, outstanding debts, or want to ensure your family is not stuck with funeral costs, the right policy provides genuine peace of mind. Start with term if you are healthy, consider simplified or guaranteed issue if you are not, and always compare quotes from at least 3-5 providers or work with an independent broker.