In your 40s or 50s? It is not too late to protect them.
The short answer
Term life insurance is widely available in your 40s and 50s. Premiums rise with age and health, so reviewing cover sooner can help. Size it around your remaining mortgage, the years your family still relies on your income and any debts, and check whether old policies or work cover still fit today.
Who this cover may suit
- You have a mortgage with 10 to 25 years left.
- Children or a partner still rely on your income.
- You took out a policy years ago and are unsure it still fits.
- You rely on employer death-in-service cover.
When to consider another option
- You only want a small sum for a funeral — compare over-50s plans.
- You have a significant health condition — see cover with medical conditions.
- You run a limited company — see relevant life policies.
How it works
Tell us about you
A few simple questions about your age, health and what you want to protect.
Choose amount and term
Pick how much cover you want, its shape and how long it should last.
Review real options
See options based on your answers, with a real person to help if you want one.
What changes in mid-life
MoneyHelper notes that age and health are among the main factors in the cost of life cover. [2] Our 40s and 50s guide goes into more detail.
| Question | Why it matters | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Mortgage left? | Sets the core amount and term | Check your latest statement |
| Years children rely on you? | Sets how long family cover lasts | Count to independence |
| Old policy still fits? | May be too small or end too soon | Compare against today’s needs |
| Work cover? | Usually ends if you leave | Do not rely on it alone |
| Trust in place? | Faster payout, may reduce IHT | Ask your insurer for forms |
Term cover or an over-50s plan?
Term cover pays a chosen sum if you die within a set period and usually has medical questions. Over-50s plans often have no medical questions but pay a smaller fixed sum and may have a waiting period. See our over-50s page for an honest comparison.
Reviewing a policy taken out 15 years ago
Fictional example: Mark and Claire, 48 and 46, remortgaged to £150,000 with 12 years left, and have a teenage daughter. No prices are shown because real premiums depend on underwriting.
- Old policy
- Decreasing cover that no longer matches the new mortgage
- Gap
- Remortgage extended the loan and term
- Option
- Keep the old policy and add a top-up policy
- Rule
- Never cancel old cover until new cover starts
They close the gap without losing cover they already have. See our term length guide.
Tax and trusts
Writing a policy in trust can keep the payout outside your estate, where Inheritance Tax is usually charged above £325,000. [4] HMRC explains how trusts are taxed. [5]
Mid-life cover at a glance
What works well
- Cover is widely available at this age.
- Top-up policies can fill gaps.
- Shorter terms may be needed.
What to watch
- Premiums rise with age.
- Health changes can affect terms.
- Work cover usually ends when you leave.
The FCA’s market study into pure protection found that competition generally works well, while noting many households remain underinsured. [3] Answer every application question accurately: under the Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012 you must take reasonable care not to misrepresent. [6]
Employer death-in-service cover is valuable, but MoneyHelper notes it usually ends when you leave the job. [7] If a claim is ever disputed, the Financial Ombudsman Service handles complaints about insurers free of charge. [8]
Keep exploring
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth getting life insurance in your 40s?
For many people, yes. Your 40s are often when financial responsibilities peak: a mortgage with many years left, children still at school, and a household that depends on one or two incomes. Term life insurance can pay off the mortgage or replace income if you die during the term. Premiums are generally higher than in your 20s or 30s, but usually lower than they will be later. Whether it is worth it depends on who relies on you and what other cover and savings you already have.
Can I get term life insurance in my 50s?
Yes. Term life insurance is widely available to people in their 50s, and many insurers accept applications into their 60s or beyond, with maximum ages at the end of the term. Premiums reflect your age and health, and you may be asked more medical questions. If you mainly need to cover a remaining mortgage or support a partner for a set number of years, a term policy is often a better fit than a whole-of-life or over-50s plan, because it pays a larger sum for the period you choose.
Should I replace my old life insurance policy?
Not automatically. An older policy may have been priced when you were younger and healthier, so it can be good value. The question is whether it still fits: is the amount enough, does it end at the right time, and does it match your current mortgage? Often the best approach is to keep the old policy and add a top-up policy for any gap. If you do decide to replace it, never cancel the existing cover until the new policy has been accepted and is in force.
Is death-in-service cover through work enough?
It can be a valuable part of your protection, often paying a multiple of your salary. But MoneyHelper notes it usually ends when you leave the job, and in your 40s and 50s you may change roles, go part-time, or retire early. If you rely on it and then leave, you would need to apply for personal cover at an older age and possibly with new health conditions. Many people treat work cover as a bonus and keep a personal policy for the essentials, such as the mortgage.
How long should my term be in my 40s or 50s?
Match the term to the need. For a mortgage, the term usually matches the remaining mortgage term. For family income, it might run until your youngest child is expected to be financially independent. For a partner, it might run until your planned retirement, when pensions take over. Shorter terms usually cost less, but ending too early can leave a gap. Our term-length guide and the calculator on this page can help you think it through before you start a quote.
What is the difference between term cover and over-50s life insurance?
Term cover pays a chosen amount if you die within a set period, such as 15 years, and pays nothing if you outlive it. It usually asks medical questions. Over-50s plans typically guarantee acceptance with no medical questions, run for the rest of your life, and pay a smaller fixed amount, often with a waiting period at the start. Over a long time you could pay in more than the plan pays out. They suit different needs: term cover for large, time-limited needs, over-50s plans for small, lifelong ones.
Sources
- Association of British Insurers — Protection insurers pay out £7.84 billion in claims in 2025 (2026-06-29)
- MoneyHelper — What is life insurance? (2026-09-28)
- Financial Conduct Authority — MS24/1.5 Market Study into the Distribution of Pure Protection Insurance Products: Final Report (2026-09-21)
- GOV.UK — How Inheritance Tax works: thresholds, rules and allowances (2026-09-28)
- HM Revenue & Customs — Trusts and Inheritance Tax (2010-11-08)
- legislation.gov.uk — Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012 (2012-03-08)
- MoneyHelper — Life insurance through work (2026-09-28)
- Financial Ombudsman Service — Complain about a financial business (2026-09-28)
- Office for National Statistics — Inflation and price indices (2026-09-17)
- GOV.UK — Bereavement Support Payment (2026-09-28)
- legislation.gov.uk — Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (2003-04-10)
- GOV.UK — Funeral Expenses Payment (2026-09-28)
- NHS — Cancer (2026-09-28)
- GOV.UK — Trusts and taxes (2026-09-28)