Life Insurance for Seniors Over 85 in Pennsylvania – No Medical Exam Options

If you are 85, 86, 87, 88, 89 or older and looking for life insurance in Pennsylvania, you may have already discovered that finding coverage becomes more difficult at advanced ages.

The good news is that age alone does not always mean you are out of options.

Depending on your exact age, health, medications and the amount of coverage you need, certain insurance companies may still offer life insurance for seniors over 85 without requiring a traditional medical exam.

The challenge is knowing which insurance companies are willing to consider older applicants. Maximum issue ages vary dramatically from one company to another.

Can You Get Life Insurance After Age 85 in Pennsylvania?

It may be possible.

Many traditional life insurance policies stop accepting new applicants at age 80 or 85. However, some insurers have products with higher maximum issue ages.

This is why seniors should not assume that being declined by one company means that every insurance company will decline them.

An independent insurance professional can look at multiple companies and determine whether there are policies currently available for your age and circumstances.

Can Seniors Over 85 Get Life Insurance With No Medical Exam?

Some policies do not require the traditional medical examination commonly associated with life insurance.

That means you may not need:

• A physical examination
• A nurse visiting your home
• Blood work
• A urine sample

However, no medical exam does not necessarily mean no underwriting.

An insurance company may still ask health questions, review prescription information or use other underwriting information when determining whether an applicant qualifies.

No Medical Exam vs. Guaranteed-Issue Life Insurance

These terms are often confused, but they are not necessarily the same.

Simplified-Issue Life Insurance

Simplified-issue insurance generally eliminates the traditional physical exam but may require you to answer medical questions.

For a senior who qualifies, this type of coverage may provide more favorable benefits or pricing than a guaranteed-issue policy.

Guaranteed-Issue Life Insurance

Guaranteed-issue policies generally involve little or no medical underwriting.

However, many guaranteed-issue policies have strict maximum application ages. They can also have smaller death benefits, higher costs relative to the coverage amount and a graded or limited death benefit during the first years of the policy.

That distinction becomes especially important after age 85.

Life Insurance at Age 86 in Pennsylvania

At age 86, the number of insurance companies willing to issue a new policy is smaller than it would be at age 75 or 80.

That does not necessarily mean there are no options.

A broker can determine whether any current policies accept applications at age 86 and whether your health profile fits their underwriting requirements.

Life Insurance at Age 87 or 88

Applicants who are 87 or 88 are entering a highly specialized part of the life insurance market.

At these ages, it becomes especially important to compare companies rather than relying on online advertisements that may actually be intended for younger seniors.

Maximum issue age can be just as important as price.

Life Insurance at Age 89 or Older

Coverage options can become extremely limited around ages 89 and 90.

However, families should not automatically assume that there is no reason to check.

Insurance products and carrier guidelines change, so the best approach is to review what is currently available based on the applicant’s exact age and health.

Why Do Pennsylvania Seniors Over 85 Buy Life Insurance?

At this stage of life, the reason for purchasing insurance is often different from someone buying a $1 million policy while raising a young family.

Older adults commonly look for smaller permanent policies designed to provide money for final expenses or leave additional funds to family members.

Life insurance proceeds can potentially help beneficiaries with:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Cremation expenses
• Outstanding medical bills
• Credit card balances
• Personal debts
• Household bills
• Money for children or grandchildren
• Other expenses after death

Final Expense Insurance for Pennsylvania Seniors Over 85

Final expense insurance is typically a form of permanent life insurance with a smaller death benefit than traditional life insurance policies.

The policy is commonly purchased by people who want to leave money available for funeral expenses and other costs their family could face after their death.

Because these policies are designed for older applicants, their underwriting can sometimes be more accommodating than traditional large life insurance policies.

Maximum issue ages still vary by insurance company.

How Much Coverage Does Someone Over 85 Need?

There is no single amount that is appropriate for every senior.

Before shopping for a policy, consider what you want the money to accomplish.

Ask yourself:

• Do I primarily want enough money for funeral expenses?
• Do I have outstanding debts?
• Would my family need help with household expenses?
• Do I want to leave additional money to children or grandchildren?
• Do I already own another life insurance policy?
• Do I have sufficient savings that could cover these expenses instead?

The goal should be to find an amount that addresses your needs without creating a premium that becomes difficult to maintain.

How Expensive Is Life Insurance After Age 85?

Age is one of the major factors affecting life insurance premiums.

Coverage purchased after age 85 can therefore be considerably more expensive per dollar of death benefit than insurance purchased decades earlier.

Other factors can include:

• Exact age
• Gender
• Health history
• Prescription medications
• Tobacco use
• Coverage amount
• Policy type
• Insurance company underwriting rules

Because of these variables, a generic price advertised online may not represent the price actually available to you.

Should You Cancel an Existing Life Insurance Policy?

Usually, you should be extremely careful before replacing an existing policy at age 85 or older.

An older policy may have pricing or benefits that would be impossible to obtain again at your current age.

Before cancelling anything:

• Review the existing death benefit
• Check the current premium
• Determine whether premiums can increase
• Review any cash value
• Compare the existing policy with the proposed new policy
• Make sure new coverage is actually in force before considering cancellation

Life Insurance for Seniors With Health Conditions

Many people in their 80s have some type of medical history.

Conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes do not automatically tell you whether you will or will not qualify for coverage.

Insurance companies have different underwriting guidelines.

Depending on the policy, conditions that may affect eligibility can include:

• Heart disease
• Previous heart attack
• Stroke history
• Diabetes
• Cancer history
• COPD or other respiratory conditions
• Kidney disease
• Recent hospitalization
• Mobility or daily-living limitations

Applicants should always answer insurance application questions truthfully and completely.

Why Comparing Insurance Companies Matters More After Age 85

For younger applicants, dozens of companies may compete for their business.

For someone over age 85, the situation can be very different.

One company may stop accepting applications at 80. Another may stop at 85. A different company may have an option for an older applicant but use different health requirements.

For this reason, shopping around can be particularly valuable for seniors in their late 80s.

Life Insurance for Seniors Throughout Pennsylvania

Mintco Financial can help Pennsylvania families explore available life insurance options throughout the Commonwealth, including:

• Philadelphia
• Pittsburgh
• Allentown
• Erie
• Reading
• Scranton
• Harrisburg
• Lancaster
• Bethlehem
• York
• State College
• Wilkes-Barre
• And communities throughout Pennsylvania

Frequently Asked Questions About Life Insurance Over 85 in Pennsylvania

Can an 85-year-old get life insurance in Pennsylvania?

Potentially. Eligibility depends on the insurance company, policy, health history and other underwriting factors.

Can an 86-year-old get life insurance without a medical exam?

Certain products may not require a traditional physical exam, although health questions or other simplified underwriting may still be required.

Can an 88-year-old purchase final expense insurance?

Possibly, but the number of insurers offering coverage becomes significantly smaller at advanced ages. Available options should be checked based on the applicant’s exact age.

Can someone who is 90 get life insurance?

New coverage at age 90 is extremely limited. A broker can check whether any current products are available rather than assuming coverage exists.

Does no medical exam mean guaranteed approval?

No. A policy can require no physical examination and still use health questions or other underwriting criteria.

Can life insurance pay for a funeral?

Generally, the death benefit is paid to the named beneficiary. The beneficiary can typically use the proceeds for funeral expenses, outstanding bills or other financial needs.

Is life insurance subject to Pennsylvania inheritance tax?

Pennsylvania Department of Revenue guidance states that life insurance policies on the life of a decedent, whether payable to the estate or a named beneficiary, are exempt from Pennsylvania inheritance tax for applicable estates.