🔑 Key Takeaways: What You Need to Know Right Now
- Who actually underwrites Aarp policies? New York Life Insurance Company—not Aarp
- What’s the age requirement? Aarp members ages 50 to 80 and spouses/partners ages 45 to 80
- Is a medical exam required? No physical exam for any policy; health questions required for term and whole life
- What’s the maximum coverage? Coverage options range from $10,000 to $150,000 for term life. Whole life policies can provide up to $100,000. Guaranteed acceptance policies have coverage limits up to $30,000.
- Do term rates stay level? No—premium goes up at age 55, 60, 65, 70, and 75
- When does term coverage end? Coverage expires at 80
- Are there cheaper alternatives? Yes—Mutual of Omaha is less expensive than the Aarp life insurance program, Colonial Penn, Trustage, and many others
📞 Complete Contact Information: Every Number and Address You’ll Need
| Department | Phone Number | Hours | 📋 Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Experience | (800) 850-2658 | Monday-Friday 8am-8pm Et | General questions, billing 📱 |
| New Policies/Quotes | (800) 607-6957 | Monday-Friday 8am-8pm Et | Apply for coverage, get quotes 📝 |
| Claims Department | (800) 695-5165 | Monday-Friday 8am-8pm Et | Report death, file claims 📋 |
| Aarp Membership | [email protected] | 24/7 email | Membership questions 💌 |
Mailing Addresses:
| Mail Type | Address | 📮 Use For |
|---|---|---|
| Regular correspondence | New York Life, Aarp Life Insurance Program, P.O. Box 30712, Tampa, Fl 33630-3712 | Documents, payments 📬 |
| Claims (regular mail) | New York Life, Aarp Operations, Attn: Claims Dept., P.O. Box 30713, Tampa, Fl 33630-3713 | Death claims 📄 |
| Claims (express mail) | New York Life, Aarp Operations, Attn: Claims Dept., 8641 Henderson Road, Tampa, Fl 33634 | Urgent claims 🚀 |
| Claims fax | (855) 381-5010 | Faxed documents 📠 |
💵 The Three Policy Types: Understanding What You’re Actually Buying
Level Benefit Term Life Insurance
Coverage from $10,000 to $150,000. There’s no medical exam. Applicants provide health information. Term life insurance coverage is for Aarp members ages 50 to 74 and spouses/partners ages 45 to 74.
The critical catch nobody emphasizes: This product has rate hikes every 5 years. Your premium goes up at age 55, 60, 65, 70, and 75—and those increases aren’t guaranteed to be small. They can be steep, especially if you’re on a fixed income. Coverage expires at 80.
| Age Band | What Happens | 💰 Financial Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 50-54 | Initial rate locked | Lowest premium period ✅ |
| 55-59 | First rate increase | Noticeable jump 📈 |
| 60-64 | Second increase | Budget strain begins 😬 |
| 65-69 | Third increase | Significant cost rise 💸 |
| 70-74 | Fourth increase | More than 400% of initial rate 😱 |
| 75-79 | Fifth and final increase | Maximum premium paid 🔺 |
| 80 | Policy terminates | Coverage ends completely ❌ |
Permanent Whole Life Insurance
Coverage is up to $100,000. No medical exam is required, only information about your health. Whole life coverage is available to Aarp members ages 50 to 80 and spouses/partners ages 45 to 80.
Unlike term policies, whole life coverage doesn’t end at a certain age. It covers you for life. And with these policies, rates are guaranteed to never increase.
This is Aarp’s most competitive product—Aarp recently announced lower rates for this policy, and the premiums are very competitive for coverage up to $15,000.
Guaranteed Acceptance Life Insurance
Policies can provide up to $30,000 in coverage. There is no medical exam required and no health questions to answer. Coverage is available to Aarp members ages 50 to 85 and spouses/partners ages 45 to 85.
The devastating caveat: Because acceptance is guaranteed, there is a two-year waiting period. If you die during the waiting period, there will only be a refund of 110% of the money you paid.
| Policy Type | Max Coverage | Ages | Health Questions | Waiting Period | 🎯 Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term Life | $150,000 | 50-74 | Yes | None | Healthy seniors needing temporary coverage 📅 |
| Whole Life | $100,000 | 50-80 | Yes | None | Lifetime coverage with stable rates 🏠 |
| Guaranteed Acceptance | $30,000 | 50-85 | None | 2 years | Seniors with serious health issues 🏥 |
⚠️ The Pricing Problem: Why Aarp Often Costs More Than Alternatives
Regardless of which type of life insurance you want (term life, whole life, or guaranteed acceptance), the primary problem is that Aarp funeral insurance is often more expensive than other final expense insurance companies.
Aarp term life insurance rates are 2-3 times higher than underwritten options for the same applicant.
Here’s what industry experts consistently find: Mutual of Omaha is less expensive than the Aarp life insurance program, Colonial Penn, Trustage, and many others.
| Provider | $25,000 Whole Life (Age 70 Female) | Medical Exam | Am Best Rating | 💡 Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aarp/New York Life | Higher rates | No | A++ | Brand premium costs extra 💰 |
| Mutual of Omaha | Lower rates | No | A+ | Typically more affordable ✅ |
| Colonial Penn | Highest rates | No | A- | 40-50% higher than competitors ❌ |
The other big issue is that while Aarp offers life insurance with no waiting period, consumers often report it’s difficult to obtain. To get immediate coverage, you have to apply for one of their policies that asks about your health history. Based on feedback from real customers who applied with them, Aarp seems to deny most applicants with pre-existing conditions.
😠 Real Customer Complaints: What Aarp Won’t Show You in Their Brochures
My mom had this plan. When she died, she had paid monthly more than twice the value of the policy over the years she had the policy. I tried to address this issue with New York Life. I was told that if I canceled, we would not only not get the amount of the policy value but 1/3 less. Aarp should be ashamed of endorsing a plan that takes advantage of seniors and their families like this.
We had Aarp life insurance for years, but, with changes to their website, access to our accounts is impossible. They want a verification code they never send so we can’t access our accounts. I have called customer support and they refuse to help, so we have had to cancel our policies.
After reading over my term life insurance policy with Aarp New York Life, I decided it was not what I was looking for. On September 29, 2025, I requested a refund of my first premium. On October 20, I still had not received the check. I was then told that my refund had not been processed, and it would be another seven to ten days as it had to go through a special department.
However, the official complaint data tells a different story: The Naic has reported that New York Life had a total complaint ratio of 0.20 for individual life insurance policies, quite a small figure for a company of its size.
| Rating Source | Score | What It Means | 📊 Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naic Complaint Index | 0.03 | Significantly below the national average of one | Excellent 🌟 |
| Am Best Rating | A++ | Highest possible | Superior financial strength 💪 |
| Better Business Bureau | A- | Above average | Good complaint resolution 👍 |
| J.D. Power Satisfaction | No. 8 out of 22 companies | Upper tier | Solid customer satisfaction ✅ |
🏆 The Better Alternatives: What Independent Brokers Recommend Instead
Independent brokers can access companies with better prices, more flexibility, and first-day coverage—all without making you pay for New York Life’s “Aarp” stamp.
Mutual of Omaha (Recommended for most seniors)
Mutual of Omaha’s final expense insurance is widely regarded as the best burial insurance option for seniors. Their Living Promise product has no waiting period and is typically more affordable than most other burial insurance companies.
Mutual of Omaha offers people age 45 to 85 guaranteed issue life insurance coverage. There is no medical exam required and you won’t have to answer any health questions.
Colonial Penn (Last resort only)
Colonial Penn is rarely a good deal for seniors in average health. Our comparisons show their rates are 40-50% higher than competitors like Mutual of Omaha or Aig. Most seniors can qualify for no medical exam life insurance with better rates and no waiting period. Colonial Penn only makes sense if you’ve been declined by multiple other insurers.
| Alternative Provider | Best For | Max Age | Waiting Period | 📞 Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mutual of Omaha | Most seniors | 85 | None available | (800) 775-6000 |
| Transamerica | Healthy seniors | 85 | None | (800) 797-2643 |
| Aig Direct | Budget-conscious | 80 | None | (800) 244-4300 |
| Foresters Financial | Community-focused | 85 | None | (800) 828-1540 |
🎯 Who Should Actually Buy Aarp Life Insurance?
Based on its typical features and structure, the Aarp New York Life whole life insurance policy might be a reasonable consideration for: Seniors aged 50-80 looking primarily to cover funeral costs, burial expenses, and small end-of-life debts. Individuals who place a high value on the reputation and familiarity of Aarp and New York Life. People seeking simplified or guaranteed acceptance if avoiding a medical exam is a priority, or if health issues make traditional underwriting difficult.
| You Should Consider Aarp If… | You Should Look Elsewhere If… |
|---|---|
| You trust the Aarp brand implicitly 🏛️ | You’re healthy and can qualify for underwritten policies 💚 |
| You need under $15,000 whole life coverage | You need coverage beyond age 80 📅 |
| You’ve been declined elsewhere 🚫 | Price is your primary concern 💰 |
| You want simple online application 💻 | You want level term premiums 📊 |
| You’re already an Aarp member | You’re under 50 years old 👶 |
📋 The Accelerated Death Benefit: One Genuinely Valuable Feature
Coverage includes an Accelerated Death Benefit. If you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness and have a life expectancy of 24 months or less, you can access half of your benefit during your lifetime.
This living benefit allows policyholders facing terminal diagnoses to receive funds while still alive—a genuinely helpful feature that can cover medical expenses, hospice care, or final wishes.
❓ Critical Questions Answered
Q: Do I need to be an Aarp member to buy this insurance?
Yes. To apply, you must first join Aarp ($16/year), which unlocks access to all policies. This is essentially an additional annual fee on top of your premiums.
Q: What happens when I turn 80 with term life insurance?
Term life coverage ends at age 80, after which you can exchange your policy for a permanent life insurance policy. However, conversion rates are based on your age at conversion—meaning they’ll be expensive.
Q: How long does claim payment take?
If the claim is incontestable, payments are usually mailed 7-10 business days after New York Life receives a completed claim form and death certificate.
Q: Can I manage my policy online?
You can download forms, view your certificate, make premium payments online with our Manage My Payments tool, change your address and more.
Q: Is the guaranteed acceptance policy worth it?
Aarp’s guaranteed issue plan is only worth considering if you’ve been declined elsewhere. Better deals are available for every other life insurance policy offered by Aarp.
💡 Expert Pro Tips: Saving Money on Senior Life Insurance
Tip 1: Compare quotes from independent brokers. One of the primary drawbacks to working with Aarp is that they cannot offer you any other companies that might give you a better policy. But when you work with a broker, they can match you with whichever final expense company suits you best.
Tip 2: Don’t assume you need guaranteed acceptance. People assume they need guaranteed acceptance when they’d actually qualify for traditional coverage at much better rates.
Tip 3: Consider whole life over term if you’re over 65. Term premiums skyrocket after 65, and coverage ends at 80—right when your family might need it most.
Tip 4: Check Mutual of Omaha first. Overall, Mutual of Omaha rates are consistently on the lower end of the spectrum compared to other providers. Seniors over 80 can obtain a new policy. Coverage with no waiting period is available.
Tip 5: Ask about the two-year waiting period implications. If you have serious health conditions and must choose guaranteed acceptance, understand that dying within two years means your family receives only premiums paid plus 10% interest—not the full death benefit.
🎯 The Bottom Line: Is Aarp Life Insurance Worth It?
Against other senior-focused insurers like Mutual of Omaha or Colonial Penn, Aarp typically offers better value through higher coverage limits and more flexible underwriting. The partnership with New York Life provides institutional advantages that smaller senior-market specialists cannot replicate.
However, Most of Aarp’s policies cost significantly more than underwritten alternatives. If your health is decent, don’t settle for less. Compare quotes from top-tier companies first. You might pay less and get more.
The final verdict: Aarp life insurance is a legitimate product backed by one of America’s most financially stable insurers. But the Aarp brand name comes with a price premium that healthy seniors don’t need to pay. Before signing anything, get quotes from at least three independent sources. Your family’s financial security is too important to accept the first offer you see—even when it carries a trusted name.