Insurance provides us with financial protection against the “what ifs” in life, which inevitably increase as we age. Whether you need expensive equipment such as a power scooter, require dental care following a bout with cancer and radiation, or you’re committed to finding a way to help fund your grandchildren’s college education, insurance is essential for all individuals over the age of 65.
With the right providers and plans, you can attend important physician appointments, purchase specialized glasses for your spouse, and pay for long-term care — all while ensuring the most valuable use of your funds.
I’ve compiled detailed information on the various types of senior insurance, along with my favorite providers. This guide is based on extensive research and includes my first-hand interactions with each brand during my decades as a professional caregiver.
Naturally, the older we get, the higher our chances are of needing some type of medical care. Although being an American resident or citizen has many benefits, health-care costs are not one of them. In fact, the United States is known as the most expensive healthcare system in the world.
On average, individuals 65 and older can expect to spend approximately $14,000 on health-care expenses annually, not including long-term care costs. Fortunately, there are several federal insurance programs for individuals over 65 that may help with these expenses.
Medicare includes two primary parts, Part A and Part B. American citizens over the age of 65 who have paid — or their spouse has paid — full-time Medicare taxes for at least 10 years are eligible for free Medicare Part A premiums:
This federal health coverage program for low-income adults, families, and people on disability is regulated by individual states, each with its own rules. Some seniors qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. Unlike Medicare, Medicaid often provides coverage for nursing home care and other long-term services. Medicare often only covers these kinds of care for short periods, usually less than 100 days.
Seniors still have the option to use private insurance. Retired older adults who are under 65 can find private insurance via the government’s Health Insurance Marketplace or buy a policy directly from their preferred provider. While private insurance is usually more expensive than Medicare, seniors who continue to work and whose employers contribute toward premiums may want to consider private insurance, especially individuals who have dependents.
Medigap is an extra form of insurance seniors can purchase from private companies and works in conjunction with Medicare Part B. It covers certain costs that traditional Medicare does not, such as copays or coinsurance, deductibles, and medical care during international travel.
Legal Tip: While both Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) and Medigap (Medicare supplemental insurance) each have their unique benefits, you can’t enroll in both plan types at the same time.
While each Medigap provider has its pros and cons, I’ve listed three that I highly recommend below:
Other providers that offer notable Medigap plans include State Farm, AARP, Colonial Penn, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and Anthem.
When left untreated, many oral health issues can become serious medical concerns, and, unfortunately, seniors should be prepared for more frequent dental problems as they continue to age. Routine dental care may help reduce the long-term costs of more severe oral health issues, but even basic dental care can be expensive, and Medicare doesn’t cover dental. That’s where dental insurance for seniors comes into play.
My top three dental insurance providers are: Aetna, Humana, and Cigna. Each of these companies offer Medicare Advantage with dental, stand-alone dental plans, and dental discount plans.
Dental Tip: Need dental care now? Although dental insurance plans almost always come with waiting periods for services beyond preventative care, you can see savings on more serious procedures and emergency dental care as soon as today with dental discount plans. That’s right. There’s no waiting period!
The prevalence of eye conditions and diseases increase as we get older and grow rapidly after age 75. Unfortunately, Original Medicare still does not offer vision benefits, despite the fact that a basic eye exam alone can cost upwards of $200 without insurance. Since our eyes are so vital to our safety and quality of life, I always recommend making sure you have some type of vision benefit. One price-efficient way to do this is to bundle and choose vision insurance with your dental plan. Here, you’ll find three of my top suggestions for combined vision and dental plans.
Life insurance is a means of providing financial support for your loved ones upon your death. It can be used to pay off debts or simply make the lives of your beneficiaries easier. When you sign a life insurance contract, you agree to pay your premiums for a fixed or indefinite time, depending on your policy selection. The insurance company then promises to pay out the agreed-upon death benefit to your loved ones after you have passed.
Term life insurance, commonly called pure life insurance, tends to cost less than whole life insurance and only lasts for a fixed period of time. Its purpose is to protect your family financially in case you pass away unexpectedly. When you purchase a policy, you select a term, like 10, 20, or 30 years. Over time, the payout and premium typically remain the same. If you die during the time frame you selected, your family receives the specified death benefit. Otherwise, you get nothing from having the plan, aside from maybe peace of mind.
Conversely, whole life insurance doesn’t expire, so the beneficiary is guaranteed the insurance payout after your passing. Premiums may increase with age based on the provider’s actuarial tables and rising end-of-life costs. Unfortunately, premiums for whole life insurance, also known as permanent or traditional life insurance, can be from six to 10 times the cost of term life insurance premiums. Whole life insurance also requires an investment portion, which functions as your policy’s cash value. This cash value slowly grows at a guaranteed rate in a tax-deferred account, and sometimes providers share these account dividends with policyholders. Some whole life providers require medical exams before initiating coverage.
Life insurance costs vary significantly based on the policy type you choose and your age, gender, hobbies, and health history. Term life insurance is generally more affordable than whole life insurance. However, it does carry the same benefits. Factors that increase your premiums’ price when you begin your policy include an increased age or declining health. Therefore, most people find it better to initiate life insurance policies while they are younger and in good health.
Death benefits are distributed to your beneficiary upon your death for all active life insurance policies.
To learn more about our favorite life insurance providers, check out our helpful guides:
Also known as final expense or funeral insurance, burial insurance policies are technically small life insurance plans, which exist so you can ensure your loved ones don’t have to pay the $5,500 to $9,500 median cost of funeral services upon your passing. Of course, your family can legally use the money it receives from your burial insurance payout for any expenses they choose. For example, if your burial is already covered, your children might take some extra time off work to spend with family or your spouse. Alternatively, your family might choose to use this money to fly in loved ones who can’t afford to get to your services or make a donation in your name to a cause you care about.
Monthly premiums average between $50 and $100, and burial insurance death benefits typically range from $5,000 to $20,000, with $10,000 being the most common. Policyholders who submit to a medical exam and are determined to be in good health receive more discounted policies. Individuals who prefer “no questions asked” policies should expect higher premiums. Premiums for burial insurance typically remain the same throughout your life, which you may prefer instead of selecting whole life insurance policies that often increase in price as you age.
Veteran Savings: Are you or your spouse a veteran? If so, many insurance companies offer special discounts or packages for former service members. Remember to take advantage of these. Also, keep in mind that not all deals are listed on company websites or advertisements. It never hurts to ask directly about savings for veterans.
Estate planning involves determining how your assets will be managed following your death; specifically, how your possessions and finances should be distributed. Life insurance policies, which companies pay out following your death, are considered intangible assets. Due to estate planning’s delicate legal nature, policyholders typically enlist an estate law attorney’s help with these matters. Doing so is the best way to guarantee your family will follow your wishes once you have passed.
As you begin thinking about an estate plan, one of the first things you’ll want to do is take an inventory of all your tangible and intangible assets and then estimate each one’s financial value. Next, you should consider the needs of your heirs and make a record of them. Your third step involves establishing specific legal directives, so you’ll need to hire an attorney by the time you’re ready to start creating and signing documents regarding end-of-life wishes, trusts, etc.
Although research has proven seniors tend to be some of the safest drivers, insurance policies for individuals over age 65 are, in most cases, still more expensive than coverage for younger adults. This price adjustment is most likely a result of the risk factors that increase with age, such as using more medications, slow reaction times, impaired vision or hearing, and more. However, if you’re over 65 and in need of car insurance, don’t worry! Many companies provide savings for low mileage, safe driving discounts, and other ways to keep your monthly costs down. I’ve listed three of my top brands that offer excellent auto insurance options for seniors here.
Health, vision, dental, auto, life, and burial insurance are crucial for aging Americans. While some insurance companies won’t renew policies for older adults or may begin charging outrageous premiums once a policyholder reaches age 65, there are still a plethora of companies and government programs that offer great coverage at affordable rates. In this guide, I have detailed some of the insurance providers I’ve found that offer seniors the best coverage, customer service, savings, and so on. I hope you’ve discovered some new ways to save money and protect the financial well-being of yourself and your loved ones.
