AARP Life Insurance Review 2026

The AARP Life Insurance Program offers policies issued by New York Life Insurance Company for AARP members 50 or older and their eligible spouses. Its life insurance is a solid pick for older adults, especially those looking to avoid a medical exam.

AARP earned 4.8 stars out of 5 for overall performance. NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and financial strength ratings.

Based on these ratings, AARP is one of our best burial insurance and best no-medical exam insurance companies in 2026.

» MORE: Best life insurance companies

Where AARP stands out

The AARP advocates for seniors and has more than 37 million members, offering affordable options for both term and whole life insurance without a medical exam. AARP’s term life insurance policies can also be converted to permanent coverage before the insured turns 80. Some of AARP’s whole life insurance policies also offer living benefits.

Where AARP falls short

Anyone 18 or over can join AARP, but life insurance availability is limited to members 50 or older, plus eligible spouses. Both AARP’s term and permanent life insurance policies offer limited coverage, but larger amounts may be available by calling New York Life.

It’s also worth noting that AARP term life insurance premiums increase every five years, and AARP’s guaranteed issue life insurance isn’t available in New Jersey.

Term life insurance. AARP members ages 50 to 74 and their spouses ages 45 to 74 can apply, and the coverage can last until the insured’s 80th birthday.

Although the death benefit stays level through the term, the annual price increases each time the insured person enters a new five-year age band. A term life policy can be converted to permanent insurance at or before age 80.

AARP term life policies feature modest coverage amounts of $10,000 to $150,000, although higher amounts may be available by calling New York Life. Applicants answer a few health questions and provide other health information, but do not have to take a life insurance medical exam.

Whole life insurance. AARP members ages 50 to 80 and their spouses ages 45 to 80 can apply for whole life insurance. The annual price stays level, and coverage lasts throughout your life — though you can stop making premium payments once the policy is considered paid up (typically at age 95).

Up to $100,000 of coverage is offered through the online application, although higher amounts may be available by calling New York Life. Acceptance is based on answers to a few health questions.

AARP also offers a whole life policy with living benefits. With this policy, you can access up to half your policy’s payout while you’re alive if you’re diagnosed with a qualifying illness. The maximum life insurance face amount is $100,000, though the policy isn’t available in all states.

Guaranteed acceptance whole life insurance. Age availability varies by state, but generally, AARP members ages 50 to 85 and their spouses ages 45 to 85 can apply for a policy. In New York, coverage is open to members and their spouses ages 50 to 75.

Acceptance is guaranteed, and no health questions are required for approval. The policy has a waiting period, meaning only a portion of the death benefit (110% of the premiums paid in most states) is paid out if the insured dies of natural causes in the first two years of the policy.

You can buy up to $30,000 of coverage, or you might be able to qualify for higher coverage amounts by calling New York Life. Guaranteed acceptance whole life is not available in New Jersey.

» MORE: Compare life insurance quotes

Below are monthly rates for a $150,000 term life insurance policy from AARP across a range of age bands. These are sample rates for a man and woman in excellent health — the final quote you’re offered will depend on factors like your age, health, lifestyle, occupation and driving record.

A strong sign of consumer satisfaction is how many people complain about their insurance company to state agencies. Over three years, New York Life — which issues AARP’s policies — has drawn fewer than the expected number of complaints to state regulators for a company of its size, according to a NerdWallet analysis of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

New York Life also ranked No. 8 out of 22 companies for customer satisfaction in J.D. Power's 2025 U.S. Individual Life Insurance Study.[1]

How AARP’s customer experience stacks up

The AARP Life website makes getting a quote easy, but provides limited pricing and general policy information. Phone numbers are on key pages and in the top navigation bar (under “Service & Claims”) in case you need assistance.

When we called customer service, we navigated through a few menus. However, we had a live representative on the line within two minutes. When we asked how much term life insurance we could buy, the rep told us there were many options. This aligns with AARP’s website, which claims coverage amounts above $150,000 are available by phone.

We also asked about how to activate an accelerated death benefit rider, but didn’t get an exact answer. Instead, the rep told us that there are riders available on all policies.

AARP Life doesn’t offer a mobile app to manage their policies or a live chat on the website, but you can change beneficiaries online. You can also start a claim online, but you’ll have to finish the process by email or phone.

What it’s like to apply for a policy with AARP

AARP has a “get a quote” button in its top navigation bar on pages across the site. When you click it, you have the option to get an online quote for a variety of life insurance policies, depending on where you live.

Screenshot captured by our editorial team on October 14, 2025.

We chose level benefit term life insurance and clicked the next “get a quote” button. We were asked to enter our name, address, birthday and email address, and to answer a few basic questions about tobacco use and AARP membership.

After that, we were prompted to choose a coverage option, ranging from $10,000 to $150,000. Once we selected an amount we clicked the “start my application” button.

Screenshot captured by our editorial team on October 14, 2025.

The application asks questions about your health status and whether you’ve smoked cigarettes in the past 12 months.

Screenshot captured by our editorial team on October 14, 2025.

The next screen asks you to designate a beneficiary and choose between AutoPay or mailed statements for your payments. Customers who choose AutoPay can save up to $12 a year on their premium payments.

Screenshot captured by our editorial team on October 14, 2025.

The final screen before submitting your application asks for your AARP membership number, Social Security number and phone number.

AARP partners with third parties to offer many other types of insurance. Check out these NerdWallet reviews to learn more:

• Auto insurance from AARP/The Hartford.

• Homeowners insurance from AARP/The Hartford.

• Renters insurance from AARP/The Hartford.

• AARP Medicare Advantage insurance issued by UnitedHealthcare.

Other third-party insurance offerings include:

• Boat and personal watercraft insurance.

• ATV, golf cart and snowmobile insurance.

• Collectible car insurance.

• Dental insurance.

• Long-term care insurance.

• Mobile home insurance.

• Motorcycle insurance.

• Pet insurance.

• RV insurance.

• Vision insurance.

AARP can be reached by:

• Phone: For general customer support, call 800-850-2658 on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET.

• Email: No public email address.

• Live chat: Not available.