Male
$32 /month
Female
$28 /month
While it doesn't sell whole life, RiverSource allows you to get quotes online and attracts few complaints, making it a good option for many buyers.
Rating Breakdown
Financial strength rating
Exceptional
Online purchase
No
NAIC complaints
Fewer than expected
Policies offered
Term & permanent
Looking for a whole life policy? Check out our best whole life insurance companies of 2026 list.
About RiverSource life insurance
RiverSource sells a mix of term, indexed universal and variable universal life insurance. It draws relatively few complaints and has exceptional financial strength, making it a good option for many shoppers.
RiverSource 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.
» MORE: Best life insurance companies
Where Riversource stands out
Riversource offers annual renewable term life insurance options up until age 95 and the ability to convert to a permanent life policy at age 65. These are relatively generous age limits and features that are not standard in term life policies. Riversource also boasts exceptional financial strength and a low rate of complaints for an insurer of its size.
Where Riversource falls short
You can’t apply for or buy a policy online with RiverSource. In fact, there’s no live chat or email for customer service so if you want to contact the company, you’ll have to go old school and pick up the phone.
RiverSource life insurance policies
Term life insurance. RiverSource offers term life insurance lasting 10, 15, 20 or 30 years. When that term expires, you can continue your coverage as annual renewable life insurance until age 95, although the premiums are likely to go up. There’s also an option to convert your coverage to one of the company’s permanent policies either during the first five years of your term policy or at age 65.
Indexed universal life insurance. The company offers indexed universal life insurance, which ties the policy’s cash value growth to the performance of an index, such as the S&P 500.
Variable universal life insurance. With variable universal life insurance, you choose how the policy’s cash value is invested. You can build a customized portfolio from a selection of investment options to match your goals and risk tolerance.
Some applicants may qualify for Riversource’s coverage without having to take a medical exam.
RiverSource life insurance riders
Depending on your policy, you may be able to add on these life insurance riders for a fee:
Waiver of premium rider. Pauses your premium payments if you become disabled for at least six months.
Accidental death benefit. Pays out an additional sum of money if you die from an accident.
Children’s insurance. Provides coverage for your children under your policy.
Accelerated death benefit. Allows you to access part of your death benefit if you become chronically or terminally ill.
Automatic increase rider. Increases your coverage amount each year until a specific point, such as your 65th birthday.
Accounting value increase rider. Reduces the fees associated with surrendering your cash value policy early.
» MORE: Compare life insurance quotes
RiverSource sample life insurance rates
Below are monthly rates for a 20-year, $500,000 term life insurance policy from RiverSource. These are sample rates for a nonsmoking 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.
Age | Monthly rate - man | Monthly rate - woman |
|---|---|---|
20 | $23.19 | $21 |
30 | $23.63 | $21 |
40 | $32.38 | $28.44 |
50 | $76.13 | $59.06 |
60 | $248.50 | $163.63 |
Source: Insurer's site. Rates reflect the super preferred class and were generated on 11/02/25. | ||
RiverSource customer complaints and satisfaction
A strong sign of consumer satisfaction is how many people complain about their insurance company to state agencies. Over three years, RiverSource 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.
How RiverSource’s customer experience stacks up
The RiverSource website is straightforward, with a section for each type of life insurance the company offers. There are several brochures linked, with more detailed information available for RiverSource’s indexed universal and variable universal life options.
While you can get a quick term life quote online, you’ll have to work with an agent to apply for and buy any of RiverSource’s policies. Like most insurers, RiverSource does have a web portal for policyholders, but doesn’t support submitting claims or changing beneficiaries online.
How RiverSource compares to other insurers
Riversource | John Hancock | Banner | |
|---|---|---|---|
Star rating | |||
Financial strength | Exceptional. | Exceptional. | Exceptional. |
NAIC complaints | Fewer than expected. | Fewer than expected. | Fewer than expected. |
J.D. Power ranking | N/A. | #15 out of 22. | N/A. |
Policy types offered | Term, permanent. | Term, permanent. | Term, permanent. |
Online experience | Can manage your policy online. | Can change beneficiaries and file a claim online. | Can get a quote and apply for some policies online, as well as change beneficiaries and file a claim. |
Transparency on website | Above average. | Above average. | Average. |
Best for | N/A. | ||
Read full reviews |
More about RiverSource
Besides life insurance, RiverSource also sells annuities and disability income insurance.
How to contact RiverSource
RiverSource can be reached by:
Phone: Call 800-333-3437 on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT. If you’re in New York, call 800-504-0469 Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, or Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET.
Email: No customer service email available.
Live chat: Not available.
How we rate the best life insurance companies
✅ 445 life insurers reviewed
📝 210 policies assessed
🔢 1,515 data points analyzed
📊 Star rating categories
When NerdWallet evaluates life insurance companies, our editorial team considers the insurer's strengths and weaknesses, as well as the things that matter most to customers buying a long-term financial product. We then weigh these factors carefully:
💰 Financial strength (35%). We use AM Best ratings to confirm an insurer’s financial stability and ability to pay claims far into the future. The top life insurance companies have an exceptional financial strength rating of A+ or A++ (Superior).
🗣️ Consumer complaints (35%). Our top-rated life insurance companies have fewer than the expected number of complaints to state regulators over a three-year period, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners — so you can expect a smoother customer experience.
☎️ Consumer experience (20%). Insurers who allow consumers to contact them by email, phone and live chat earn the highest scores. The same goes for insurers who support online quotes, beneficiary changes and claims.
👀 Transparency (10%). Our methodology gives higher scores to transparent insurers who clearly display information about their policy options, coverage amounts and term lengths (if applicable) on their site.
⭐ What our star ratings mean
Companies with 5 stars are exceptional, with strong financials, diverse policy lineups and great reputations for customer service.
Companies with 4.5 stars are excellent, with solid financials and policy offerings, and good customer service track records.
Companies with 4.0 stars are good, and potentially great for people looking for niche coverage options.
Companies with 3.5 stars or fewer could do better in certain categories, like financial strength and customer complaints.
NerdWallet does not receive compensation for our star ratings or our reviews. Read more about our life insurance ratings methodology and editorial guidelines.
