How long should my term life policy be?
Cover the years people depend on you. Answer three questions and we will suggest a term.
We pick the longest of: until your youngest turns 22, until the mortgage is paid, and until you stop working. Then we round up to a term companies sell. A rule of thumb, not advice.
How this term length calculator works
Most families need coverage for the years when someone depends on their paycheck. The three big ones are raising kids, paying the mortgage, and working until retirement.
We look at all three and take the longest. Then we round up to a term length companies sell: 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 years. Rounding up keeps you from running out of coverage a year or two early.
Many companies stop selling long terms at older ages. If you are over 50, a 30 year term may not be offered. A 15 or 20 year term, or a mix of two policies, can fill the gap.
Common questions
Can I mix two term lengths?
Yes. Some people buy a 30 year policy for the mortgage and a 20 year policy for the kids. When the 20 year ends, the bills it covered are gone too.
What if I pick too short a term?
Many term policies can be renewed or converted, but the price usually goes up. It is often cheaper to pick the right length at the start.
Does a longer term cost more?
Usually, yes. You lock in a price for more years, so each month costs a bit more.
See your price in 2 minutes
Two minutes, a few questions, and a licensed agent shows you what it really costs. No exam needed for many plans.
About 3 in 4 people guess life insurance costs more than it does. LIMRA 2026