Compare over 50 life insurance
A closer look at the plans from the top-selling providers
When buying over 50 life insurance it’s important to feel you’ve made the right choice. We’ve outlined some of the key things to consider and compared plans from some of the UK’s most popular active providers.
What to consider when comparing plans
Over 50s life cover is known as a whole of life plan, because unlike most forms of life insurance, over 50s cover offers you protection for your whole life. You pay a little each month, and when you die your payout is guaranteed. Depending on which provider you choose, if you stop making payments, your cover may end and you might not get anything back.
What’s more, for most providers there usually aren’t any medical questions, so you’re guaranteed to be accepted if you fall within the right age bracket.
Providers of over 50s life insurance have different features, for example some offer guaranteed acceptance until aged 85, but others stop at aged 80. These things are worth comparing and considering before you make your choice.
Here are the most popular providers of guaranteed acceptance over 50s life insurance plans in the UK, and the plans we are comparing:
- SunLife’s Guaranteed Over 50 Plan (provided by Phoenix Life Limited)
- British Seniors’ Over 50s Life Insurance (provided by Aviva Life and Pensions UK Limited)
- Post Office Over 50s Life Cover (provided by Aviva Life and Pensions UK Limited)
- OneFamily's Over 50s Life Cover (provided by OneFamily)
- National Friendly Over 50s Life Cover (provided by National Friendly)
Source: Swiss Re, Term & Health Watch 2026.
Compare over 50s insurance
See how the most popular over 50s life insurance providers compare. For full features and details, please refer to each provider.
| Provider |  |
British Seniors | Post Office | OneFamily | National Friendly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Policies start between | 49–85 years old | 50–80 years old | 50–80 years old | 50–80 years old | 50–80 years old (50–75 for smokers) |
| Max cover* | £18,000 | £10,000 | £10,000 | £20,000 | Personalised quote required |
| Defaqto rating | 5 Star | 3 Star | 4 Star | 5 Star | 2 Star |
| Full life cover available after | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 2 years | 6 months to 2 years** |
| Quote and apply online |  |
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Competitor information correct as of August 2026 and checked every three months. Provider rankings are from Swiss Re, Term & Health Watch 2026.
*Maximum cover depends on your age and smoker status, so it may differ from the amounts shown here. National Friendly does not publish a maximum cover amount. The payout is calculated using factors including monthly premium, age and answers to optional medical questions.
**National Friendly’s standard qualifying period is two years. Customers who answer medical questions may be offered a six-month qualifying period.
Or call free on 0800 904 7674 (Mon–Fri: 8am–6pm, Sat: 9am–4pm, Sun: Closed)
What to consider when comparing over 50s life insurance
How much will be paid out?
Different providers will offer slightly different payouts for the same monthly premiums, so it’s important to check that you’re happy with the amount offered. You may want to talk with your loved ones about how you see the money being used, to help decide how much cover you’d like.
Most providers give you the option to add additional plans in the future to increase your final payout. If this is something you think you’d be interested in, be sure to compare the maximum payouts available.
| Provider | |
British Seniors | Post Office | OneFamily | National Friendly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max cover* | £18,000 | £10,000 | £10,000 | £20,000 | Personalised quote required |
*Maximum cover depends on your age and smoker status, so it may differ from the amounts shown here. National Friendly does not publish a maximum cover amount. The payout is calculated using factors including monthly premium, age and answers to optional medical questions.
Are there any additional bonuses or welcome gifts?
Many providers offer a welcome gift for new customers. Of course, these incentives should never be the reason for choosing a certain plan. But it still might be worth comparing when making your choice. Welcome gifts are updated regularly and often only become available after a few months of paying premiums.
| Provider | |
British Seniors | Post Office | OneFamily | National Friendly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome gift | |
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Making a decision
Choosing over 50s life insurance is a big decision – and you should never feel pressured into making a choice before you’re ready. If you’d like to find out more about SunLife’s Guaranteed Over 50 Plan, you can get a free, no-obligation quote online, or by calling our friendly team.
Or call free on 0800 904 7674 (Mon–Fri: 8am–6pm, Sat: 9am–4pm, Sun: Closed)