Decreasing Term Life Insurance
(And how you can get started today)
Written by
More than seven million people visit our site every year looking for unbiased information about insurance and other related topics. And with great readership comes great responsibility, which means we’re dedicated to providing honest and accurate information.
Is a Decreasing Term Life Insurance Right for You?
Every individual has a specific need for life insurance. Some people want a policy to cover their family's anticipated cost of living, including mortgage payments and college tuition, while others might have less of a need for life insurance down the road.
A term life insurance policy where the death benefits decrease over the life of the policy may be the ideal life insurance solution for you.
Every insurer has specific types of life insurance policies they specialize in, so make sure you’re making your search efficient and effective by contacting an independent agent in our network. Find an independent agent today to discuss decreasing term life insurance quotes and get the right coverage for your needs.
Save on Life Insurance
Our independent agents shop around to find you the best coverage.
Mortality Statistics in the U.S.
- In recent years, there were 2,468,435 reported deaths in the U.S.
- The average death rate in recent years was 799.5 per 100,000 people
- The average life span expectancy rate for both genders is 78.7 years
What Is Decreasing Term Life Insurance?
Decreasing term life insurance is a life insurance option where the death benefits decrease on either a monthly or annual basis over the life of the policy. These policies are available with fixed premiums for terms ranging from 1 to 30 years.
Because the death benefits decrease over time, these policies tend to be more affordable than a standard term life insurance policy.
What Is Decreasing Term Mortgage Life Insurance?
A decreasing term mortgage policy can help you pay off your mortgage because the death benefits are specifically designed to decrease as you pay down the principal. A decreasing term mortgage life insurance policy specifically covers the outstanding balance on a mortgage.
The death benefits reduce at a set rate, either monthly or annually, over the term you purchase. This type of plan is ideal for providing sufficient death benefits to cover the outstanding balance on your mortgage to avoid leaving a burden of debt for your survivors.
Note that if you want to have the ability to name your own beneficiaries on a policy, this may not be the term life insurance policy for you. A mortgage life insurance policy is sold by your mortgage lender, so the lender will typically be named as the beneficiary.
By contrast, you will be able to choose your own beneficiary on a decreasing term life insurance policy.
Who Should Buy Decreasing Term Life Insurance?
Decreasing term life insurance may be suitable for you under the following circumstances:
- You want life insurance to cover your mortgage only. As you pay down the balance on the mortgage, the decreasing term life policy death benefits will decrease accordingly.
- You anticipate your need for life insurance will diminish in your later years. For example, if your kids are heading into college and beyond, you may see less of a need for life insurance on the horizon, in which case decreasing term policy might be a smart purchase.
- You are buying life insurance to cover personal or business loans and want your coverage to decrease as you pay off your debt.
Save on Life Insurance
Our independent agents shop around to find you the best coverage.
How to Decide if Decreasing Term Life Insurance Is Right for You
Decreasing term life may not be for you if you have a spouse or dependents who rely on your income. For example, if your kids are growing up and won't need your support much longer, you may be considering decreasing term life insurance.
However, if your spouse will continue to have an ongoing need for your support, this may not be the best choice. Be sure to consider your spouse's life expenses, mortgage payments and retirement.
To get the help you need to assess the best life insurance for your specific circumstances, speak with a local independent life insurance agent in the Trusted Choice network. These agents have access to numerous life insurance companies and options, and can compare policies and help you find the right coverage for your needs and budget.
Contact an independent agent today to find the most suitable life insurance policy for you.