What is over 50s life insurance?
Over 50s life insurance guarantees a cash payout for your loved ones when you die. You make an affordable payment each month that never rises, and the money can be used to cover funeral costs, or anything you wish.
Our plan is available to anyone aged 49-85. There's no medical, and you can choose a monthly payment and payout that suits you.
How over 50s life insurance works
It's very simple – just one monthly payment that never rises, and a cash lump sum when you die. And it’s affordable life insurance, too. When you get a quote you can choose how much you want to pay, starting from just £3.70 a month. And you'll be able to see exactly how much your payout will be.
It's quick and simple to set up your plan online or over the phone. Our friendly team can have everything sorted for you in minutes.
Once your over 50s life policy is in place, your payout is guaranteed as long as you keep up with your monthly payments. When the time comes, the money is guaranteed to be paid to your loved ones. They'll be supported throughout the claims process and they'll receive their money fast – usually in 1-3 days.
Prefer to speak to someone? Give our friendly UK-based team a call on 0800 904 7674 8am-8pm, Mon-Sat
Proud to be the nation's favourite, proud to be highly rated by our customers and proud to support the British Heart Foundation.
Why choose SunLife for over 50s insurance?
SunLife's over 50s plan is the most trusted in the UK – more people choose our plan than every other provider put together.
We like to keep things simple – just easy, affordable over 50s life cover and the friendliest service we can give. Our customers like the lifelong peace of mind that comes from knowing we pay every single claim, guaranteed. And we pay out fast too – usually within 3 days.
What’s more, SunLife has been supporting families around the UK for over 200 years. No wonder we’re the nation’s favourite over 50s life insurance company.
Compare over 50s life insurance
See how SunLife's Guaranteed Over 50 Plan – the UK's favourite – compares with the over 50s plans of less popular providers.
Over 50s plan comparison table
Use the comparison calculator below to see how SunLife’s Guaranteed Over 50 Plan compares with the over 50 plans of less popular providers:
Comparing over 50s plans from other popular providers
The UK’s most popular over 50s plan  |
The UK’s second most popular provider | The UK’s third most popular provider | The UK’s fourth most popular provider | |
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| Guaranteed cash payout can be over £10,000: |  |
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| Guaranteed acceptance up to age 85: | |
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| Option to stop paying before age 90 (with full payout): | |
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| Free funeral benefit option: | |
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| Chance to win £10,000 every other month: | |
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Information correct as at April 2022. Checked every three months. Provider rankings from Swiss Re Term & Health Watch 2021.
For full details about all the providers in our comparison table, compare over 50s plans here.
Prefer to speak to someone? Give our friendly UK-based team a call on 0800 904 7674 8am-8pm, Mon-Sat
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Prefer to speak to someone? Give our friendly UK-based team a call on 0800 904 7674 8am-8pm, Mon-Sat
How much could you leave for your loved ones?
Calculate your cover online or speak to our friendly team on 0800 904 7674
Over 50s life insurance calculator
The payout your loved ones will get depends on your age at the time you take out your over 50s life insurance plan, and on what monthly payment you choose. As a guide, here are the payouts at various ages a non-smoker can get for £19.99 a month:
| Age: | 50 | 55 | 60 | 65 | 70 | 75 | 80 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payout: | £5,993 | £5,252 | £4,668 | £3,862 | £2,923 | £2,072 | £1,491 |
| Age | Payout |
|---|---|
| 50 | £6,116 |
| 55 | £5,361 |
| 60 | £4,764 |
| 65 | £3,941 |
| 70 | £2,983 |
| 75 | £2,115 |
| 80 | £1,522 |
Payouts for new customers who are non-smokers. Correct as at March 2022. For a premium of £19.99 call free on 0800 904 7674.
Prefer to speak to someone? Give our friendly UK-based team a call on 0800 904 7674 8am-8pm, Mon-Sat
Is over 50s life insurance right for you?
A quick quiz to help you understand if over 50s cover may be the best life insurance option for you.
Find the right plan for you with the SunLife cover quiz
Do you want your payout to cover the cost of your funeral?
Yes
Either in full or partially
Would you prefer a cremation or a burial?
A burial
Burials are usually more expensive
Where do you live?
This is so we can tell you how much a funeral costs in your area
£4,355 Average basic burial costs in Wales
This usually includes the fees for the cremation or burial, doctor, funeral director, and minister or celebrant.We have two plans that may work for you:
Our Guaranteed Over 50 Plan
Get an over 50s plan quoteOur Guaranteed Funeral Plan
Get a funeral plan quote
£4,765 Average basic burial costs in the East & West Midlands
This usually includes the fees for the cremation or burial, doctor, funeral director, and minister or celebrant.We have two plans that may work for you:
Our Guaranteed Over 50 Plan
Get an over 50s plan quoteOur Guaranteed Funeral Plan
Get a funeral plan quote
£8,306 Average basic burial costs in London
This usually includes the fees for the cremation or burial, doctor, funeral director, and minister or celebrant.We have two plans that may work for you:
Our Guaranteed Over 50 Plan
Get an over 50s plan quoteOur Guaranteed Funeral Plan
Get a funeral plan quote
£4,587 Average basic burial costs in North East England
This usually includes the fees for the cremation or burial, doctor, funeral director, and minister or celebrant.We have two plans that may work for you:
Our Guaranteed Over 50 Plan
Get an over 50s plan quoteOur Guaranteed Funeral Plan
Get a funeral plan quote
£5,595 Average basic burial costs in the South East & East of England
This usually includes the fees for the cremation or burial, doctor, funeral director, and minister or celebrant.We have two plans that may work for you:
Our Guaranteed Over 50 Plan
Get an over 50s plan quoteOur Guaranteed Funeral Plan
Get a funeral plan quote
£4,348 Average basic burial costs in North West England
This usually includes the fees for the cremation or burial, doctor, funeral director, and minister or celebrant.We have two plans that may work for you:
Our Guaranteed Over 50 Plan
Get an over 50s plan quoteOur Guaranteed Funeral Plan
Get a funeral plan quote
£2,947 Average basic burial costs in Northern Ireland
This usually includes the fees for the cremation or burial, doctor, funeral director, and minister or celebrant.We have two plans that may work for you:
Our Guaranteed Over 50 Plan
Get an over 50s plan quoteOur Guaranteed Funeral Plan
Get a funeral plan quote
£4,742 Average basic burial costs in Scotland
This usually includes the fees for the cremation or burial, doctor, funeral director, and minister or celebrant.We have two plans that may work for you:
Our Guaranteed Over 50 Plan
Get an over 50s plan quoteOur Guaranteed Funeral Plan
Get a funeral plan quote
£5,172 Average basic burial costs in Yorkshire & the Humber
This usually includes the fees for the cremation or burial, doctor, funeral director, and minister or celebrant.We have two plans that may work for you:
Our Guaranteed Over 50 Plan
Get an over 50s plan quoteOur Guaranteed Funeral Plan
Get a funeral plan quote
£4,452 Average basic burial costs in South West England
This usually includes the fees for the cremation or burial, doctor, funeral director, and minister or celebrant.We have two plans that may work for you:
Our Guaranteed Over 50 Plan
Get an over 50s plan quoteOur Guaranteed Funeral Plan
Get a funeral plan quote
A cremation
Cremations are often more affordable
Where do you live?
This is so we can tell you how much a funeral costs in your area
£3,269 Average basic cremation costs in Wales
This usually includes the fees for the cremation or burial, doctor, funeral director, and minister or celebrant.We have two plans that may work for you:
Our Guaranteed Over 50 Plan
Get an over 50s plan quoteOur Guaranteed Funeral Plan
Get a funeral plan quote
£3,667 Average basic cremation costs in the East & West Midlands
This usually includes the fees for the cremation or burial, doctor, funeral director, and minister or celebrant.We have two plans that may work for you:
Our Guaranteed Over 50 Plan
Get an over 50s plan quoteOur Guaranteed Funeral Plan
Get a funeral plan quote
£4,365 Average basic cremation costs in London
This usually includes the fees for the cremation or burial, doctor, funeral director, and minister or celebrant.We have two plans that may work for you:
Our Guaranteed Over 50 Plan
Get an over 50s plan quoteOur Guaranteed Funeral Plan
Get a funeral plan quote
£3,691 Average basic cremation costs in North East England
This usually includes the fees for the cremation or burial, doctor, funeral director, and minister or celebrant.We have two plans that may work for you:
Our Guaranteed Over 50 Plan
Get an over 50s plan quoteOur Guaranteed Funeral Plan
Get a funeral plan quote
£4,569 Average basic cremation costs in the South East & East of England
This usually includes the fees for the cremation or burial, doctor, funeral director, and minister or celebrant.We have two plans that may work for you:
Our Guaranteed Over 50 Plan
Get an over 50s plan quoteOur Guaranteed Funeral Plan
Get a funeral plan quote
£3,670 Average basic cremation costs in North West England
This usually includes the fees for the cremation or burial, doctor, funeral director, and minister or celebrant.We have two plans that may work for you:
Our Guaranteed Over 50 Plan
Get an over 50s plan quoteOur Guaranteed Funeral Plan
Get a funeral plan quote
£3,092 Average basic cremation costs in Northern Ireland
This usually includes the fees for the cremation or burial, doctor, funeral director, and minister or celebrant.We have two plans that may work for you:
Our Guaranteed Over 50 Plan
Get an over 50s plan quoteOur Guaranteed Funeral Plan
Get a funeral plan quote
£3,584 Average basic cremation costs in Scotland
This usually includes the fees for the cremation or burial, doctor, funeral director, and minister or celebrant.We have two plans that may work for you:
Our Guaranteed Over 50 Plan
Get an over 50s plan quoteOur Guaranteed Funeral Plan
Get a funeral plan quote
£4,011 Average basic cremation costs in Yorkshire & the Humber
This usually includes the fees for the cremation or burial, doctor, funeral director, and minister or celebrant.We have two plans that may work for you:
Our Guaranteed Over 50 Plan
Get an over 50s plan quoteOur Guaranteed Funeral Plan
Get a funeral plan quote
£3,726 Average basic cremation costs in South West England
This usually includes the fees for the cremation or burial, doctor, funeral director, and minister or celebrant.We have two plans that may work for you:
Our Guaranteed Over 50 Plan
Get an over 50s plan quoteOur Guaranteed Funeral Plan
Get a funeral plan quote
Not necessarily
I'd like my loved ones to be able to use it as they wish
Something else
Such as paying off debts, or leaving money to charity
How much cover do I need?
Most people take out around £4,000 of coverage, but it may help to know that the average cost of a funeral in the UK is £4,056.
Choosing the right amount of cover.
How much life cover you need when you're over 50 depends on what you would like your payout to be used for.
The average cash payout chosen by SunLife customers is around £4,000. Some intend for their payout to go towards their funeral expenses, but others just want their loved ones to have a lump sum when they're gone. The great thing is, the money can be used for anything.
Using your payout to cover funeral costs
If you'd like your plan to take care of your funeral costs, it's helpful to know that the average cost of a funeral in the UK is £4,056. This is based on leading research we run every year on the cost of dying, when we use the cost of both burials and cremations from across the UK to get an accurate figure.
You can find out more about burial and cremation costs where you live in our Cost of Dying report.
Claim your free over 50s life insurance guide
Get all you need to know about life insurance for over 50s in an easy, printable format. Claim your free guide today.
Watch Carol explain over 50s life cover
Carol explains over 50s life cover in under two minutes. Or you can read the transcript.
To help protect your family from funeral costs or leave them a cash gift when you die, you may be thinking about over 50s life cover.
SunLife is a name you know, not a newcomer with no track record.
SunLife pays every single claim. No wonder SunLife is the market leader.
Choose SunLife today and as a thank you, you’ll also get a welcome gift card.
Important to know
- You're only covered after you've had the plan for one year. If you die after the first year of your plan, the full cash sum will be paid to your loved ones.
- If you stop paying your premiums, your insurance will end, and you won't get anything back.
- Depending on how long you live for, you could pay in more than is paid out.
- Because the cash sum is fixed, inflation will reduce its buying power over time.
- For full product details, read our Terms & Conditions.
More on over 50s plan features and options
How you're protected with Accidental Death Benefit
What is Accidental Death Benefit
Accidental Death Benefit means that if you die from an accident or as a result of your injuries within the first year of your policy, you’re still covered, and we’ll give your loved ones the full payout.
During the first year of your SunLife policy (called a moratorium period) accidental death benefit offers an extra layer of protection in case of the unexpected. The moratorium period can differ from provider to provider, and some won’t provide accidental death benefit at all so it’s a good idea to check before taking out a policy.
Claim an extra £250 with the Funeral Benefit Option
What is the Funeral Benefit Option?
You can choose to add Funeral Benefit Option to your Guaranteed Over 50 Plan at no extra cost. It offers an extra £250 to contribute towards your funeral.
When you pass away, your cash sum will be sent directly to Dignity Funerals Limited. Dignity are one of the UK’s best-known funeral companies, with over 800 funeral directors around the UK, so they could be just on your high street.
There is no commitment, and nothing is arranged in advance – so your loved ones have full control of the funeral planning when the time comes.
If your family do choose a Dignity Funeral, one of their local funeral directors will help with any arrangements, and Dignity will put £250 towards the cost of your funeral.
Please note that Funeral Benefit Option excludes direct cremations.
What is over 60s life insurance
Over 60s life insurance
Over 60s life insurance is the same as over 50s life insurance. That’s why you won’t often see it advertised. Whether you’re over 50, 60 or 70, you can apply for SunLife Guaranteed Over 50 Plan if you’re a UK resident. If you’d like to know more, read our guide on reasons to consider over 60 life insurance.
Over 50s plan eligibility and documents
Are you eligible for over 50 life insurance?
To apply for SunLife’s Guaranteed Over 50 Plan you need to be:
Remember, we guarantee to accept you and there will be no medical questions.
Already a customer? Get help here
How to make a claim
Here's how to make a claim or register a death
How to make a change
If you need to make a change to your details or your plan
Top up your plan
Increase your payout with another plan – and even better rates
Answers to your questions
Sources and Information
1. Most Trusted/UK's Favourite - Source: Association British Insurers statistics.
2. Gift card – sent after six months premiums paid. SunLife reserves the right to change, stop or limit this offer at any time. Terms & Conditions apply.
3. Guaranteed Acceptance - is for UK residents aged 50-85.
4. 98% claims are paid within 3 working days – 12 months to March 2020.
5. 86p a week – equivalent to £3.70 a month, our lowest premium. Premiums are paid monthly.
6. Funeral costs – are based on the average of the cost of a burial and the cost of a cremation in the UK. SunLife Cost of Dying report January 2022.
7. British Heart Foundation – SunLife will pay £1 from the first payment of every plan to the British Heart Foundation, Registered Charity Number: 2259717 (England and Wales) and SC039426 (Scotland).
8. SunLife is highly rated for customer experience on Feefo and Trustpilot.
9. Guaranteed Over 50 Plan details (including 100% claims paid) - Full T&Cs apply
For additional verifications please visit the verify page.
Legal and regulatory information
Not all products are available outside of mainland UK, please call us to discuss if you have any queries.
This website contains information on how the SunLife Guaranteed Over 50 Plan works. This website does not contain advice, so you need to be satisfied this type of policy meets your needs. If you are unsure and need advice, please visit unbiased.co.uk to find an Independent Financial Adviser in your area (you may have to pay for the financial advice provided). If you have any questions about the plan, you can call our UK team on 0800 904 7674.
Who are SunLife and who provides the SunLife Guaranteed Over 50 Plans?
SunLife Limited distributes financial products and services. Registered office: 1 Wythall Green Way, Wythall, Birmingham, B47 6WG, United Kingdom. Registered in England and Wales, number 05460862. SunLife Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is entered on the Financial Services Register (reference number: 769427).
Phoenix Life Limited trades as SunLife and is the provider of the SunLife Guaranteed Over 50 Plan life insurance policies. Phoenix Life Limited’s registered office is at 1 Wythall Green Way, Wythall, Birmingham, B47 6WG, United Kingdom. Registered in England and Wales, number 1016269. Phoenix Life Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (reference number: 110418).
Who provides the Funeral Benefit Option?
If you choose to add Funeral Benefit Option to your Guaranteed Over 50 Plan, Dignity Funerals Ltd arranges and provides the funeral services, registered office: 4 King Edwards Court, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B73 6AP, United Kingdom. Registered in England and Wales, number 00041598. Dignity Funerals Ltd is a member of the National Association of Funeral Directors.