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$250,000 Term Life Insurance Cost: Monthly Premium Guide

A $250,000 term life insurance policy costs between $12 and $35 per month for healthy non-smokers aged 25-45, making it one of the most affordable options for providing financial protection to your family. Those aged 50-60 pay $50-$95 monthly, while applicants over 60 face premiums ranging from $120-$260 per month.

This coverage amount provides enough death benefit to pay off moderate debts, cover funeral expenses, and replace several years of income—all for less than the cost of a monthly streaming service subscription for most young adults.

What Does $250,000 Term Life Insurance Cost Monthly?

Monthly premiums for $250,000 in term life coverage depend primarily on your age, gender, health status, and the length of term you select. Here are the average costs healthy non-smokers pay in 2025.

20-Year Term Rates for $250,000 Coverage

Male Monthly Premiums:

Age 25: $13/month ($156 annually)
Age 30: $15/month ($180 annually)
Age 35: $18/month ($216 annually)
Age 40: $26/month ($312 annually)
Age 45: $38/month ($456 annually)
Age 50: $56/month ($672 annually)
Age 55: $95/month ($1,140 annually)
Age 60: $156/month ($1,872 annually)
Age 65: $262/month ($3,144 annually)

Female Monthly Premiums:

Age 25: $11/month ($132 annually)
Age 30: $13/month ($156 annually)
Age 35: $15/month ($180 annually)
Age 40: $21/month ($252 annually)
Age 45: $32/month ($384 annually)
Age 50: $46/month ($552 annually)
Age 55: $76/month ($912 annually)
Age 60: $122/month ($1,464 annually)
Age 65: $198/month ($2,376 annually)

These rates represent “Preferred Plus” health classifications from highly-rated insurance carriers. Your actual monthly cost depends on your specific health profile, lifestyle choices, and which insurance company underwrites your policy.

Term Length Impact on Monthly Premiums

The length of your policy term significantly affects your monthly payment. Longer terms cost more per month but lock in your rate for extended periods.

Age/Gender	10-Year Term	20-Year Term	30-Year Term
30M	$11/month	$15/month	$21/month
30F	$9/month	$13/month	$18/month
40M	$18/month	$26/month	$40/month
40F	$14/month	$21/month	$32/month
50M	$40/month	$56/month	$102/month
50F	$32/month	$46/month	$80/month

A 10-year term provides the lowest monthly cost but requires reapplication at higher premiums if you need coverage beyond the initial decade. A 30-year term costs significantly more monthly but guarantees your rate through three decades of potential health changes and aging.

According to American Council of Life Insurers data, 20-year term policies represent the most purchased term length, offering the best balance between affordable monthly payments and adequate coverage duration for most families.

Factors That Determine Your $250,000 Life Insurance Monthly Cost

Understanding what insurance companies evaluate during underwriting helps you anticipate your monthly premium and identify opportunities to qualify for lower rates.

How Age Affects Your Monthly Premium

Age represents the most significant factor in determining your monthly life insurance cost. Insurance companies base premiums on mortality tables showing your statistical likelihood of death during the policy term.

Premiums increase approximately 8-12% with each birthday for applicants under age 50. After 50, the annual increase accelerates to 15-20% per year as mortality risk rises more steeply.

Monthly premium progression for males ($250,000, 20-year term):

Age 30: $15/month
Age 35: $18/month (20% increase)
Age 40: $26/month (44% increase from age 35)
Age 45: $38/month (46% increase from age 40)
Age 50: $56/month (47% increase from age 45)

Waiting just five years from age 35 to age 40 increases your total 20-year cost by $1,920—from $4,320 to $6,240. This compounding effect makes purchasing coverage as early as possible financially advantageous.

Gender-Based Premium Differences

Women consistently pay 20-30% less than men for identical life insurance coverage. This pricing difference reflects actuarial data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing women live an average of five years longer than men.

Monthly premium comparison ($250,000, 20-year term):

40-year-old male: $26/month
40-year-old female: $21/month
Female saves: $1,200 over 20 years
50-year-old male: $56/month
50-year-old female: $46/month
Female saves: $2,400 over 20 years

This gender gap exists across all age groups and term lengths. The longer your policy term, the more total dollars you save or pay based on gender classification.

Health Classification Tiers

Insurance companies categorize applicants into health classes that directly determine your monthly premium tier. Better health classifications result in substantially lower monthly costs.

Preferred Plus (Super Preferred): Reserved for applicants in exceptional health with ideal body mass index, no tobacco use, blood pressure below 130/80, total cholesterol below 200, no family history of premature death, and no adverse medical history. Approximately 10-15% of applicants qualify for this best rate class.

Preferred: Applicants in very good health with minor, well-managed conditions. Slightly elevated cholesterol (200-220) or blood pressure (130-140/80-90) may still qualify. About 25-30% of applicants receive this classification.

Standard Plus: Applicants with some health concerns including borderline obesity (BMI 28-31), controlled pre-diabetes, family history of serious conditions, or previous minor health events. Roughly 20-25% of applicants fall into this category.

Standard: Average health with significant concerns such as obesity (BMI 32+), controlled diabetes, history of depression, or past serious health events. Approximately 30-40% of applicants receive standard rates.

Monthly premium by health class (40-year-old male, $250,000, 20-year term):

Preferred Plus: $26/month
Preferred: $30/month (15% higher)
Standard Plus: $36/month (38% higher)
Standard: $42/month (62% higher)

Moving from Standard to Preferred Plus classification saves $3,840 over a 20-year term—a substantial financial benefit for improving your health before applying.

Smoking and Tobacco Use Impact

Tobacco users pay 200-350% more than non-smokers for term life insurance. Insurance companies define tobacco use broadly, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, nicotine replacement products, and vaping devices.

Monthly cost comparison (35-year-old male, $250,000, 20-year term):

Non-smoker Preferred Plus: $18/month
Smoker Standard: $62/month
Additional tobacco cost: $10,560 over 20 years

Most insurance carriers require 12-24 months of complete tobacco cessation before qualifying for non-smoker rates. Medical exams include cotinine testing that detects nicotine metabolites from any tobacco use within the previous 3-5 days.

Some carriers offer limited cigar smoker exceptions for those who smoke 12 or fewer cigars annually. However, regular cigar use (monthly or more frequent) typically results in smoker classification.

Medical Conditions and Health History

Specific health conditions affect your monthly premium differently based on severity, management quality, and time since diagnosis or treatment.

Diabetes: Well-controlled Type 2 diabetes with HbA1c levels below 7.0 typically adds 75-150% to base premiums. A 45-year-old male might pay $38/month as a non-diabetic but $66-95/month with controlled diabetes.

High Blood Pressure: Controlled hypertension with readings below 140/90 on medication usually results in Standard or Standard Plus rates. Uncontrolled hypertension above 160/100 may result in application postponement until readings improve.

Heart Disease: Previous heart attacks typically require 3-5 years of recovery with stable cardiac testing before approval. Well-managed conditions may qualify for substandard rates starting at 150-200% of standard premiums.

Cancer History: Most applicants need 2-5 years cancer-free depending on cancer type and stage. Early-stage breast cancer might qualify after 2-3 years, while more aggressive cancers require 5+ years before consideration.

Mental Health: Controlled anxiety or depression with stable medication rarely affects premiums significantly. Recent hospitalizations for mental health crises typically result in 12-24 month postponement of applications.

How to Lower Your $250,000 Term Life Insurance Monthly Cost

Strategic approaches to shopping, applying, and timing your purchase can reduce your monthly premium by 30-50% without reducing coverage quality.

Compare Quotes from Multiple Insurance Companies

Monthly premiums for identical coverage vary significantly between insurance carriers. The same 40-year-old male might receive quotes ranging from $24 to $34 monthly for $250,000 in 20-year coverage—a difference of $2,400 over the full term.

Top-rated carriers for competitive term rates:

Haven Life (MassMutual)
Banner Life
Pacific Life
Protective Life
Principal Financial
Prudential
Lincoln Financial
SBLI

Independent insurance brokers access 15-30 carriers simultaneously, comparing rates and underwriting guidelines to identify which companies offer the best pricing for your specific health profile and age.

Different carriers specialize in different risk profiles. One company might offer excellent rates for diabetics while another specializes in applicants with elevated cholesterol. Brokers understand these nuances and match you with carriers most likely to offer favorable underwriting.

Improve Your Health Before Applying

Small health improvements before your medical exam can move you into a better rate class, potentially reducing your monthly cost by 20-40%.

Pre-application health optimization strategies:

Weight loss: Losing 10-20 pounds improves your body mass index and often improves cholesterol and blood pressure readings. A 45-year-old male with BMI of 32 might pay $52/month for Standard rates. Reducing BMI to 29 could qualify him for Standard Plus at $42/month, saving $2,400 over 20 years.

Blood pressure management: Exercise regularly for 4-6 weeks before your exam. Reduce sodium intake below 2,000mg daily. Consider scheduling your exam for early morning when blood pressure typically runs lowest. Avoid caffeine on exam day.

Cholesterol improvement: Reduce saturated fat intake and increase fiber consumption. Add 30 minutes of daily cardiovascular exercise. Some applicants see 20-30 point cholesterol reductions within 6-8 weeks of lifestyle changes.

Exam day preparation: Fast for 8-12 hours before blood work. Avoid alcohol for 48 hours prior to testing. Get adequate sleep the night before. Don’t exercise strenuously within 24 hours of your exam. Stay well-hydrated.

Select the Appropriate Term Length

Choosing the right term length balances monthly affordability with adequate coverage duration. Shorter terms offer lower monthly costs but may force expensive reapplication if you need coverage beyond the initial term.

Decision framework by life stage:

Ages 25-35: Consider 30-year terms to lock in your young age and excellent health through your peak earning and family-raising years. The monthly premium difference between 20-year and 30-year terms is minimal at these ages.

Ages 35-45: Twenty-year terms typically provide optimal value, covering you through your children’s college years while maintaining affordable monthly costs.

Ages 45-55: Evaluate whether 10-year or 20-year terms better match your timeline to retirement and debt payoff. Monthly savings from shorter terms can be substantial at these ages.

Ages 55+: Consider 10-year terms for specific needs like final mortgage payments or bridge coverage until retirement assets accumulate. Monthly costs for 20-year terms become prohibitively expensive after age 55.

Consider Annual Premium Payment

Many insurance carriers offer 3-8% discounts when you pay your annual premium upfront rather than making monthly payments. On a $30 monthly premium ($360 annually), annual payment saves approximately $11-29 per year.

The discount exists because insurance companies avoid monthly payment processing costs and reduce the risk of policy lapses from missed payments. If your cash flow accommodates annual payments, this simple strategy reduces your total cost over the policy term.

Apply Before Your Next Birthday

Life insurance premiums are based on your age at policy issuance. Applying even one month before your birthday locks in your younger age for the entire policy term.

A 39-year-old paying $25/month who waits until after their 40th birthday will pay approximately $26/month—adding $240 over 20 years. More significantly, this pattern repeats with each birthday, compounding the cost of delay.

If you’re within 3-6 months of a birthday, prioritize completing your application and medical exam before that date to secure your current age-based rate.

Quit Tobacco Products

If you currently use tobacco, quitting provides the single largest premium reduction available. After 12-24 months tobacco-free (depending on carrier requirements), you can request non-smoker reclassification.

A 40-year-old male smoker paying $88/month who quits tobacco and reapplies after 24 months as a non-smoker pays approximately $26/month—saving $14,880 over the remaining 18 years of a 20-year term.

Most carriers allow you to apply for non-smoker reclassification without purchasing an entirely new policy, though you’ll need to complete another medical exam including cotinine testing to verify tobacco cessation.

Is $250,000 Enough Life Insurance Coverage?

Whether $250,000 provides adequate protection depends on your specific financial obligations, family structure, income level, and existing assets.

When $250,000 Provides Sufficient Coverage

This coverage amount works well in several situations:

Supplemental coverage: If you carry $250,000-500,000 in group term life insurance through your employer, adding $250,000 in personal coverage creates total protection of $500,000-750,000. Personal coverage remains in force if you change jobs, providing stability your employer coverage lacks.

Final expense and debt coverage: Singles or couples without dependents often need coverage primarily for funeral expenses ($10,000-15,000), credit card debt ($5,000-20,000), and perhaps a small mortgage or car loan. $250,000 handles these obligations with funds remaining for transition expenses.

Young professionals with limited obligations: Early in your career without children, $250,000 provides meaningful protection at minimal monthly cost. As your financial obligations grow, you can add additional coverage layers.

Older adults with grown children: If your children are financially independent, your mortgage is paid, and you’ve accumulated retirement savings, $250,000 may adequately cover remaining debts and final expenses.

According to research from LIMRA, the average American carries approximately $178,000 in life insurance coverage across all policy types, suggesting $250,000 exceeds typical protection levels.

When You Need More Than $250,000

Consider higher coverage amounts in these situations:

You’re the primary earner with dependents: Financial advisors recommend coverage equal to 10-12 times your annual income. Someone earning $50,000 annually needs $500,000-600,000 in coverage. At $75,000 annual income, you need $750,000-900,000.

You have young children: Each child represents approximately $100,000-150,000 in expenses through college graduation. Two children require $200,000-300,000, leaving minimal death benefit from $250,000 coverage for ongoing household expenses.

You carry substantial debt: A $300,000 mortgage plus $30,000 in other debts consumes $330,000 of your death benefit, leaving only $20,000 for income replacement and transition costs—inadequate for most families.

You have special circumstances: Business partners often need coverage for buy-sell agreement funding. Stay-at-home parents provide childcare and household management worth $40,000-60,000 annually in replacement costs. Special needs dependents require substantially more coverage for lifetime care funding.

The income replacement calculation: Your family needs approximately 60-70% of your current income to maintain their living standard after your death. Social Security survivor benefits replace about 35-40% of average earnings for families with children. Your life insurance should bridge this gap for 10-15 years or until major expenses like college complete.

Common Questions About $250,000 Term Life Insurance Monthly Costs

What is the average monthly cost for $250,000 term life insurance?

The average monthly cost for $250,000 in term life insurance is $12-18 for healthy non-smokers aged 25-35, $21-38 for ages 40-45, and $46-95 for ages 50-55. Women pay approximately 20% less than men at all age groups due to longer life expectancy statistics.

Your specific monthly premium depends on your exact age, gender, health classification, tobacco use, policy term length, and which insurance carrier underwrites your coverage. A 30-year-old female non-smoker in excellent health pays approximately $13 monthly for 20-year coverage, while a 30-year-old male smoker pays $42-48 monthly for identical coverage—a 223% difference based solely on gender and tobacco use.

Term length significantly impacts monthly costs. A 40-year-old male pays approximately $18 monthly for 10-year coverage, $26 monthly for 20-year coverage, or $40 monthly for 30-year coverage. Longer terms cost more monthly but provide extended protection and rate stability.

Can I get $250,000 life insurance for $20 per month?

Yes, healthy non-smokers aged 25-43 can typically secure $250,000 in 20-year term life insurance for $20 per month or less. A 35-year-old male in excellent health pays approximately $18 monthly, while a 35-year-old female pays about $15 monthly.

However, several factors can push your monthly cost above $20:

Age: At age 44 and above, monthly premiums exceed $20 even for the healthiest applicants. A 44-year-old male pays approximately $34-36 monthly for preferred plus rates.

Health classification: If you qualify for Preferred or Standard Plus rather than Preferred Plus, your monthly cost increases by 15-40%. A 38-year-old male who would pay $20 monthly at Preferred Plus rates pays $23-28 monthly at Preferred rates.

Tobacco use: Smokers pay 200-300% more than non-smokers. A 30-year-old male non-smoker paying $15 monthly faces $45-52 monthly as a smoker.

Longer terms: Thirty-year terms cost approximately 40-60% more monthly than 20-year terms. That $18 monthly 20-year premium becomes $26-29 monthly for 30-year coverage.

How much does $250,000 term life insurance cost for a 50-year-old?

A healthy 50-year-old male non-smoker pays approximately $56 per month ($672 annually) for $250,000 in 20-year term coverage at Preferred Plus rates. A 50-year-old female pays approximately $46 per month ($552 annually) for identical coverage.

These costs increase significantly based on health classification and tobacco use:

Standard rates (not optimal health): $78-86 monthly for males, $64-72 monthly for females Smoker rates: $162-186 monthly for males, $136-156 monthly for females

Term length also affects costs substantially at age 50. A 10-year term costs approximately $40 monthly for males and $32 monthly for females—about 30% less than 20-year terms. Thirty-year terms cost approximately $102 monthly for males and $80 monthly for females—nearly double the 20-year term cost.

At age 50, you face substantially higher premiums than younger applicants due to increased mortality risk. A 40-year-old male pays $26 monthly for the same coverage—$30 less per month, or $7,200 less over 20 years. This dramatic cost increase makes purchasing coverage earlier in life financially advantageous.

Does $250,000 life insurance monthly cost change during the term?

No, your monthly premium remains completely level throughout your entire term period. A $26 monthly premium stays at exactly $26 for all 20 years of a 20-year term, regardless of aging, health changes, or other factors.

This guaranteed level premium provides crucial financial predictability. You know your exact life insurance cost for the next 10, 20, or 30 years, allowing reliable long-term budgeting. Unlike health insurance or auto insurance, life insurance never sends you renewal notices with premium increases.

However, if you need new coverage after your term expires, you’ll need to reapply at your current age and health status. Your new policy will have substantially higher premiums based on your older age. A 40-year-old paying $26 monthly who reapplies at age 60 faces approximately $156 monthly—a 500% increase reflecting 20 years of aging.

This is why selecting an appropriate term length initially matters tremendously. Choosing a term that covers your primary financial responsibility years prevents expensive reapplication during your 50s and 60s when premiums increase most dramatically.

What happens if I miss a monthly payment?

Most life insurance policies include a 30-31 day grace period after your payment due date. If you pay during this grace period, your coverage remains active without interruption. If you die during the grace period before making payment, the insurance company pays the death benefit minus your unpaid premium.

If you don’t pay within the grace period, your policy lapses and your coverage terminates. Reinstating a lapsed policy typically requires:

Submitting a reinstatement application within 3-5 years of lapse Paying all missed premiums plus interest (typically 6-8% annually) Providing evidence of continued insurability through new health questions or medical exams

If your health has deteriorated since your original application, reinstatement may be denied or approved only at higher premium rates. In most cases, purchasing a new policy proves easier than reinstating a lapsed one, though you’ll face higher premiums based on your current age.

Many insurance companies offer automatic bank draft payments to prevent accidental lapses. Setting up automatic payments ensures continuous coverage without requiring manual monthly attention.

Can I buy $250,000 life insurance without a medical exam?

Yes, simplified issue and guaranteed issue policies provide coverage without medical exams, but these policies cost 60-150% more monthly than medically underwritten coverage. No-exam policies make sense only if you have health conditions that would result in decline or extremely high rated premiums with traditional underwriting.

Monthly cost comparison (40-year-old male, $250,000, 20-year term):

Medically underwritten policy: $26/month
No-exam simplified issue: $48-58/month
Additional cost over 20 years: $5,280-7,680

No-exam policies also typically limit coverage to $100,000-500,000 maximum and restrict available term lengths to 10-20 years. Coverage amounts and term options are more limited than medically underwritten policies.

Some insurance carriers now offer accelerated underwriting that uses prescription drug databases, motor vehicle records, and electronic medical records to make approval decisions without requiring a medical exam. These accelerated programs provide traditional underwriting rates for healthy applicants while eliminating the exam requirement—offering the best of both worlds if you qualify.

If you’re in reasonably good health, always choose medical exam policies to secure the lowest possible monthly premium. The small inconvenience of a 30-minute exam saves thousands of dollars over your policy term.

Should I get a 10-year, 20-year, or 30-year term?

The optimal term length depends on how long you need coverage and your age at application. The goal is selecting a term that covers your primary financial responsibility years while maintaining affordable monthly costs.

Choose a 10-year term if:

You’re covering a specific short-term debt that will be paid off within a decade
You’re over age 55 and need coverage only until retirement
You want the absolute lowest monthly premium and have limited budget
You have high confidence you won’t need coverage beyond 10 years

Choose a 20-year term if:

You have school-age children who will reach financial independence in 15-20 years
You’re paying a 15-30 year mortgage
You’re between ages 35-50 and need coverage through your peak earning years
You want to balance monthly affordability with adequate protection duration

Choose a 30-year term if:

You’re under age 35 and want maximum rate stability through your 60s
You have very young children (under age 5)
You have a 30-year mortgage
The monthly cost difference between 20-year and 30-year terms is minimal (common for younger applicants)

For most people between ages 30-50, a 20-year term provides the best balance between monthly cost and coverage duration. Younger applicants should seriously consider 30-year terms since the monthly premium difference is relatively small while providing an additional decade of guaranteed rates.

How does $250,000 compare to $500,000 or $1 million in monthly cost?

Life insurance premiums don’t scale linearly with coverage amount. Doubling your coverage doesn’t double your monthly cost—it typically increases costs by only 60-80%.

Monthly cost comparison (35-year-old male, 20-year term):

$250,000 coverage: $18/month
$500,000 coverage: $32/month (78% more for 100% more coverage)
$1,000,000 coverage: $55/month (72% more for 100% more coverage than $500k)

This favorable scaling makes purchasing adequate coverage surprisingly affordable. If you’re choosing between $250,000 and $500,000, the additional $14 monthly ($168 annually) provides double the protection for your family.

Many financial advisors recommend erring on the side of higher coverage amounts given the relatively small incremental monthly cost. A family adequately protected with $500,000 pays only $14-18 more monthly than one underinsured with $250,000—a small price for substantially greater financial security.

Secure Your $250,000 Term Life Insurance Today

Every month you delay purchasing term life insurance, premiums increase approximately 1% due to aging. A 35-year-old paying $18 monthly faces $20-21 monthly costs by age 36—adding $480-720 over a 20-year term from just one year of delay.

More critically, your health can change unexpectedly. A sudden diagnosis can increase premiums by 50-200% or make you temporarily uninsurable. Lock in your current age and health status now rather than gambling on your future insurability.

Request quotes from at least three insurance carriers to ensure competitive pricing. Independent insurance brokers streamline this process by simultaneously comparing 15-30 insurers, presenting you with the best available monthly rates for your specific age and health profile.

Review your coverage needs thoroughly. While $250,000 represents an affordable starting point, your specific financial obligations may warrant additional coverage. Calculate your total debts, multiply your annual income by 10, and add anticipated future expenses to determine your optimal coverage amount.

Term life insurance provides straightforward, affordable protection for the people depending on your income. At $12-35 monthly for most healthy adults under 45, $250,000 in coverage represents one of the most cost-effective financial decisions you can make for your family’s security.

Disclaimer

This article provides general information about term life insurance costs and should not be considered financial or insurance advice. Life insurance premiums vary significantly based on individual health profiles, insurance carriers, policy features, underwriting guidelines, and state regulations. The monthly rates quoted represent estimated ranges for healthy non-smokers with “Preferred Plus” health classifications and may not reflect rates available to all applicants. Actual premiums depend on your specific age, gender, health status, lifestyle factors, tobacco use, policy term length, coverage amount, and the insurance company you choose. Insurance policy terms, conditions, exclusions, and availability vary by state and carrier. Always consult with licensed insurance professionals to obtain personalized quotes and guidance specific to your individual situation. Past rates do not guarantee future pricing.