Best Life Insurance for SSI Recipients in 2025 (Top 10 Companies)

When it comes to finding the best life insurance for SSI recipients, Prudential emerges as the top pick overall, offering competitive rates and tailored affordable coverage. State Farm and New York Life also stand out, providing comprehensive policies designed to meet the unique needs of SSI recipients.

With discounts of up to 15%, Prudential ensures financial stability and peace of mind for individuals on Supplemental Security Income. These companies offer innovative underwriting standards and streamlined application processes, making it easier for SSI recipients to secure the coverage they need.

Our Top 10 Company Picks: Best Life Insurance for SSI Recipients

Whether you’re looking for minimum coverage or a more comprehensive plan, these top insurers have you covered, ensuring your loved ones are protected. You can get free quotes for life insurance and secure financial protection for your loved ones by entering your ZIP code into our tool above.

#1 – Prudential: Top Overall Pick

Pros

• Flexible Underwriting: Prudential offers flexible underwriting, making it a suitable choice for individuals with diverse needs and circumstances.
• Multi-Policy Discount: Customers can benefit from a multi-policy discount of up to 15%, providing cost savings when bundling insurance products.
• Low-Mileage Discount: Prudential insurance review & ratings include a low-mileage discount of up to 10%, which is designed to reward policyholders who drive fewer miles.

Cons

• Limited Discounts: While multi-policy and low-mileage discounts are available, Prudential may have fewer discount options compared to some competitors.
• Competitive Market: The competitive life insurance market may make it challenging for Prudential to stand out solely based on its offerings.

#2 – State Farm: Best for Financial Stability Assurance

Pros

• Financial Strength: State Farm insurance review & ratings highlight the company’s financial strength, offering policyholders peace of mind regarding the company’s stability.
• Multi-Policy Discount: Customers can enjoy a multi-policy discount of up to 17%, encouraging them to bundle various insurance products.
• Low-Mileage Discount: State Farm offers a substantial low-mileage discount of up to 30%, making it appealing for low-mileage drivers.

Cons

• Limited Customization: State Farm may have limitations in policy customization compared to competitors focusing on tailored coverage.
• Pricing: While providing robust coverage, State Farm’s premiums might be comparatively higher for some individuals.

#3 – New York Life: Best for Tailored Coverage Solutions

Pros

• Customized Policies: New York Life insurance review & ratings underscore the company’s commitment to personalized policies, enabling customers to customize their coverage according to their individual life insurance requirements.
• Multi-Policy Discount: The company offers a multi-policy discount of up to 10%, providing potential savings for policyholders.
• Low-Mileage Discount: Customers driving fewer miles can benefit from a low-mileage discount of up to 7% with New York Life.

Cons

• Lower Discount Rates: New York Life’s discount rates may be slightly lower compared to some competitors, potentially impacting overall cost savings.
• Complexity: The emphasis on customization may lead to policy options that are more complex for some customers to navigate.

#4 – MassMutual: Best for Living Benefits

Pros

• Living Benefits: MassMutual insurance review & ratings accentuate the company’s strength in providing living benefits, allowing policyholders to access funds in specific situations during their lifetime.
• Multi-Policy Discount: Customers can save with a multi-policy discount of up to 12%, promoting the bundling of insurance products.
• Low-Mileage Discount: MassMutual offers a low-mileage discount of up to 8%, encouraging reduced driving for potential savings.

Cons

• Limited Discount Variety: MassMutual’s discount options may be limited compared to competitors with a broader array of discounts.
• Complexity in Living Benefits: Understanding the intricacies of living benefits may be challenging for some policyholders.

#5 – Northwestern Mutual: Best for Dividend Payments

Pros

• Dividend Payments: Northwestern Mutual insurance review & ratings highlight the company’s unique feature of providing dividend payments to policyholders, which can potentially increase the policy’s overall value.
• Multi-Policy Discount: Customers can benefit from a multi-policy discount of up to 15%, encouraging the consolidation of insurance products.
• Low-Mileage Discount: Northwestern Mutual offers a low-mileage discount of up to 10%, appealing to those who drive less.

Cons

• Higher Premiums: The inclusion of dividend payments may result in slightly higher premiums compared to some competitors.
• Less Emphasis on Online Tools: Northwestern Mutual may have fewer online tools and resources compared to companies placing a strong emphasis on digital services.

#6 – Guardian Life: Best for Policy Customization

Pros

• Policy Customization: Guardian Life insurance review & ratings boast the company’s strength in offering customized policies, enabling customers to adjust their coverage according to their specific requirements.
• Multi-Policy Discount: Customers can enjoy a multi-policy discount of up to 12%, encouraging them to bundle different insurance products.
• Low-Mileage Discount: Guardian Life offers a low-mileage discount of up to 8%, promoting potential savings for policyholders driving fewer miles.

Cons

• Complexity in Options: The extensive customization options may lead to a more complex decision-making process for some customers.
• Higher Premiums: Guardian Life’s focus on customization may result in slightly higher premiums for those seeking more personalized coverage.

#7 – Mutual of Omaha: Best for No Medical Exam Option

Pros

• No Medical Exam Option: Mutual of Omaha provides a no-medical-exam option, making it more accessible for individuals seeking a simplified application process.
• Multi-Policy Discount: Policyholders can benefit from a multi-policy discount of up to 25%, offering significant potential savings.
• Low-Mileage Discount: Mutual of Omaha offers a low-mileage discount of up to 12%, appealing to those who drive less.

Cons

• Limited Discount Variety: Mutual of Omaha may offer fewer types of discounts compared to some competitors.
• Less Focus on Online Tools: Mutual of Omaha insurance review & ratings show that the company offers fewer online tools and resources compared to insurers that focus more on digital services.

#8 – Principal Financial Group: Best for Multi-Policy Discount

Pros

• No Medical Exam Option: Principal Financial provides a no-medical-exam option, streamlining the application process for potential policyholders.
• Multi-Policy Discount: Customers can benefit from a multi-policy discount of up to 10%, encouraging the bundling of insurance products.
• Low-Mileage Discount: Principal Financial offers a low-mileage discount of up to 7%, promoting potential savings for those driving fewer miles.

Cons

• Limited Discount Variety: Principal Financial may have fewer discount options compared to some competitors.
• Less Focus on Customization: The emphasis on a simplified process may result in fewer options for highly customized policies or comprehensive coverage.

#9 – Transamerica: Best for Affordable Term Life

Pros

• Affordable Term Life: Transamerica insurance review & ratings show the company’s reputation for providing cost-effective term life insurance, making it a popular choice among those on a budget.
• Multi-Policy Discount: Customers can benefit from a multi-policy discount of up to 10%, providing potential cost savings.
• Low-Mileage Discount: Transamerica offers a low-mileage discount of up to 8%, appealing to policyholders who drive less.

Cons

• Limited Discount Variety: Transamerica’s discount options may be limited compared to some competitors.
• Less Emphasis on Living Benefits: The company may have fewer living benefit options compared to insurers placing a strong emphasis on this feature.

#10 – Lincoln Financial: Best for Conversion Options

Pros

• Conversion Options: Lincoln Financial provides conversion options, allowing policyholders to convert term life policies to permanent policies, providing long-term flexibility.
• Multi-Policy Discount: Customers can benefit from a multi-policy discount of up to 22.5%, encouraging the bundling of insurance products.
• Low-Mileage Discount: Lincoln Financial offers a low-mileage discount of up to 12%, appealing to those who drive less.

Cons

• Complexity in Options: The conversion options may introduce complexity for some customers in understanding the long-term implications.
• Higher Premiums: When considering Lincoln Financial insurance review & ratings, it’s worth noting that including conversion options might lead to slightly higher premiums compared to those of some competitors.

Life Insurance Costs for SSI Recipients

When it comes to life insurance, especially for those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), understanding the coverage rates offered by various insurance companies is crucial. The coverage rates vary based on the provider and the extent of coverage sought, often categorized into minimum and full coverage. 

For individuals seeking the most basic life insurance coverage, the minimum coverage rates are indicative of the lowest monthly premiums offered by each company.

Life Insurance Monthly Rates for SSI Recipients by Coverage Level

Among the companies listed, Mutual of Omaha provides the most affordable minimum coverage at $28 per month, closely followed by State Farm at $25. These rates offer a starting point for those with budget constraints but still prioritize having some form of life insurance protection.

On the other end of the spectrum, full coverage represents a more comprehensive life insurance plan. Here, the average monthly rates are higher, reflecting the broader scope of benefits provided.

MassMutual and Principal Financial top the list with full coverage rates of $120 and $110, respectively. While these rates might be higher, they encompass a more extensive range of benefits, providing policyholders with a more robust financial safety net.

Analyzing both minimum and full coverage rates allows individuals to make informed decisions based on their unique needs and financial capacities. Prudential, Transamerica, and Lincoln Financial, for instance, maintain consistent rates for both minimum and full coverage, providing flexibility for policyholders with varying preferences.

Types of Life Insurance Available for SSI Recipients

Can you have life insurance while on SSI? SSI life insurance comes in many shapes and sizes, so one type might be better for you than another. Term life insurance is the most popular type because it’s simple and affordable. When you get term life insurance quotes, you choose how many years you want the policy to last.

If you die during your term, your life insurance beneficiaries will receive a payout from your insurer. Terms range from 10 years to 30 years. The risk with term life insurance is that your insurance could expire before you die. Make sure you give it some thought before purchasing a new policy.

Permanent life insurance policies last your entire life. Additionally, they typically have a cash value that is separate from the death benefit. The cash value is essentially a savings account that can build as you make your monthly payments. If you decide to cancel your permanent life insurance policy, you can cash out.

Whole life insurance is the most common type of permanent life insurance. You pay a standard monthly rate for a guaranteed minimum return. Although they’re relatively simple, whole life insurance policies can cost at least five times more than a term life policy, so it may not be worth it unless you can comfortably afford the higher rates.

Whole life insurance is best suited for younger policyholders who can build up their death benefits over time. If you don’t want an entire policy, or if you don’t qualify because of your age or health, you can just pay for burial insurance. Burial insurance is a subset of whole life insurance. You can purchase it as either simplified issue life insurance or guaranteed issue life insurance.

Simplified issue life insurance covers medical care, funeral services, cremation, or anything else related to your death. No medical exam is necessary, but there is a health questionnaire. To be eligible, you can’t have any major health issues. There could be an age cap on this policy, too.

Discover more information on our guide titled “Best Comprehensive Healthcare Companies“.

Guaranteed issue life insurance functions like simplified issue life insurance but has higher monthly rates because the eligibility requirements are less strict. There’s no medical exam, and a questionnaire isn’t required. The only people who don’t qualify are those who can’t fill out their applications, such as those with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Universal life insurance technically falls under permanent life insurance, but it’s more complicated. The big takeaway is that you can adjust your death benefit and monthly payments so long as you have enough money in the account. This increases your flexibility. Universal life insurance includes investment options. There are three types:

• Guaranteed Universal Life Insurance: Out of the three types, this has the lowest risk. As long as you pay your monthly rates, you’re guaranteed coverage.
• Variable Universal Life Insurance. Any investment losses will negatively affect your death benefit:
• Indexed Universal Life Insurance: Indexed insurance functions like variable universal life insurance, except that there’s no fixed interest rate. It could mean higher gains and greater losses.

Does life insurance affect SSI? The investment policies are suitable for those who like a hands-on approach, but if you prefer the simple route, try a term or a whole policy.

Factors Affecting the Cost of Life Insurance for SSI Recipients

Life insurance will cost the same whether or not you’re collecting SSI, but the average monthly life insurance cost of these policies can vary widely. For a standard policy, you could pay as low as $71 a month or over $1,000 per month.  The average SSI recipient might fall within the $100 to $445 range, but your rates depend on a few crucial factors:

• Age:  As you age, the risk of death is higher. If you’re buying a new plan after retirement age, expect your quotes to be higher than the average. Is there any sort of age limit when buying life insurance? Make sure you talk to an agent about this.
• Gender: Women pay less than men do because men have a shorter life expectancy. On average, women spend at least $20 less per month. Women in their 70s or 80s may even pay hundreds less.
• Medical History: An insurer usually looks at your medical history to see if you have any preexisting conditions, such as being overweight. Many insurers will also have a doctor examine you before giving you life insurance. Life insurance for overweight people is possible to get.
• Tobacco Use: Because smoking is highly linked to cancer, smokers are subject to higher rates.
• Criminal History: Insurers look for specific red flags in your criminal record, like DUIs or felonies. Life insurance for felons is more expensive and requires a few extra steps in the application.
• Hobbies: If you have any high-risk hobbies, such as race car driving or skiing, your rates may go up.

Of course, the amount of coverage you get will also affect your rates. For example, a $500,000 policy for a 50-year-old female collecting SSI could be $71 per month, but a $1 million policy would cost $129 per month. Luckily, having SSI and life insurance shouldn’t affect your rates.

The Impact of Life Insurance on SSI Benefits

Receiving SSI won’t affect your life insurance, but having life insurance could affect your SSI. On average, people can receive up to $794 in Supplemental Security Income payments, and couples can get $1,191. However, the Social Security Administration limits how much you can receive based on your financial resources.

Resources refer to assets that can easily supplement your income. For example, property, bonds, stocks, bank accounts, and specific life insurance policies can count as resources. You are allowed $1,500 in life insurance. Anything over that limit counts as a resource and will affect your SSI benefits.

You only have to worry about this if you have a permanent life insurance policy. Canceling your insurance and cashing out is a source of income, so your SSI benefits would decrease. Additionally, receiving a death benefit could affect your SSI. If you are a beneficiary on someone’s life insurance policy and you rely on SSI, consider having the payout put into a trust. This way, your SSI benefits won’t change.

Learn more on our “Accelerated Death Benefit Rider: A Complete Guide“.

Determining the Right Amount of Life Insurance to Purchase

When figuring out how life insurance works and how much life insurance you should purchase, look at your debts and dependents. Your policy should cover any outstanding debts, such as mortgages, car loans, credit card debts, cosigned loans, and more. Covering your own funeral expenses can take the stress off your family as well.

If you have dependents who rely on your income, you should ensure they’re covered after you’re gone. Income could include SSI, pensions, trust funds, or retirement benefits. Most people buy a $500,000 policy for income replacement, but any assets you own can help offset how much you need to purchase.

When to Get Life Insurance: Understanding the Right Time

For the most part, you can get some degree of life insurance no matter your age. Most companies will insure people up to 65 years old, but some companies work with those as old as 80. Plus, it depends on what type of policy you want.

If you’re collecting SSI because of a life-threatening disability, you might have difficulty finding a full and best life insurance for disabled policy that you’re eligible for. However, you can still set up burial insurance as long as you’re physically and mentally able to fill out the application yourself. Remember, rates are higher for those who apply later in life than for those who take out a life insurance policy while young.

Case Studies: Best Life Insurance for SSI Recipients

To provide a clearer understanding of life insurance options for SSI recipients, we present a few case studies showcasing different scenarios and the best-suited insurance choices.

• Case Study #1 – Sarah’s Term Life Insurance: Sarah, a 35-year-old SSI recipient, opted for a 20-year term life insurance policy with Prudential. With affordable premiums and a $500,000 death benefit, Sarah ensures her family’s financial security without impacting her SSI benefits.
• Case Study #2 – John’s Whole Life Insurance: John, a 45-year-old SSI recipient, chose a whole life insurance policy with New York Life. With a $1,000 monthly premium, John’s policy offers a $150,000 death benefit and builds cash value over time, providing both protection and a savings component.
• Case Study #3 – Maria’s Burial Insurance: Maria, a 60-year-old SSI recipient, opted for burial insurance with State Farm. With a monthly premium of $50, Maria ensures her final expenses are covered without affecting her SSI benefits or exceeding the $1,500 resource limit.

These case studies demonstrate that SSI recipients have various life insurance options tailored to their needs. Whether it’s term life, whole life, or burial insurance, individuals can find affordable coverage to safeguard their family’s future without jeopardizing their SSI benefits.

Life Insurance for SSI Recipients: The Bottom Line

Life insurance is a vital financial tool for SSI recipients to secure their family’s future. Through various types of life insurance like term life, whole life, or burial insurance, individuals can find affordable coverage tailored to their needs.

It’s essential to choose a policy that ensures financial stability without impacting SSI benefits, providing peace of mind for the policyholder. By exploring different insurance options, SSI recipients can make informed decisions to safeguard their family’s financial security. Safeguard your family’s future while saving on coverage — enter your ZIP code below to compare life insurance quotes with our free tool today.