When most people hear “Gerber,” they think of baby food and the company’s famous infant‐protection plans. However, Gerber Life Insurance Company also offers policies for adults, including seniors seeking life insurance after age 60. While Gerber’s children’s policies are widely known, its adult products deserve a closer look. This guide explores why seniors need life insurance, describes Gerber’s term, whole and guaranteed‑issue products, presents sample premium rates, examines the pros and cons of choosing Gerber and offers recommendations for different situations. Finally, it highlights why working with a broker like Liberty Financial Group can ensure you obtain the best coverage for your needs at no extra cost.
Why life insurance matters after 60
Many seniors think life insurance is unnecessary once the kids are grown and the mortgage is nearly paid off. Yet there are compelling reasons to maintain coverage:
- Paying final expenses – Funerals, burials or cremations easily cost $8,000–$15,000. A policy prevents your family from having to cover these costs out of pocket.
- Covering debts – Credit cards, personal loans and medical bills may persist into retirement. Life insurance pays off these liabilities, protecting your estate.
- Providing for a spouse or dependents – If your partner relies on your pension or Social Security benefits, a lump‑sum death benefit can replace lost income.
- Leaving a legacy – Life insurance allows you to leave money to children, grandchildren or favorite charities even if most assets are tied up in retirement accounts.
- Access to cash in an emergency – Some permanent policies build cash value that can be borrowed against for emergencies or to supplement retirement income.
As you age, premiums rise and health conditions emerge, so choosing the right product early can save money and reduce the risk of being declined.
Overview of Gerber’s adult life‑insurance products
Gerber Life sells several types of policies for adults: term life, whole life and guaranteed‑issue whole life. Below are the key features seniors should know.
Gerber term life insurance
Although most people associate Gerber with childhood coverage, the company offers 10‑, 20‑ and 30‑year term policies for adults. Coverage amounts range from $100,000 to $300,000. For younger applicants, Gerber may waive a medical exam; however, adults over 51 who seek more than $100,000 of coverage generally need a medical exam. The approval process is relatively fast, and premium rates are level for the chosen term length.
Because term life is pure insurance (no cash value), premiums are lower than for permanent insurance. However, Gerber’s term policies are not specifically marketed to seniors and can be expensive relative to other companies that specialize in older applicants. Additionally, the coverage maximum of $300,000 may be insufficient if you need to replace a large income or cover an outstanding mortgage.
Gerber whole life insurance
Gerber’s adult whole life policy provides permanent coverage with guaranteed premiums and cash value. Coverage amounts start around $50,000 and go up to $300,000. Applicants typically answer health questions, and a medical exam is required for applicants over 51 seeking more than $100,000. The policy accrues cash value at a guaranteed rate, and premiums remain level for life as long as they are paid on time.
While whole life can be a good way to build a tax‑deferred asset, Gerber’s pricing is higher than many competitors. In addition, Gerber offers limited riders: the company is known for offering only one rider (the Guaranteed Purchase Option for their children’s Grow‑Up plan), so adults cannot add common riders such as accelerated death benefits or paid‑up additions.
Gerber guaranteed‑issue whole life for seniors
The product that most seniors associate with Gerber is the Guaranteed Issue Whole Life plan. This policy is designed specifically for seniors with health issues who might have been declined elsewhere.
Age eligibility and coverage – Gerber’s guaranteed‑issue plan is available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents ages 50–80; New York residents have a maximum age of 75. Coverage amounts range from $5,000 to $25,000, and applicants can own multiple policies but the combined total may not exceed $25,000. The plan is not available in Montana.
No medical questions – Acceptance is guaranteed regardless of health, and there are no medical exams or lengthy health questionnaires. This makes the policy accessible to people with serious conditions such as cancer, heart disease or diabetes, or those who prefer not to share health information.
Graded death benefit – Like most guaranteed‑issue plans, Gerber’s policy has a two‑year graded death benefit. If the insured dies from natural causes within the first two years, the beneficiary receives 110 % of the premiums paid. After two years (or one year in North Dakota), the full death benefit is paid. Death due to an accident is covered immediately.
Fixed premiums and payment flexibility – Premiums are guaranteed not to increase, and policyholders can pay via direct billing, credit card, debit card or automatic withdrawal (ACH). Gerber offers an ACH discount of up to 8 %, making the policy slightly cheaper.
Application process – The application is simple and can be completed over the phone with an independent agent. The owner and insured can be different people; for example, an adult child can purchase coverage on a parent.
Gerber life‑insurance rates and cost considerations
Like all life insurance, Gerber’s premiums increase with age and vary by gender. Gerber’s guaranteed‑issue policy is more expensive than many underwritten final‑expense plans because the company accepts applicants without reviewing health history. Below is a summary of sample monthly premiums (including a $1 policy fee and ACH discount) for Gerber’s guaranteed‑issue plan.
| Age | Male $5k | Male $10k | Male $15k | Male $20k | Female $5k | Female $10k | Female $15k | Female $20k |
| 50 | $22.50 | $44.09 | $65.68 | $87.27 | $17.69 | $34.37 | $51.24 | $68.02 |
| 60 | $32.40 | $63.89 | $95.38 | $126.87 | $25.99 | $51.06 | $76.13 | $101.20 |
| 65 | $43.04 | $85.16 | $127.28 | $169.40 | $31.76 | $62.61 | $93.45 | $124.30 |
| 70 | $50.05 | $99.18 | $148.32 | $197.45 | $38.23 | $75.53 | $112.84 | $150.15 |
| 75 | $70.22 | $139.52 | $208.82 | $278.12 | $54.54 | $108.17 | $161.79 | $215.42 |
| 80 | $124.12 | $247.32 | $370.52 | $493.72 | $88.64 | $176.37 | $264.09 | $351.82 |
These rates illustrate several patterns:
- Premiums increase rapidly with age – A 50‑year‑old male pays about $44 per month for $10,000 of coverage, while an 80‑year‑old pays $247. Waiting to buy until your 70s or 80s results in significantly higher costs.
- Women pay less than men – At every age, women’s premiums are about 20 %–30 % lower because women have longer life expectancies.
- Small policies cost more per thousand – Because there is a fixed policy fee, $5,000 of coverage costs more per thousand dollars than $15,000 or $20,000.
For Gerber’s term and standard whole life policies, rates vary based on health, lifestyle and coverage amount. Gerber tends to be more expensive than some competitors, particularly for healthy seniors who could qualify for fully underwritten policies.
Pros and cons of choosing Gerber for seniors
Strengths
- Guaranteed acceptance – Seniors with serious health issues cannot be turned down for the guaranteed‑issue policy.
- No medical exam – Even Gerber’s term and whole life policies often waive medical exams for applicants under 51 or for coverage under $100,000. This simplicity appeals to older applicants.
- Fixed premiums – Premiums on whole life and guaranteed‑issue policies never increase, providing predictability in retirement..
- Strong brand and financial stability – Gerber has been in business for decades and maintains solid financial ratings. The company is owned by Western & Southern Financial Group, a large insurer.
- Flexible ownership – An adult child can own the policy while insuring a parent, making it easier to manage payments.
Limitations
- Low maximum coverage – Guaranteed‑issue policies offer only up to $25,000 of coverage, and even Gerber’s fully underwritten policies top out at $300,000. Seniors needing larger protection for mortgages or estate planning must look elsewhere.
- Higher premiums – Gerber’s premiums for both guaranteed‑issue and standard policies are generally higher than those of competitors. Healthy seniors might secure lower rates with other insurers who require medical underwriting.
- Two‑year waiting period – The guaranteed‑issue plan includes a 24‑month graded benefit; beneficiaries receive only 110 % of premiums if death occurs from natural causes during this period.
- Limited riders and benefits – Gerber does not offer accelerated death benefit riders or many other customizations, limiting your ability to add features such as critical‑illness coverage.
- State availability – The guaranteed‑issue policy is unavailable in Montana, and other products may not be offered in every state.
Recommendations for common senior situations
“I want a small policy for funeral costs”
If you primarily need coverage to pay for final expenses, Gerber’s guaranteed‑issue whole life offers $5,000–$25,000 of coverage without medical questions. However, because premiums rise steeply with age, apply sooner rather than later. For example, a 60‑year‑old woman pays $51.06 per month for $10,000 of coverage, whereas at 75 the same coverage costs $108.17. Compare these rates with other final‑expense carriers (such as Mutual of Omaha or Transamerica) through Liberty Financial Group to ensure you receive the best value.
“I’m in good health and need more than $100,000 of coverage”
Gerber’s term life plan offers up to $300,000 but may require a medical exam for seniors over 51. If you are healthy enough to pass underwriting, a fully underwritten term policy from other insurers (MassMutual, Banner Life, Protective) could provide higher coverage and lower premiums. Gerber’s limited coverage may not suffice to replace income or pay off a large mortgage.
“I have health issues and have been declined elsewhere”
If you have severe health problems such as cancer or heart disease, the guaranteed‑issue plan offers acceptance regardless of health. Be aware of the two‑year waiting period and higher cost. Because Gerber’s premiums are often higher than similar plans from AIG or Great Western, compare quotes via Liberty Financial Group.
“I want a policy to leave a larger inheritance”
For those who want to leave more than $25,000, Gerber is not the best choice. Instead, consider universal life or whole life policies from companies like MassMutual, Penn Mutual or New York Life. These insurers offer higher coverage amounts and more rider options, but may require a medical exam.
Tips for getting the best deal
- Buy earlier – Premiums increase rapidly with age; apply in your early 60s if possible. At 50 a male pays $44.09 for $10,000, while at 80 he pays $247.32.
- Use ACH for payment discounts – Paying via automatic bank withdrawal can reduce your premium by up to 8 %.
- Shop multiple insurers – Gerber is convenient but not necessarily the cheapest. An independent broker like Liberty can compare rates from numerous carriers.
- Consider underwriting – If you are in good health, undergo a medical exam to qualify for lower rates from other insurers. Guaranteed‑issue plans should be a last resort.
- Evaluate rider needs – Because Gerber offers few riders, if you want features like accelerated death benefits or term riders, look at other companies.
Work with Liberty Financial Group
📞 Call Liberty Financial Group at 888.414.3873
📩 Or click here to request a free quote
Deciding on life insurance as a senior can be complex. Gerber offers convenience and guaranteed acceptance, but other companies may provide higher coverage at better rates. Liberty Financial Group is an independent insurance brokerage that works with seniors nationwide to compare life‑insurance options at no cost. By partnering with Liberty, you can obtain quotes from Gerber and other top insurers, evaluate your health eligibility and choose the plan that provides the best balance of price and benefits.
Contact Liberty Financial Group today for a free, no‑obligation consultation. Their agents will answer your questions, compare multiple carriers and help you secure coverage that protects your family without overpaying. Visit https://libertyfingroup.com/ to start exploring your options.
About Liberty Financial Group
Liberty Financial Group is an independent insurance brokerage dedicated to helping seniors compare life‑insurance options at no cost to the client. Based in Florida, Liberty represents dozens of top insurers and offers personalized service to match you with the best policy for your needs. Visit their website or call to speak with a licensed agent.
