Best Final Expense Insurance Companies of 2026
We compared six final expense carriers still selling through independent agents in 2026: Mutual of Omaha, Transamerica, Foresters, Americo, American-Amicable and Aetna (Accendo). All offer day-one coverage for applicants who qualify, with maximums from $35,000 to $50,000. The right one depends on your age, health and how much coverage you need.
Updated · Editorial standards
- Carriers compared
- 6 still selling via independent agents
- Highest issue age
- 89 (Aetna Accendo)
- Highest AM Best rating
- A+ (Mutual of Omaha)
- Day-one maximum
- $35,000 to $50,000, falling with age
Average final expense estimates across carriers (monthly)
| Age | $10K | $15K | $25K | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | Women | Men | Women | Men | Women | |
| 55 | $33.75 | $27.80 | $48.63 | $39.70 | $78.38 | $63.50 |
| 60 | $39.91 | $32.73 | $57.87 | $47.09 | $93.78 | $75.82 |
| 65 | $47.90 | $39.12 | $69.86 | $56.68 | $113.76 | $91.81 |
| 70 | $58.27 | $47.41 | $85.40 | $69.12 | $139.67 | $112.53 |
| 75 | $71.71 | $58.17 | $105.56 | $85.25 | $173.27 | $139.42 |
| 80 | $89.14 | $72.11 | $131.71 | $106.17 | $216.85 | $174.28 |
How we chose and how we are paid
We judged each carrier on seven points: financial strength, issue ages, maximum coverage, whether a day-one plan is available, underwriting flexibility, the terms of its limited-benefit plan, and how fast the application is. We used only facts we could verify in carrier documents and AM Best releases, listed below.
PolicyOcean is an independent agency, and carriers pay us a commission when we place a policy. That does not change your premium. Read how we make money for details. We do not name one overall winner, because the right carrier depends on your health answers.
Best for each situation
Best for top financial strength: Mutual of Omaha. It is the only carrier in this group rated A+ (Superior) by AM Best, affirmed April 2026. Living Promise Level issues from 45 to 85 for up to $50,000. Read our Mutual of Omaha review.
Best for applicants in their late 80s: Aetna (Accendo). Its Level plan issues to age 89, the highest issue age we verified. Coverage tops out at $25,000 after age 75. See the Aetna review and our page on final expense over 85.
Best for partial coverage during a graded period: American-Amicable. Its Graded plan pays 30% of the benefit in year one and 70% in year two, rather than just refunding premiums. Its Immediate plan reaches $50,000 through age 75. See the American-Amicable review.
More best-for picks
Best for covering younger family members too: Transamerica. Immediate Solution issues from birth to age 85 with day-one coverage, and a rider can cover children and grandchildren. Read the Transamerica review.
Best for an instant decision: Americo. Eagle Select is accept-or-reject on the health questions, and the e-app gives an instant decision. Day-one coverage starts at age 40. See the Americo review.
Best for member extras: Foresters. PlanRight Preferred and Standard pay from day one to age 85, and members can use non-contractual benefits such as orphan scholarships. Its Basic plan refunds premiums plus 10% interest. See the Foresters review.
What day-one coverage and waiting periods mean
A day-one plan pays the full benefit if you die from any cause after the policy starts. You qualify by answering health questions honestly.
If your answers do not qualify, the carrier may offer a limited-benefit plan instead. For death from illness in the first two years, these pay a refund of premiums plus a percentage, or a partial benefit. Accidental death is usually paid in full from day one. Our waiting periods guide explains the differences.
Guaranteed issue plans ask no health questions and always have a limited-benefit period, usually two to three years. They make sense mainly when no simplified issue plan will accept you.
Carriers we left out
Some well-known names are missing on purpose. Prosperity Life sold its S.USA final expense block in 2024, and American-Amicable now administers it; see our Prosperity Life page. Great Western’s parent stopped taking final expense applications after August 31, 2024; see our Great Western page.
John Hancock and Prudential are highly rated, but we could not verify a final expense product from either in their own current materials. They appear on our no-exam life insurance list instead.
How to compare prices
Premiums depend on age, sex, tobacco use, health answers and coverage amount. The table above shows average estimates across carriers, not quotes from any one company. See final expense cost by age for more detail.
Two carriers can price the same person very differently, and the cheapest quote is not useful if you do not qualify for it. An independent agent can check which plan your health answers fit before you apply, so a decline does not follow you.
Coverage amount matters as much as the carrier. Funeral and burial costs, outstanding medical bills and small debts are the usual targets. Our guide to what final expense covers can help you pick a realistic amount before you compare quotes.
Final expense carriers compared
Day-one plan limits and limited-benefit plan terms from each carrier’s current product documents. Maximums often fall at older ages; availability varies by state.
| Carrier | AM Best rating | Day-one plan and issue ages | Day-one maximum | Limited-benefit plan (years 1–2) | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mutual of Omaha | A+ (Apr 2026) | Living Promise Level, 45–85 | $50,000 | Graded, 45–80, up to $20,000: premiums plus 10% | Health questions, e-app |
| Transamerica | A (Feb 2026) | Immediate Solution, 0–85 | $50,000 to age 55; $25,000 at 76–85 | Easy Solution, 18–80, up to $25,000: 110% of premiums | Automated; same-day approval possible |
| Foresters | A (Oct 2025) | PlanRight Preferred/Standard, 50–85 | $35,000 to age 80; $15,000 at 81–85 | Basic, 50–80, up to $15,000: premiums plus 10% interest | Point-of-sale decision; agent interview required |
| Americo | A (Jan 2026) | Eagle Select 1 and 2, 40–85 | $40,000 | Eagle Select 3, 40–75, up to $25,000: graded benefit | Instant decision e-app |
| American-Amicable | A (Sept 2025) | Senior Choice Immediate, 50–85 | $50,000 to age 75; $25,000 at 76–85 | Graded: 30% yr 1, 70% yr 2; or return of premium plus 10% interest; up to $25,000 | Decision in about 30 seconds |
| Aetna (Accendo) | A (June 2026) | Accendo Level, 40–89 | $50,000 to age 55; $25,000 at 76–89 | Modified, 40–75, up to $25,000: 110% of premium | Yes/no health application |
Questions people ask
Which final expense company is best?
It depends on your age and health. Mutual of Omaha has the highest AM Best rating in our group, Aetna Accendo issues to the oldest age, and American-Amicable pays partial benefits during its graded period.
Which final expense companies have no waiting period?
All six carriers we compared offer a day-one plan for applicants who qualify on the health questions. Waiting periods apply only to their graded, modified or guaranteed issue plans.
What is the oldest age to buy final expense insurance?
Among the carriers we verified, Aetna’s Accendo plan issues to age 89. Most others stop at 85.
How much final expense coverage can I get?
Day-one maximums range from $35,000 to $50,000 among the carriers we compared, and most drop at older ages.
Does PolicyOcean get paid by these companies?
Yes. We earn a commission from the carrier when we place a policy. It does not change your premium.
Is a higher AM Best rating always better for final expense?
It is one factor. All six carriers here are rated A or A+, and plan terms and your eligibility often matter more for a small policy.
Why are Prosperity Life and Great Western not on this list?
Neither is selling final expense to new buyers. Prosperity sold its S.USA final expense block in 2024, and Great Western’s parent stopped taking applications after August 31, 2024.
Can I buy final expense without an agent?
Some plans, such as Mutual of Omaha Guaranteed Whole Life, are sold by mail or online. The six simplified issue plans compared here are sold through licensed agents.
Sources
- Mutual of Omaha Living Promise Plan Highlights
- AM Best affirms Mutual of Omaha, April 2, 2026 (agency repost)
- Transamerica Final Expense Solutions brochure
- AM Best affirms Aegon US subsidiaries, Feb 13, 2026
- Foresters PlanRight producer guide (04/25)
- Foresters financial strength
- Americo Products at a Glance (11/24)
- Americo: Who We Are
- American-Amicable Products at a Glance (rev. 8/25)
- American-Amicable Senior Choice brochure
- AM Best affirms Industrial Alliance subsidiaries, Sept 18, 2025
- Aetna product availability chart (09-04-26)
- Accendo Final Expense brochure
- AM Best affirms CVS Health / Aetna subsidiaries, June 5, 2026
- Prosperity Life notice on American-Amicable administration
- Wellabe final expense discontinuation notice (agency repost)
This page is for education and is not financial, tax or legal advice. Products, features and availability vary by carrier and state.
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