Written by · Reviewed by Smiths Insurance & KiwiSaver — licensed Financial Advice Provider (FSP712931) · Last updated 2026-10-20

Life insurance entry ages and expiry rules in NZ

Life insurance has two age limits: the oldest age you can start at, and the age cover ends, if it does. Momentum Life's Quick Life accepts ages 18 to 65 and Funeral Insurance 40 to 75, and both keep cover for life. Fidelity Life takes applicants to 75, and AIA and Chubb Life to 70, with no expiry age.

In short

What is the difference between entry age and expiry age?

An entry age (or issue age) is the oldest age at which an insurer will accept a new application. An expiry age is the age at which a policy ends. A premium milestone is a third thing: an age at which the premium is fixed, stops or converts from one structure to another. People often read "to age 70" as "cover ends at 70", when it more often means "you can apply until 70" or "this level premium lasts until 70". The table keeps the three apart.

Entry and expiry ages by product

Compared: the products below, on entry age, whether cover expires and what happens to premiums, as at 20 October 2026, from each insurer's own pages and documents. Not every NZ insurer is included; Partners Life's and Asteron's entry ages were not confirmed and are left out. This is one adviser's reading, not a score.

Product Entry age Cover ends Premium milestone
Fidelity Life, life cover 16 to 75 "No expiry age" Stepped premiums rise each year; level term stays the same for the term
AIA Living, Life Cover 10 to 70 No expiry Stepped ("Rate for Age"), or level for 10 years, to 65 or to 80, then converts to Rate for Age
Chubb Life, Assurance Extra Life Cover 10 to 70 (55 for "level to 65", 60 for "level to 70") Never expires Premium review periods of 1, 5, 10 years, or to 65, 70, 80 or 100
AIA Living, Accidental Death 16 to 60 Expires at 65 Not stated
NZ Seniors Life (Pinnacle Life) 45 to 79 Cover to 85 Stepped
Golden Insurance 40 to 80 Not stated here Recalculated each year and generally increase
Booster, Super Simple Life 18 to 50 Not stated here Fixed until age 40
NZ Seniors and OneChoice, funeral cover 18 to 79 Not stated here No premiums after 85
AA Life, Funeral Cover 50 to 79 Not stated here Premiums to the anniversary after the 90th birthday
Chubb Life, Funeral Cover 50 to 80 Not stated here Premiums stop at claim, at 90, or on entering long-term care
Momentum Life, Funeral Insurance 40 to 75 Cover for life Level premiums, no premiums from the 89th birthday
Momentum Life, Quick Life 18 to 65 Cover for life, or until cancelled Stepped to 75, then fixed for life; indexation stops at 75

Sources: Fidelity, AIA and its policy wording, the Chubb brochure, NZ Seniors, Golden Insurance, Booster, OneChoice, AA Life, Chubb funeral, and Momentum's Funeral and Quick Life wordings. Entry ages change, so check the current terms before you apply.

Does life insurance expire after a certain age?

Not on the products we could check. Fidelity says "there is no expiry age", AIA's Life Cover and Chubb's Assurance Extra Life Cover are described as having no expiry, and Momentum's two products continue for life. The idea that standard policies "expire at 70, 75 or 80" usually mixes up entry ages and premium structures. Where an age does matter is the price:

If you ask "does life insurance run out?", the honest answer is that cover often does not end, but you may stop being able to afford it. See stepped versus level premiums.

The Momentum age rules in detail

Quick Life accepts ages 18 to 65, with no health questions, for $50,000 to $300,000. The wording says the cover extends for life or until cancelled. Premiums are re-set each anniversary for age, sex and smoking status, and are fixed once you turn 75. At 75 indexation stops and $20,000 of the benefit becomes free: you can elect a free $20,000 funeral benefit or continue Quick Life with the free component. For the first 2 years Quick Life does not pay for death or terminal illness caused by a pre-existing condition, or for suicide or intentional self-harm; if the person dies from a pre-existing condition in that time and no claim is payable, premiums are refunded. A true age over 65 at the start voids the policy, with premiums refunded.

Funeral Insurance accepts ages 40 to 75, with $3,000 to $30,000 of cover and acceptance guaranteed. Premiums are level and fixed each year until the 89th birthday, then stop, and cover continues for life. For the first 24 months it pays only if death is caused by an accident and happens within 90 days of it; any other death in that time pays no benefit and all premiums for that person are refunded. Total premiums can end up larger than the benefit, and the benefit may not cover a whole funeral. Momentum can change the rate for everyone on the plan on 30 days' notice for tax or claims reasons.

The two windows are the same length but cover different things, and neither product accepts a new applicant over 75.

Life insurance under 50, and 60 plus

For funeral cover specifically, read funeral insurance over 80 and the guide to what age to get life insurance.

A checklist before the age limit catches you

  1. Write down your age and the entry limits above for the products you are considering.
  2. Decide whether you need guaranteed acceptance (no health questions) or can apply for underwritten cover.
  3. If you are near a limit, ask an adviser whether applying now beats waiting a year.
  4. Check which premium structure you are taking and what it costs at 60, 70 and 75.
  5. Read the first-years rules (24 months or 2 years) so you know when the full benefit starts.

The guaranteed acceptance eligibility checker tests product age limits, and the buttons on this page open Momentum's online application, with each button labelled with its age range.

Who is behind this page

Advice is provided by Craig Smith Business Services Limited, trading as Smiths Insurance & KiwiSaver, a licensed Financial Advice Provider (FSP712931). This is general information, not advice. QuoteHub is a Momentum Life partner, and Smiths Insurance & KiwiSaver may receive a commission if you buy a Momentum policy through our link; see how we are paid. Momentum Life Limited has an A.M. Best financial strength rating of B (Fair), affirmed on 11 February 2026. Momentum's own table groups B in a "Vulnerable" range, and the rating is not a recommendation; see its financial strength page. Read more at the Quick Life and Funeral Cover pages.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an age limit for life insurance in NZ?

Yes, an entry limit. Fidelity Life's is 75, AIA's and Chubb's life cover is 70, Momentum's Quick Life is 65 and its Funeral Insurance is 75.

Does life insurance expire at a certain age?

On the products checked, no expiry age is published for Fidelity, AIA Life Cover or Chubb's life cover, and Momentum's products continue for life. Accidental Death cover from AIA expires at 65.

How old is too old to get life insurance?

Over 75 the choices narrow sharply: Momentum has no product, and a few insurers publish funeral cover to 79 or 80.

Can I get a Momentum policy at 70?

Funeral Insurance accepts ages 40 to 75, so yes at 70. Quick Life closed to new applicants at 65.

References

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