How long should my life insurance term be (10, 20, 30 years)?

Choosing a coverage amount for your life insurance is one decision. Choosing how long you need that coverage? That's equally important—and often trickier to figure out. Should you go with a 10-year term, a 20-year term, or commit to 30 years of coverage?

The right answer depends entirely on your financial timeline, your responsibilities, and what you're trying to protect. Let's walk through how to think about term length so you can make the decision that fits your life.

Understanding what you're protecting

Before selecting a term length, get clear on what financial responsibilities you're covering. Term life insurance is designed to replace your income and cover obligations during the years your loved ones would be financially vulnerable without you.

Consider Marcus, a 28-year-old teacher who just bought his first home with a 30-year mortgage. He's also planning to start a family in the next couple of years. Marcus is protecting against two major financial needs: his mortgage and his future children's dependency on his income.

Meanwhile, Sofia, a 35-year-old consultant, has two young children (ages 3 and 5) and a 20-year mortgage. She's thinking about coverage that will last until her kids finish college and her mortgage is paid off.

Marcus and Sofia have different timelines, which means they need different term lengths—even though they're both protecting similar things.

The 10-year term: Short-term protection

A 10-year term makes sense when your need for coverage is relatively brief or you're on a tight budget but still want meaningful protection.

Who should consider a 10-year term:

• You have a specific debt (like a business loan) that will be paid off within a decade
• You're in your 50s and want affordable coverage until retirement
• You expect a significant financial change soon (inheritance, business sale, etc.)
• Your children are already teenagers and will be financially independent soon
• You want temporary coverage to supplement employer-provided insurance

Take Jason, a 42-year-old with teenage kids (ages 15 and 17). His primary concern is making sure there's money for college if something happens to him. A 10-year term gives him affordable coverage through their college years without paying for decades of protection he won't need.

The tradeoff: While 10-year terms have the lowest premiums, you're not covered beyond that decade. If you still need insurance after the term ends, you'll need to reapply—and your rates will be based on your age and health at that time, which means significantly higher premiums.

The 20-year term: The popular middle ground

Twenty-year terms are the most common choice for young professionals and growing families. It's enough time to cover major financial milestones without overcommitting.

Who should consider a 20-year term:

• New parents with young children
• Homebuyers with 15-30 year mortgages
• Professionals in their late 20s or early 30s planning their family's future
• Anyone with 15-20 years until their major debts are paid off

Consider Rachel and Tom, both 31, with a 2-year-old daughter and a 25-year mortgage. They chose a 20-year term policy. Here's their reasoning:

In 20 years, their daughter will be 22—likely finished with college and financially independent. Their mortgage will be nearly paid off. Tom's career will be well-established, and they'll have built significant savings. While they might still want some life insurance at that point, their need will be dramatically reduced.

A 20-year term covers their highest-risk period—when their financial responsibilities are greatest and their assets are lowest—at an affordable premium.

The 30-year term: Maximum long-term protection

Thirty-year terms provide the longest coverage period and lock in your premium for three decades. While more expensive than shorter terms, they offer maximum protection and rate stability.

Who should consider a 30-year term:

• Young parents with newborns or very young children
• Homeowners with 30-year mortgages
• Single-income families who need extra security
• People who want to lock in today's low rates for as long as possible
• Anyone planning for a child's full dependency period (birth through college)

Maya, a 27-year-old architect expecting her first child, chose a 30-year, $750,000 policy. By the time the term ends, she'll be 57, her child will be 30, and her mortgage will be long paid off. She locked in an incredibly low premium—just $52 per month—because she applied young and healthy.

If Maya had waited until she was 35 to get a 30-year policy, that same coverage would cost roughly $85 per month. By choosing the longer term now, she's saving money and securing protection through her child's entire dependency period.

The consideration: Thirty-year terms have higher premiums than 10 or 20-year terms (though still very affordable when you're young). You're also committing to coverage you might not need in the final years.

How to calculate your ideal term length

Here's a practical framework for determining your term length:

Step 1: Identify your longest-running financial obligation

Look at your mortgage, other debts, and your children's ages. When will your youngest child be financially independent? When will your mortgage be paid off? The latest of these dates gives you a baseline.

Step 2: Add a buffer

Life rarely goes exactly according to plan. Kids might need support longer than expected. You might help with a wedding or a first home down payment. Consider adding 3-5 years to your baseline number.

Step 3: Consider your age

If you're under 35, a 30-year term often makes sense—you can lock in low rates for decades. If you're in your 40s, a 20-year term might better match your timeline to retirement. If you're over 50, a 10-year term could provide the bridge coverage you need.

Step 4: Match the term to your budget

Get quotes for different term lengths. Sometimes the difference between a 20-year and 30-year term is just $15-20 per month. That small difference might be worth it for the extra decade of protection.

Can you have multiple policies with different terms?

Absolutely! This strategy, called "laddering," can be smart for complex financial situations.

For example, David, a 33-year-old with $400,000 in mortgage debt and two young kids, bought:

• A 30-year, $500,000 policy to cover his children's dependency years
• A 20-year, $400,000 policy to cover his mortgage

His total coverage now is $900,000. In 20 years, when the mortgage is paid off, his second policy expires, and he's left with $500,000 in coverage for the remaining 10 years—perfectly matched to his needs.

The Evoro Life difference

At Evoro Life, we make it easy to compare term lengths side-by-side. Our instant quote tool shows you the exact premium for 10, 20, and 30-year terms, so you can see how your choice affects both your monthly budget and your total protection.

We offer flexible coverage from $100,000 to $2 million, with terms designed to match your life stage. And because we're a digital-first company, you can explore all your options, adjust coverage amounts, and see real-time pricing without talking to a sales agent.

Understanding the basics of term life insurance is the first step. Choosing the right term length is about matching that coverage to your unique financial timeline.

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