SunLife Over 50 Plan Review

The SunLife Over 50 Plan is the UK’s best-known over-50s life insurance policy. Open to anyone aged 49 to 85, it offers guaranteed acceptance with no health questions, a fixed monthly premium, and a guaranteed cash payout when you die. For many, it’s a simple way to leave something behind for family or help pay towards funeral costs. But while it’s popular, it’s important to understand how it works and the pros and cons of this type of policy.

Over 50s life insurance is designed for people aged 50 to 80 who want to leave a guaranteed cash sum when they die. As long as you keep up with your monthly premiums, the policy pays out a lump sum to your chosen beneficiaries. This money can help with funeral costs, settle outstanding bills, or simply provide a financial gift.

At a Glance

• Eligibility: UK residents aged 49–85, guaranteed acceptance.

• Medical: No medical questions required.

• Premiums: Start from £4/month.

• Payout: From £500 to £18,000, depending on your age, smoking status, and premium chosen. 

• Payment duration: Pay until age 95, then stop — but your cover continues for life.

• Cover start: After 1 year (accidental death covered immediately).

• Extras: £250 Funeral Benefit Option (via Dignity Funerals).

• Regulation: FCA regulated; 5★ Defaqto rating; 100% of claims paid.

• Trustpilot: 4.8★ (20,000+ reviews).

How It Works

• Apply online or by phone – guaranteed acceptance if you’re aged 49–85.

• Choose your monthly premium – starting at £4; premiums are fixed and never increase.

• Cover starts after 12 months – if you die in the first year, premiums are refunded (except accidental death, which is covered immediately).

• Cash payout – when you die (or when payments stop at 95), your family receives a tax-free lump sum. Most claims are paid within 3–5 working days of receiving the completed claim form and documents.

• Use of payout – can go towards funeral costs or be left as a cash gift.

Pricing Examples (Non-Smoker, £20/month premium)

💡 The younger you are when you take out the plan, the higher the payout for the same monthly premium.

Pros & Cons

✅ Pros

• Guaranteed acceptance, no medical questions.

• Fixed monthly premiums that never rise.

• Immediate cover for accidental death.

• 5★ Defaqto rating; FCA regulated.

• Funeral Benefit Option (£250 towards funeral costs if arranged with Dignity).

• Cover continues for life even after payments stop at 95.

❌ Cons

• You may pay in more than the payout if you live a long time

• If you miss a single payment you will lose your cover.

• Over 50’s Insurance payout may not cover full funeral costs.

• Only pays a cash sum, no broader life cover.

• Cancellation after 30 days means you lose any money paid in.

Why People Choose SunLife

• Simplicity: Easy to apply with no health checks.

• Certainty: Fixed premiums and guaranteed payout.

• Reputation: SunLife is the UK’s leading over-50s provider, trusted by millions.

• Extras: Funeral Benefit and small incentives like free gift vouchers.*

*Accurate at the time of publication.

Important to Know

• Cover starts fully after 12 months (except accidental death).

• You must keep paying until 95; stopping early means losing cover.

• Payouts are capped and can be lower than total premiums if you live many years.

• £250 Funeral Benefit Option: this contribution is automatically paid to Dignity Funerals if you use them to arrange the funeral. This is not a cash payment to your family.

• The cash sum is fixed, which means its real value will reduce over time due to inflation
   

What Do Customers Say?

SunLife holds a Trustpilot rating of 4.8★ from over 20,000 reviews. Customers highlight simplicity of application, helpful staff, and affordable premium payments.

“Extremely user-friendly to choose the right plan … All the information needed was either on the application or one-click away.” — Jackie, Trustpilot

“I am happy to have SunLife policies. They treat their customers very kindly … I always feel secure and well protected.” — Mongiwa, Trustpilot

“Quick and easy to do and you can choose monthly payments that suit you.” — Debbie, Trustpilot.

Comparison: SunLife vs. Competitors

The tables below compare the main features of Over 50s life insurance plans from leading UK providers, followed by example payouts at £20 per month. 

This lets you see at a glance how eligibility, cover start times, extras and customer satisfaction compare, as well as what level of cash sum you might expect at different ages. All plans pay a fixed cash sum, so the real value of your payout may reduce over time due to inflation.

*Accurate at time of writing. Please check individual providers.

Example Payouts:

*Shepherds Friendly brochure cites £6,404 at £23/month, age 65, we’ve aligned this to £20/month equivalents using policy illustrations to help create a standardised comparison.

SunLife Scorecard

Average Rating: 4.3/5.

Conclusion

The SunLife Over 50 Plan remains the UK’s most popular choice for people who want simple, guaranteed life cover without medical questions. It’s particularly suited to those looking for peace of mind that their loved ones will receive a guaranteed amount, fixed price premiums, and the certainty of having a policy with a trusted brand.

This type of plan does have limits: payouts are capped, inflation may reduce their value if the sum needs to be used to cover funeral costs, and you could end up paying in more than you get out if you live a long life.

For many, the certainty and simplicity SunLife provides makes it a very strong option if your priority is leaving a gift for those closest to you or leaving a contribution towards funeral costs without having to jump through hoops and answer medical questionnaires.