Gerber Life Burial Insurance Review (2026): Pros & Cons
Published on June 3, 2026 last updated on July 1, 2026Key takeaways
- True guaranteed acceptance — no one is declined.
- Premiums are locked for life; a trusted household brand.
- 2-year waiting period on the guaranteed-issue plan.
- Modest coverage; higher cost per $1,000 than simplified issue.
Gerber Life’s senior product — Guaranteed Life Insurance — is straightforward guaranteed-acceptance whole life for ages 50–80: no health questions, no medical exam, and clear $5,000–$25,000 coverage from a trusted, financially strong brand. The catch is the one every guaranteed-issue plan shares — a 2-year waiting period — so it’s best for seniors who can’t qualify for day-one coverage elsewhere.
- Financial strength
- A (Excellent), A.M. Best
- Parent company
- Western & Southern Financial Group
- Plan type
- Guaranteed acceptance whole life
- Issue ages
- 50–80 (50–75 in New York)
- Coverage
- $5,000–$25,000 ($15k max in SD)
- Health questions
- None — cannot be declined
- Waiting period
- 2 years (110% of premiums returned)
- Best for
- Those who can’t qualify for day-one coverage
How Gerber’s Guaranteed Life plan works
Gerber Life’s Guaranteed Life is a whole life policy with modified benefits for seniors 50–80. There are no health questions and no exam — acceptance is guaranteed. Coverage is clear and flat ($5,000 to $25,000), which makes it easier to understand than unit-based plans. Premiums never increase, coverage never expires, and the policy builds cash value.
Because it’s guaranteed issue, it carries a 2-year waiting period: if you die from natural causes within the first 24 months, your beneficiary receives 110% of the premiums you paid rather than the full benefit (one year in North Dakota). Accidental death is covered in full from day one, and after two years the full benefit applies for any cause.
Pros and cons
Strengths
- Guaranteed acceptance — no health questions, no one 50–80 is turned away
- Transparent coverage — clear $5k–$25k amounts, not confusing units
- Trusted brand backed by Western & Southern; strong A.M. Best rating
- Premiums locked for life; builds cash value
- Available in New York (ages 50–75)
Trade-offs
- 2-year waiting period applies to everyone, even healthy buyers
- Costs more than simplified-issue day-one plans
- Coverage capped at $25,000
- No coverage above age 80
- Primarily a direct/online brand; phone wait times can be long
When Gerber is the right call — and when it isn’t
If serious health rules out day-one carriers, Gerber is a clean, trustworthy guaranteed-issue option with transparent coverage. But if you can answer a few health questions, a simplified-issue plan will usually give you the full benefit from day one at a lower price — no 2-year wait. We place Gerber and 25+ other carriers, so we’ll only point you here if it’s genuinely your best fit.
Gerber Guaranteed Life rates
Guaranteed-issue rates are based on age, gender, and coverage amount (no health tiers). Below are typical monthly premiums for $10,000 of coverage, non-tobacco.
| Age | Female | Male |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | $30 | $36 |
| 55 | $34 | $43 |
| 60 | $40 | $52 |
| 65 | $50 | $66 |
| 70 | $68 | $90 |
| 75 | $96 | $128 |
| 80 | $135 | $180 |
Figures are for $10,000 of coverage, non-tobacco; higher coverage scales up, and tobacco rates run higher. Confirm current figures with the carrier before you apply.
Who Gerber is best for
Gerber’s Guaranteed Life fits seniors who’ve been declined elsewhere or have serious conditions that make day-one underwriting unlikely, and who want a recognizable, financially strong brand with clear coverage amounts. If your health is manageable, compare a simplified-issue plan like Aetna first — you’ll likely pay less and skip the waiting period.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gerber Life good for burial insurance?
It can be — for seniors who can’t qualify for day-one coverage. Gerber’s Guaranteed Life offers guaranteed acceptance, transparent $5k–$25k coverage, and a strong brand. But it has a 2-year waiting period and costs more than simplified-issue plans, so most healthy seniors do better elsewhere.
Does Gerber Life have a waiting period?
Yes. The Guaranteed Life plan has a 2-year waiting period: natural death in the first 24 months returns 110% of premiums paid; accidental death is covered from day one; the full benefit applies after two years.
How much coverage can I get?
Between $5,000 and $25,000 (up to $15,000 in South Dakota), for applicants ages 50–80 (50–75 in New York). The $25,000 limit applies across all combined Gerber Guaranteed Life policies.
Is Gerber only for children’s insurance?
No. Gerber is best known for its children’s Grow-Up Plan, but it also offers Guaranteed Life for seniors 50–80 — a separate final expense product with its own (higher) pricing.
Estimates only and not an offer of coverage. Gerber Life Guaranteed Life is whole life with modified benefits; non-accidental death in the first two years returns 110% of premiums paid. Product features, availability, and rates vary by state and applicant and are confirmed by the insurer at application. TheBurialInsurance.com is an independent brokerage compensated by the carriers, never by you, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency.
Pros
- True guaranteed acceptance (no decline).
- Premiums locked for life.
- Trusted household brand.
Cons
- 2-year wait on the guaranteed-issue plan.
- Modest coverage.
- Higher cost per $1,000 than simplified issue.
The bottom line
Gerber Life is a recognizable brand offering guaranteed acceptance — a fit for those who can’t qualify elsewhere. If your health allows, a simplified-issue day-one policy usually costs less.
Reviewed by Phillip Chin, Licensed Insurance Broker · NPN #8895251 · helping families find final expense coverage since 2008. Independent and appointed with 25+ A-rated carriers. Verify at nipr.com.