Notifications from Aflac

We care about Aflac’s policyholders affected by the recent wildfires:

To help provide relief for California policyholders residing in Tuolumne and Calaveras Counties affected by the Lightning ignited fires, Aflac will provide a premium grace period starting Sept. 2, 2025, and ending Nov. 18, 2025. This grace period also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the policy. Aflac will provide a replacement copy of the policy upon request by the policyholder.

For Network Dental and Vision Members:

This grace period also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims; relaxation of prior authorization, precertification, and referral requirements; access to appropriate out-of-network providers due to unavailability on in-network providers or the members’ displacement; and leniency for any other action required under the certificate. A replacement copy of the certificate will be provided upon request by the certificate holder. Affected members should contact Aflac Benefit Solutions (formerly Argus Dental and Vision) at 855-819-1873, Option 1, for assistance.


We care about Aflac’s policyholders affected by the recent wildfires:

To help provide relief for Utah policyholders residing in Utah who were affected by the wildfires, Aflac will provide a premium grace period starting July 31, 2025, and ending Sept. 29, 2025. This grace period also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the policy. Aflac will provide a replacement copy of the policy upon request by the policyholder.

For Network Dental and Vision Members:

This grace period also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims; relaxation of prior authorization, precertification, and referral requirements; access to appropriate out-of-network providers due to unavailability on in-network providers or the members’ displacement; and leniency for any other action required under the certificate. A replacement copy of the certificate will be provided upon request by the certificate holder. Affected members should contact Aflac Benefit Solutions (formerly Argus Dental and Vision) at 855-819-1873, Option 1, for assistance.


We care about Aflac’s policyholders affected by the recent weather:

To help provide relief for California policyholders residing in Humboldt, Mendocino, Modoc, Napa, Shasta, Sonoma, and Trinity Counties affected by the winter storms, Aflac will provide a premium grace period starting Jan. 31, 2025, and ending Sept. 29, 2025. This grace period also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the policy. Aflac will provide a replacement copy of the policy upon request by the policyholder.

For Network Dental and Vision Members:

This grace period also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims; relaxation of prior authorization, precertification, and referral requirements; access to appropriate out-of-network providers due to unavailability on in-network providers or the members’ displacement; and leniency for any other action required under the certificate. A replacement copy of the certificate will be provided upon request by the certificate holder. Affected members should contact Aflac Benefit Solutions (formerly Argus Dental and Vision) at 855-819-1873, Option 1, for assistance.


We care about Aflac’s policyholders affected by the recent wildfires:

To help provide relief for Oregon policyholders residing in Oregon who were affected by the wildfires, Aflac will provide a premium grace period starting July 16, 2025, and ending Sept. 15, 2025. This grace period also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the policy. Aflac will provide a replacement copy of the policy upon request by the policyholder.

For Network Dental and Vision Members:

This grace period also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims; relaxation of prior authorization, precertification, and referral requirements; access to appropriate out-of-network providers due to unavailability on in-network providers or the members’ displacement; and leniency for any other action required under the certificate. A replacement copy of the certificate will be provided upon request by the certificate holder. Affected members should contact Aflac Benefit Solutions (formerly Argus Dental and Vision) at 855-819-1873, Option 1, for assistance.


We care about Aflac’s policyholders affected by the recent wildfires:

To provide relief for New Mexico policyholiders and/or certificate holders residing in Grant County and affected by the Trout Fire, Aflac will provide the following protections for policyholders and/or certificate holders: Provide an extended premium grace period from Thursday, Jun. 12, 2025 through Monday, Sep. 15, 2025. Offer policyholders and/or certificate holders a payment plan of no less than six (6) months if unable to pay the delinquency after the extended day grace period (This applies to all coverages except life.). Work with policyholders and/or certificate holders on premium payments to prevent lapse and cancellation of policies. Waive late fees and penalties. Waive early refill time limits on active prescriptions. Allow additional time for actions required under the policy and/or certificate and the submission of documents due to limited access to service and mobility. Provide an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the policy and/or certificate. Provide a copy of the policy and/or certificate to the policyholder and/or certificate holder upon request.

In addition to the above, Aflac through Aflac Benefits Solutions will provide the following protections for Network Dental and Vision members and providers: Waive cost sharing and deductibles. Permit one eyeglass or contact lens replacement and one hearing aid replacement during the pendency of the Emergency Order, waiving frequency limitations. Permit one replacement for dentures or other prosthodontic devices during the pendency of this Emergency Order, waiving frequency limits. Waive additional fees, charges, referrals, eligibility and prior authorization requirements for medically necessary services, whether emergent or not. This applies to benefits and services obtained from both in- and out-of-network providers. Extend medical providers' reporting requirements for claims submissions and for additional information relating to claims. Fully reimburse out-of-network providers at the usual, customary, and reasonable rate.

Affected members should contact Aflac Dental and Vision (formerly Argus Dental and Vision) at 855-819-1873, option 1, for assistance.


We care about Aflac’s policyholders affected by the recent weather:

To help provide relief for California policyholders residing in Trinity County affected by the Dec. 15, 2024, and Dec. 29, 2024, winter storms, Aflac will provide billing leniency for impacted insureds, an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the policy. Aflac will provide a replacement copy of the policy upon request by the policyholder. Affected members should contact Aflac at 800-992-3522 for assistance.

For Network Dental and Vision Members:

This also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the certificate. Affected members are not required to obtain prior approval when accessing appropriate out-of-network providers when in-network providers are unavailable. The cost-sharing for out-of-network will be in amount equal to cost-sharing affected members would have paid for the provision of that service in-network. A replacement copy of the certificate will be provided upon request by the certificate holder. Affected members should contact Aflac Benefit Solutions (formerly Argus Dental and Vision) at 855-819-1873, Option 1, for assistance.


We care about Aflac’s policyholders affected by the recent levee failure:

To help provide relief for California policyholders residing in San Joaquin County affected by the Oct. 21, 2024, Victoria Island Levee failure, Aflac will provide billing leniency for impacted insureds, an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the policy. Aflac will provide a replacement copy of the policy upon request by the policyholder. Affected members should contact Aflac at 800-992-3522 for assistance.

For Network Dental and Vision Members:

This also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the certificate. Affected members are not required to obtain prior approval when accessing appropriate out-of-network providers when in-network providers are unavailable. The cost-sharing for out-of-network will be in amount equal to cost-sharing affected members would have paid for the provision of that service in-network. A replacement copy of the certificate will be provided upon request by the certificate holder. Affected members should contact Aflac Benefit Solutions (formerly Argus Dental and Vision) at 855-819-1873, Option 1, for assistance.


We care about Aflac’s policyholders affected by the recent wildfires:

To help provide relief for California policyholders residing in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties affected by the wildfires, Aflac will provide billing leniency for impacted insureds, an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the policy. Aflac will provide a replacement copy of the policy upon request by the policyholder. Affected members should contact Aflac at 800-992-3522 for assistance.

For Network Dental and Vision Members:

This also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the certificate. Affected members are not required to obtain prior approval when accessing appropriate out-of-network providers when in-network providers are unavailable. The cost-sharing for out-of-network will be in amount equal to cost-sharing affected members would have paid for the provision of that service in-network. A replacement copy of the certificate will be provided upon request by the certificate holder. Affected members should contact Aflac Benefit Solutions (formerly Argus Dental and Vision) at 855-819-1873, Option 1, for assistance.


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Life Insurance Premiums | What is a Life Insurance Premium?

How would your loved ones fare if they lost a pillar of the family? Aflac’s life insurance is meant to help protect their financial future with coverage designed to best fit your personal needs.

The fundamental parts of a life insurance policy are premiums, the death benefit, and in some cases, the cash value. Understanding how each component works can help you decide if life insurance is the right choice for you. Read on to discover what life insurance premiums are, how they are calculated, how much life insurance can cost, and whether premiums are tax-deductible.

4 Min Read

What is a Life Insurance Premium?

A life insurance premium is a payment made to the insurance company that keeps the policy active. Without this payment, the policy will lapse, and the coverage will come to an end.1 Paying life insurance premiums helps allow your beneficiary to receive the death benefit later. Without these payments, the death benefit is not guaranteed, and you may have to surrender the policy.

Life insurance premium costs vary, so it is important to understand the frequency and cost of these payments. In some cases, premiums are required monthly, semi-annually, or annually.1 Usually, premium payments will stay constant throughout the life of your policy, but this depends on your specific plan. Level-premium payments, or premiums that stay consistent, are more common in term life insurance plans.2

How much does life insurance cost?

The cost of life insurance can vary based on factors like your age, health, and smoking status. Additionally, policy type and coverage level you have can affect the premiums you’ll pay. For instance, permanent life insurance policies, such as whole and universal life insurance, can come with higher premiums than term life insurance since they offer lifelong coverage.

How to Calculate Life Insurance Premiums

There are a few factors that can help you understand how to calculate a life insurance premium. As mentioned earlier, average life insurance premium rates vary depending on the type of life insurance policy, your age, your medical history, and the coverage amount. Here’s a closer look at some of these factors:

Type of Policy

Your life insurance premiums may be impacted by the type of policy you choose. At Aflac, we offer Aflac® Life Solutions – Whole Life and Term Life.

Our whole life insurance plans are designed to help cover your entire life cycle and function as a type of permanent life insurance. Aflac’s term life insurance plans offer coverage for a set period, like 10, 20, or 30 years. Depending on the plan and the term length you choose, premiums will fluctuate.

Typically, whole life insurance plans can come with more expensive premiums because they utilize a cash value component and provide coverage for the entire life of the policyholder. Premiums for term life insurance plans tend to cost less than whole life insurance plans.3

Age

Your age can also influence what your premium payments look like. Typically, premiums can become more expensive as you age.4 If you are a senior, you might have a completely different set of coverage options available compared to a young adult.

Premiums are usually less expensive the younger you are, so getting a life insurance policy early in life can help keep costs down.5

Health

In some cases, your medical history may affect what your life insurance premium looks like. Smoking and common family illnesses may impact the premium cost. However, if you are concerned about your medical history, there may be an option to secure a policy without a medical exam. Chat with an agent to see if this option is available for you.

Coverage

Lastly, the amount of coverage you are looking for will change the premium payments. If you are not sure how to navigate finding the right amount of coverage, you can try our life insurance calculator and get a life insurance quote. Usually, the more coverage you want, the higher your premium payments will be, and vice versa.3

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Are Life Insurance Premiums Tax-Deductible?

It is not uncommon to question whether life insurance premiums are tax-deductible. While premiums are typically not tax-deductible, there are a handful of life insurance tax benefits worth exploring.6 For example, if the policy is planned out correctly, most death benefits are paid to the beneficiary without being taxed.6 Tax-deferred cash value growth in our whole life insurance plans is also a major perk.

Choosing the right beneficiary or naming the beneficiary as a trust may also yield certain tax advantages. For instance, naming your beneficiary as an irrevocable life insurance trust can allow you to distribute your death benefit to multiple people and can keep the cash value from being lumped into your estate value, which has a greater chance of being taxed.7

Is life insurance worth the cost?

Life insurance can be worth the cost if you have family members who depend on you financially. The death benefit payout can allow beneficiaries to pay off debts, cover everyday expenses, and more. Consider chatting with a financial advisor if you’re unsure whether life insurance is right for you and your loved ones.

Get life insurance with competitive premiums from Aflac

Now that you know how life insurance premiums work and the factors that affect them, you may be wondering which type of policy is right for you. At Aflac, we will work with you to find a life insurance policy that helps meet your needs. Chatting with an agent can help clarify your financial goals and the future you want to leave behind for your family. Our plans come with competitive premiums and are portable, with options available to help meet your unique lifestyle.

How Life Insurance Works

Once you take out a life insurance policy, you make premium payments to a life insurance company. After you pass away, the company will pay out a lump sum of money known as a death benefit to your beneficiaries. Your beneficiaries can then use the funds for a variety of purposes, such as helping to pay for your funeral, helping to cover everyday expenses, and possibly helping to take care of your remaining debts.

Two common types of life insurance policies are term life insurance and whole life insurance. Whole life insurance offers lifetime coverage, while term life insurance provides protection for a set period of time. 

How are Life Insurance Premiums Determined?

Life insurance costs vary greatly from person to person. Several factors will determine what you’ll pay for life insurance premiums, including: 

  • Age: In general, life insurance is cheaper for younger individuals than seniors. As you get older, getting a policy will become more expensive.

  • Health: The best rates are often reserved for healthy individuals. You may pay more for a policy if you have a pre-existing condition, such as diabetes or heart disease. 

  • Gender: Men tend to pay higher premiums for life insurance than women. This is because men generally have a shorter life expectancy. 

  • Smoking: Smoking can lead to serious health conditions, like cancer, asthma, stroke, and heart attack. For this reason, smokers typically have to pay higher life insurance premiums. 

  • Policy type: Not all life insurance policies are created equal. For instance, term life insurance is usually less costly than whole life insurance since it offers temporary coverage.

How Do Insurance Companies Use Your Life Insurance Premiums?

While every life insurance company is different, many will use your premiums to cover outstanding liabilities and make sure beneficiaries receive the payouts they’re owed when policyholders pass away. 

Premiums may also go toward operating expenses, such as salaries, benefits, and office space. Some life insurance providers might also invest some of the premiums to grow and expand. 

Are Life Insurance Premiums Negotiable?

In most cases, you won’t be able to negotiate your life insurance premiums. But the good news is that you can shop around and compare quotes to find a policy that works well for your budget and goals. You may also reduce your life insurance costs if you improve your health or lower your coverage.

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Learn more about Aflac products for Individuals & Families: