Globe Life vs Gerber Life: Guaranteed-Issue Comparison for Seniors (2026)
Gerber Life is the better guaranteed-issue option for most seniors because premiums are level for life, while Globe Life's premiums increase every five years. Both include a 2-year graded death benefit. However, seniors who can answer a few health questions often qualify for simplified-issue coverage at 20 to 40 percent lower rates (source: Asurgo carrier comparison, June 2026).
Globe Life and Gerber Life are two of the most recognized names in burial insurance. Both sell direct to consumers through TV and mail, and both target seniors who want coverage with no medical exam. But the two carriers structure their costs very differently, and that difference can mean thousands of dollars over the life of a policy. This guide puts both side by side with real rate data. Jump to the rate comparison, the pricing catches, or the FAQ.
The Comparison
Two TV Carriers, Two Very Different Pricing Models
Globe Life and Gerber Life both sell burial insurance directly to consumers through television and direct mail. Both accept applicants with no medical exam, and both are financially stable companies rated A (Excellent) by AM Best. But the way each carrier prices its product creates dramatically different outcomes for policyholders over time.
Globe Life's most popular product is a five-year renewable term policy where premiums increase at every age band. Gerber sells guaranteed-issue whole life with level premiums that never change. That structural difference is the entire comparison in one sentence. Everything else, the $1 first-month offer, the coverage caps, the waiting periods, flows from that core distinction.
I am a licensed insurance specialist (NPN #20817039). Asurgo represents Gerber Life and can place Gerber guaranteed-issue policies, but we do not sell Globe Life. This comparison uses publicly available rate data for Globe Life and Gerber's published rate card alongside Asurgo's own carrier illustrations for the independent alternatives. For the individual reviews, see our Globe Life review and Gerber Life review. For broader context, start with final expense insurance.
The Bottom Line
Quick Answer: Globe Life or Gerber Life?
Gerber wins on pricing stability. Gerber's Guaranteed Life Insurance has level premiums that never increase. A 65-year-old woman pays $62.61 per month for $10,000 and that rate is locked forever. Globe Life's most popular term product starts lower (roughly $30 per month at 65) but increases every five years and may terminate before you need it most.
Globe Life offers more product variety. Globe Life sells term, whole life, and final expense products with coverage amounts up to $100,000. Gerber's senior product is a single guaranteed-issue whole life plan capped at $25,000. If you need higher coverage amounts or temporary coverage, Globe Life has more options.
Both are outpriced by simplified-issue alternatives. Mutual of Omaha charges $41 per month for the same $10,000 at age 65, with day-one full coverage, no rate increases, and no waiting period. Most seniors qualify by answering a short set of health questions. The most important question is not "Globe Life or Gerber?" but "do I even need guaranteed issue?"
Head to Head
Side-by-Side Comparison: Globe Life vs Gerber Life
| Feature | Globe Life | Gerber Life |
|---|---|---|
| Product types | Term, whole life, final expense | Guaranteed-issue whole life |
| Pricing model | Standard premium + $1 first-month promo | Level premium, locked for life |
| Rate increases | Yes (term: every 5 years) | No, never |
| Medical exam | No | No |
| Health questions | Varies by product | None (guaranteed acceptance) |
| Issue ages | 18-85 | 50-80 |
| Coverage range | $5,000-$100,000 (term) | $5,000-$25,000 |
| Waiting period | 2-year graded (some products) | 2-year graded (all policies) |
| $1 first-month offer | Yes | No |
| AM Best rating | A (Excellent) | A (Excellent) |
| Coverage permanence | Term may expire at 80-90 | Permanent, never expires |
The fundamental difference is in how each carrier structures costs over time. Gerber locks your premium in from day one. Globe Life's most popular product starts with a lower premium that increases every five years, and the coverage itself may not last your entire life. Both carry the same A (Excellent) AM Best rating, so financial stability is not a differentiator. The decision comes down to whether you value a lower starting price or long-term cost certainty.
The Numbers
Rate Comparison: What You Actually Pay
Globe Life and Gerber Life are rarely shown alongside independent carriers. This table includes Mutual of Omaha so you can see what simplified-issue alternatives cost for the same $10,000 of coverage.
Monthly Cost for $10,000, Female Non-Tobacco
| Age | Globe Life (initial)* | Gerber Life (GI) | Mutual of Omaha (SI) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | ~$22/mo* | $51.06/mo | $33/mo |
| 65 | ~$30/mo* | $62.61/mo | $41/mo |
| 70 | ~$40/mo* | $75.53/mo | $53/mo |
| 75 | varies* | $108.17/mo | $72/mo |
| 80 | varies* | $176.37/mo | $98/mo |
What the Rates Show
Three patterns emerge from this comparison:
- Globe Life looks cheapest in year one. At every age, Globe Life's initial term premium is the lowest number in the table. At 65, a woman pays roughly $30 per month compared to Gerber's $62.61. But those Globe Life rates increase every five years, and coverage may terminate entirely.
- Gerber is more expensive but predictable. Gerber's $62.61 at age 65 is the same rate at 75, 85, and beyond. For seniors on fixed incomes, knowing exactly what your insurance costs every month has real value. But at $62.61 versus $41, Gerber is also 53% more expensive than simplified-issue alternatives.
- Mutual of Omaha is the long-term winner for most seniors. At $41 per month at age 65, MoO costs 34% less than Gerber and includes day-one coverage with no waiting period. The premium is locked for life and the policy never expires. Most seniors qualify.
See what you actually qualify for
Most seniors qualify for simplified-issue coverage that costs less than both Globe Life and Gerber Life. One call, 25+ carriers, no obligation.
What the Ads Leave Out
The Pricing Catches: Globe Life's $1 Offer vs Gerber's Level Rates
Globe Life's $1 First-Month Offer and Rate Increases
Globe Life's $1 first-month offer is a promotional price. Full premiums begin in month two. For a 65-year-old woman on $10,000 of term coverage, the standard premium is typically $25 to $35 per month after the promotional month.
The bigger issue is the rate structure. Globe Life's most popular product is five-year renewable term life. Premiums increase every five years as you enter new age bands. A policy that costs roughly $30 per month at age 65 could cost $50 to $65 per month by age 75 and $90 to $120 per month by age 85. Many seniors on fixed incomes cannot absorb these increases and drop the policy, losing all premiums paid. Coverage may also terminate entirely between ages 80 and 90. For the full breakdown, see our Globe Life review.
Gerber's Level Premium Advantage
Gerber's Guaranteed Life Insurance has level premiums that never increase for the life of the policy. A 65-year-old woman who locks in at $62.61 per month pays that same amount at 75, 85, and beyond. For seniors on fixed incomes, this predictability is a genuine advantage over Globe Life's step-rate pricing.
The trade-off is that Gerber's premiums start higher than both Globe Life's initial rates and simplified-issue alternatives. At age 65, Gerber's $62.61 is roughly double Globe Life's starting rate and 53% more than Mutual of Omaha's $41. That premium gap is the cost of guaranteed acceptance. For seniors who can answer a few health questions, simplified-issue coverage is almost always the better value. For details on Gerber's product, see our Gerber Life review.
The Waiting Period
The 2-Year Waiting Period: Both Have It
Both Globe Life and Gerber Life include a 2-year graded death benefit period on their guaranteed-issue products. During this period, if the policyholder dies from non-accidental causes, beneficiaries receive a return of premiums paid (Gerber adds 10% interest) rather than the full death benefit. Accidental death is covered in full from day one with both carriers.
This waiting period is standard across all guaranteed-issue life insurance products, not something unique to these two carriers. Colonial Penn, AARP, and every other guaranteed acceptance carrier uses a similar 2-year graded structure. The waiting period exists because the carrier is accepting you without knowing anything about your health. That trade-off is inherent to the product type.
If avoiding the waiting period is a priority, the solution is not a different guaranteed-issue carrier. It is qualifying for a simplified-issue policy, which pays the full death benefit from day one. Most seniors qualify. See our burial insurance with no waiting period guide for details.
The Long-Term Math
Cumulative Cost Over 15 Years (65-Year-Old Female, $10,000)
Monthly differences compound. This table shows what a 65-year-old non-smoking woman pays in total over time from each carrier.
| Timeframe | Globe Life (est.) | Gerber Life | Mutual of Omaha |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ~$360 | $751 | $492 |
| Year 5 | ~$1,800 | $3,757 | $2,460 |
| Year 10 | ~$5,100 | $7,513 | $4,920 |
| Year 15 | ~$9,900 | $11,270 | $7,380 |
Globe Life is the cheapest option for the first five years. By year 10, its cumulative cost has passed Mutual of Omaha and is approaching Gerber. By year 15, Globe Life has nearly caught Gerber at roughly $9,900 versus $11,270, and the Globe Life policy may be approaching termination while Gerber's coverage continues permanently.
Mutual of Omaha remains the cheapest total cost at every timeframe and includes day-one coverage with no waiting period. The 15-year savings versus Gerber is $3,890. Versus Globe Life's estimated total, MoO saves roughly $2,520 by year 15, and the MoO policy is permanent with no risk of termination.
The Third Option
The Better Option for Most Seniors
Most seniors comparing Globe Life and Gerber Life do not realize that simplified-issue whole life exists. These are permanent policies from carriers like Mutual of Omaha that cost significantly less, pay from day one, and never increase. They require answering a few health questions over the phone, but no medical exam.
Roughly 70 to 80 percent of seniors qualify for simplified issue. Conditions like Type 2 diabetes on oral medication, high blood pressure, and a history of cancer in remission are routinely accepted. The health questions filter out a small percentage of applicants, and that filtering is what keeps the premiums low for everyone who qualifies.
Here is the comparison at age 65 for a non-smoking woman buying $10,000:
- Globe Life: ~$30/month initially, increases every 5 years, coverage may terminate
- Gerber Life: $62.61/month, locked forever, 2-year waiting period, coverage never expires
- Mutual of Omaha: $41/month, locked forever, day-one full coverage, never expires
Mutual of Omaha costs 34% less than Gerber for the same coverage, and it pays the full benefit from day one instead of requiring a 2-year wait. For the full Mutual of Omaha breakdown, see our Mutual of Omaha review. For a broader look at independent carrier options, start with final expense insurance.
Check if you qualify for simplified issue
Most seniors qualify for coverage that beats both Globe Life and Gerber Life on price. We can also place Gerber policies for seniors who need guaranteed acceptance.
When Globe Life Fits
Who Should Choose Globe Life
Globe Life may make sense in a narrow set of situations:
- You are over 80, which puts you outside Gerber's issue age range (50-80)
- You specifically want term coverage with high face amounts (up to $100,000) that exceed what most final expense carriers offer
- You need temporary, low-cost coverage as a bridge while your health improves for simplified-issue qualification
- You understand that premiums will increase every five years and plan to replace the policy before the term expires
For most seniors over 60 who need permanent burial coverage, Globe Life's step-rate term is not the right product. See our full Globe Life review for the detailed breakdown.
When Gerber Fits
Who Should Choose Gerber Life
Gerber's Guaranteed Life Insurance is a reasonable choice when:
- You have been declined by every simplified-issue carrier due to serious health conditions
- You need guaranteed acceptance with absolutely no health questions
- You want premiums that are locked in for life and coverage that never expires
- You are between ages 50 and 80 and need $5,000 to $25,000 in coverage
Before choosing Gerber, check whether you qualify for simplified-issue coverage first. Many seniors assume their health disqualifies them when it does not. Common conditions like Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and managed heart conditions are accepted by simplified-issue carriers. An independent broker checks eligibility across 25+ carriers at no cost. See our full Gerber Life review for details.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Globe Life or Gerber Life better for seniors?
For most seniors who need guaranteed-issue coverage, Gerber Life is the better choice because premiums are locked in for life. Globe Life's most popular product has step-rate premiums that increase every five years, and coverage may terminate at age 80 to 90. Both include a 2-year graded death benefit period. However, most seniors qualify for simplified-issue coverage from carriers like Mutual of Omaha, which costs 20 to 40 percent less than either option.
Do Globe Life premiums increase?
Yes. Globe Life's most popular term product has step-rate premiums that increase every five years as you enter new age bands. A policy that costs roughly $30 per month at age 65 could cost $50 to $65 per month by age 75 and $90 to $120 per month by age 85, if the policy has not already terminated. Globe Life does offer a separate whole life product with level premiums, but it is not what is primarily marketed through their TV and mail campaigns.
Are Gerber Life premiums locked in?
Yes. Gerber's Guaranteed Life Insurance has level premiums that never increase for the life of the policy. A 65-year-old woman who pays $62.61 per month today will pay $62.61 per month at age 75, 85, and beyond. The trade-off for this guarantee is that Gerber's premiums start higher than Globe Life's initial rates and simplified-issue alternatives.
What is Globe Life's $1 first-month offer?
Globe Life's $1 first-month offer is a promotional price. You pay $1 for the first month of coverage, then full premiums begin in month two. The actual monthly cost depends on your age, gender, and coverage amount. For a 65-year-old woman seeking $10,000 of term coverage, the standard premium is typically $25 to $35 per month after the first month.
Does Gerber Life require health questions?
No. Gerber's Guaranteed Life Insurance is guaranteed acceptance with no health questions and no medical exam. Everyone ages 50 to 80 is accepted regardless of health conditions. The trade-off is a 2-year graded death benefit waiting period and higher premiums compared to simplified-issue alternatives.
What is the waiting period on Globe Life?
Globe Life has a 2-year graded death benefit period on some of its products. During this period, if the policyholder dies from non-accidental causes, beneficiaries receive a return of premiums paid rather than the full death benefit. Accidental death is typically covered from day one. The specific terms vary by product.
What is the waiting period on Gerber Life?
Gerber's Guaranteed Life Insurance has a 2-year graded benefit period. If the policyholder dies from non-accidental causes within the first 2 years, beneficiaries receive a refund of all premiums paid plus 10 percent interest, not the full death benefit. After 2 years, the full benefit is paid. Accidental death is covered in full from day one.
Which has a better financial rating, Globe Life or Gerber Life?
Both carry an A (Excellent) rating from AM Best, indicating strong financial stability and claims-paying ability. Gerber holds an A+ rating from the BBB (not accredited), while Globe Life's NAIC complaint index runs above the national median at approximately 2.7 times expected. Both companies are financially stable and pay claims.
What are cheaper alternatives to Globe Life and Gerber Life?
Simplified-issue whole life carriers like Mutual of Omaha offer the same $10,000 of coverage at significantly lower rates with day-one full coverage and no medical exam. At age 65, Mutual of Omaha charges $41 per month compared to Gerber's $62.61 and Globe Life's approximately $30 initial rate that increases over time. Most seniors qualify for simplified issue by answering a few health questions.
Can I switch from Globe Life to Gerber Life?
Yes. You can purchase a Gerber policy at any time while your Globe Life policy is still active. Once the new Gerber policy is in force, you can cancel Globe Life with no penalty. Keep in mind that Gerber's premiums are based on your current age, so switching sooner locks in a lower rate. Also consider simplified-issue carriers, which may offer even lower rates than Gerber if you qualify.
Related Reading
There is a better option than both.
Globe Life and Gerber Life are familiar names, but familiar does not mean affordable. Most seniors qualify for simplified-issue whole life that costs less, pays from day one, and never increases. Asurgo shops 25+ carriers, including Mutual of Omaha, Transamerica, Aflac, Aetna, AIG, and Gerber, to find the lowest rate for your specific health profile. If you need guaranteed acceptance, we can place Gerber policies directly. Getting a quote takes a few minutes and does not obligate you to buy.
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Nicholas Norminton, Licensed Insurance Specialist
Nicholas is a nationally licensed insurance specialist who has personally helped thousands of clients secure life insurance coverage. He built Asurgo into a trusted, tech-forward brokerage serving clients in all 50 states with access to 25+ carriers. Asurgo represents Gerber Life and can place Gerber guaranteed-issue policies directly. Asurgo does not sell Globe Life policies. Globe Life information in this comparison is based on publicly available rate data and the company's published plan details.
Sources
AM Best (financial strength ratings) · NAIC Consumer Insurance Search (complaint index data) · Better Business Bureau (BBB ratings). Gerber rates from the Gerber Life Guaranteed Life rate card (GL-RC, policy form series ICC12-GWLP / GWLP-12), accessed May 30, 2026. Globe Life rates are approximate, based on the company's published plan details. Mutual of Omaha rates from current Asurgo carrier illustrations, 2026.