What Does the Colonial Penn Life Insurance Rate Chart Really Show in 2026?

When you first see the Colonial Penn Life Insurance Rate Chart, it looks simple enough—especially with the constant promise that “everyone pays just $9.95 a month.” But have you ever wondered why the chart doesn’t actually list coverage amounts, age-based premiums, or typical life insurance rate classes like every other insurer in the country?

Many seniors begin searching for this chart because the advertising makes it seem like a great deal.

But once they start asking deeper questions—
“How much coverage do I get for $9.95?”
“Why does Colonial Penn use ‘units’ instead of real face amounts?”
“Why is it so hard to compare this plan to normal life insurance?”

—things quickly become confusing.

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This isn’t your fault. The product is structured in a way that’s intentionally difficult to compare to standard life insurance. And for many people age 50–85, this confusion leads to paying more money for far less coverage than they expected.

In this guide, we break everything down clearly and transparently:

• How the Colonial Penn rate chart actually works in 2026
• Exactly what one “unit” covers at different ages
• Why the $9.95 slogan often leads seniors to dramatically overpay
• What real-life alternatives offer (with more coverage, lower cost, and no waiting period)

By the time you finish this article, you’ll understand the full picture—so you can decide confidently whether the Colonial Penn 995 plan is worth it, or whether a better option exists for your health and budget.

What the Colonial Penn Life Insurance Rate Chart Really Shows in 2026

Most people look up the Colonial Penn Life Insurance Rate Chart because they want to understand how much coverage they actually get for the famous $9.95 per month offer.

But the truth is this: the chart isn’t a real rate chart at all. Instead of listing coverage amounts and premiums the way legitimate life insurance carriers do, Colonial Penn uses a “unit system”—a pricing method that hides the true cost and creates confusion for seniors trying to compare options.

This guide explains the entire system clearly, reveals why many consumers feel misled by the $9.95 ads, and provides real examples so you can understand exactly what you’re paying for in 2026.

Plan breakdown

Colonial Penn $9.95 plan chart explained

A clear, simple visual of how much coverage you actually get for each $9.95 unit before you buy.

How the Colonial Penn $9.95 Unit System Works (Explained Clearly)

The most important thing to understand is this:
Colonial Penn does not sell $9.95 life insurance. They sell $9.95 “units”—and every unit gives different coverage depending on your age.

Why is this a problem?

Because when a product is marketed as “$9.95 per month for everyone,” the natural assumption is that everyone gets the same benefit. That is not the case.

What a “unit” really is

A “unit” is simply a small amount of guaranteed-issue coverage, and the older you are, the smaller the amount you receive.

Here’s the key issue:

• A 50-year-old may get around $1,600–$1,800 of coverage per unit
• A 75-year-old may get $400–$500 of coverage per unit
• An 85-year-old may get less than $300 per unit

So even though the price stays the same—$9.95 each—the benefit shrinks dramatically.

This structure makes it extremely difficult to budget, compare costs, or understand value, especially for seniors on fixed incomes.

Whole Life Comparison • $10,000 Coverage

Compare Real Rates vs. Colonial Penn

Colonial Penn’s $9.95 plan vs. real, fully-shopped whole life rates for $10,000 in coverage.

Side-by-side snapshot

Male $10,000 Whole Life Female $10,000 Whole Life

Male • $10,000 in Whole Life coverage

Female • $10,000 in Whole Life coverage

Age	Colonial Penn $9.95 Plan (Higher Cost / Less Coverage)	PinnacleQuote Real Rates (Lower)
50	$59.70	$27.35
55	$69.65	$32.78
60	$89.55	$41.74
65	$109.45	$53.75
70	$149.25	$69.23
75	$149.25 ($8,235 coverage)	$96.58
80	$149.25 ($6,390 coverage)	$134.16
85	$149.25 ($6,270 coverage)	$192.49
90	N/A	$354.11
50	$49.75	$21.78
55	$59.70	$26.26
60	$69.65	$32.60
65	$79.60	$41.01
70	$99.50	$52.03
75	$129.35	$71.64
80	$149.25 ($9,120 coverage)	$97.50
85	$149.25 ($7,020 coverage)	$131.66
90	N/A	$299.77

Rates shown are for comparison and illustration only and may vary by carrier, state, health, and underwriting.

Reference tool – Not a quote or an offer of insurance

Colonial Penn Rate Chart by Age (2026 Data Breakdown)

Colonial Penn never publishes a full, transparent chart, so seniors cannot easily see what their $9.95 is buying them. Below is a clarified 2026 example to show how the unit system works in the real world:

Colonial Penn $9.95 • Unit Estimator

Colonial Penn Rate Calculator Alternative

Instantly estimate Colonial Penn’s $9.95 plan coverage by age and units so you can see what each unit really buys your family.

Step 1: Select Gender

Male Female

Step 2: Select Age Select age 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85

Calculate My Colonial Penn Coverage by Unit

Source: ColonialPenn.com • Reference tool – Not a quote or an offer of insurance.

Why this matters

Most seniors need $10,000–$15,000 in final expense coverage.
But with Colonial Penn:

• Someone age 75 might need 20 units to reach $10,000. They only offer 15!
• At $9.95 each, that’s $149.25 for $8,235-$11,430—far more than traditional final expense policies cost.

Why the Colonial Penn Rate Chart Is Misleading

Several elements of Colonial Penn’s marketing create confusion for consumers:

1. No published coverage amounts in commercials

The ads strongly emphasize the $9.95 monthly price while avoiding the actual benefit amount—one of the strongest indicators of misleading pricing.

2. Unit system hides the true cost

A normal insurance company lists premiums per coverage amount.
Colonial Penn does the opposite—listing a price, but hiding the coverage.

3. Most seniors end up needing 8–20 units

That’s not $9.95 per month—it becomes $80 to $200+ per month.

4. Two-year waiting period

All Colonial Penn units include a full 24-month waiting period, meaning the policy does not pay the death benefit unless death is accidental.

5. Consumer complaints reflect this pattern

Across BBB, Reddit, and Google reviews, the top complaints include:

• “Coverage was much smaller than expected.”
• “They didn’t explain the unit system clearly.”
• “It was too late when I realized the policy wasn’t enough.”
• “Prices increase when you buy more units than they imply.”

People Also Ask — Complete Answers (Updated for 2026)

Google’s “People Also Ask” questions reveal what confuses consumers most about Colonial Penn. Below are full 2026-optimized answers, written clearly so seniors can understand the truth about the 995 plan.

Alternatives to Colonial Penn (Better Coverage, Lower Cost)

Many seniors are surprised to learn they can qualify for day-one coverage (no waiting period) at lower prices than Colonial Penn’s multi-unit cost structure.

Here are top alternatives:

✔ Mutual of Omaha Living Promise

• Level coverage (no waiting) for most applicants
• Cheaper than Colonial Penn in nearly every age bracket
• Strong financial ratings
• Transparent pricing

✔ Aetna Accendo Final Expense

• Very lenient underwriting
• Competitive premiums
• 2026 pricing still among the strongest

✔ AFLAC

• Simple underwriting
• Fast issue times
• Fair pricing for ages 50–85

Final Expense Sample Rates • Core Carriers

See Better 2026 Rates Now

Click a carrier below to instantly compare sample female and male burial insurance rates by coverage amount.

Interactive rate tables

Mutual of Omaha

Female & Male Level Benefit Burial Plans

▼ See Rates

Female Burial Insurance Rates

Age	$10,000	$25,000	$50,000
45	$22.61	$51.71	$100.21
50	$24.31	$55.96	$108.71
55	$27.71	$64.46	$125.71
60	$32.87	$77.36	$151.52
65	$41.01	$97.72	$192.24
70	$53.24	$128.29	$253.38
75	$72.41	$176.22	$349.24
80	$98.43	$241.28	$479.35
85	$135.90	$334.95	$666.70

Male Burial Insurance Rates

Age	$10,000	$25,000	$50,000
45	$27.11	$62.97	$122.73
50	$30.68	$71.89	$140.58
55	$35.95	$85.06	$166.92
60	$43.76	$104.60	$205.99
65	$56.48	$136.39	$269.58
70	$74.61	$181.72	$360.23
75	$99.97	$245.13	$487.05
80	$139.73	$344.52	$685.83
85	$192.74	$477.04	$950.88

Aetna

Protection Series – Burial & Final Expense

▼ See Rates

Female Protection Series Rates

Age	$5,000	$10,000	$25,000
45	$13.42	$23.50	$53.75
50	$15.00	$26.67	$61.66
55	$17.79	$32.25	$75.62
60	$21.46	$39.58	$93.96
65	$24.58	$45.83	$109.58
70	$29.58	$55.83	$134.58
75	$37.92	$72.50	$176.24
80	$50.42	$97.50	$238.74
85	$67.50	$131.66	$324.15
86	$83.83	$164.33	$405.82
87	$100.16	$196.99	$487.48
88	$116.50	$229.66	$569.14
89	$132.83	$262.32	$650.81

Male Protection Series Rates

Age	$5,000	$10,000	$25,000
45	$14.62	$25.92	$59.79
50	$18.54	$33.75	$79.37
55	$22.33	$41.33	$98.33
60	$26.75	$50.17	$120.41
65	$29.58	$55.83	$134.58
70	$36.67	$70.00	$169.99
75	$50.42	$97.50	$238.74
80	$68.75	$134.16	$330.40
85	$95.41	$187.49	$463.73
86	$114.58	$225.82	$559.56
87	$133.75	$264.16	$655.39
88	$152.91	$302.49	$751.22
89	$172.08	$340.82	$847.05

Aflac

Burial Insurance – Sample Female & Male Rates

▼ See Rates

Female Burial Insurance Rates

Age	$5,000	$10,000	$25,000
45	$14.70	$25.20	$56.70
50	$15.59	$26.98	$61.14
55	$16.83	$29.45	$67.33
60	$19.43	$34.65	$80.33
65	$24.09	$43.99	$103.67
70	$30.09	$55.97	$133.63
75	$43.07	$81.94	$198.56
80	$60.08	$115.96	$283.59

Male Burial Insurance Rates

Age	$5,000	$10,000	$25,000
45	$16.87	$29.55	$67.57
50	$18.85	$33.50	$77.46
55	$21.23	$38.26	$89.36
60	$24.68	$45.16	$106.60
65	$30.00	$55.81	$133.22
70	$38.09	$71.98	$173.64
75	$52.07	$99.94	$243.56
80	$80.08	$155.95	$383.58

Comparison Chart — Colonial Penn vs. Top Carriers

Explanation:
A 2026 comparison section helps users visually understand differences. Must include price-per-$1,000 comparisons.

Who Is Colonial Penn Actually Good For? (Small Group Only)

Although Colonial Penn’s marketing makes the product seem universal, the reality is that the 995 plan fits only a narrow set of seniors who truly cannot qualify for traditional final expense coverage.

Colonial Penn may be appropriate if:

• You have severe, active health conditions that cause multiple carriers to decline you
• You cannot medically qualify for any level-benefit policy
• You want a very small amount of coverage despite the cost
• You fully understand and accept the two-year waiting period
• You are aware of the low benefit per unit and still want guaranteed-issue coverage

Colonial Penn functions almost exclusively as a last-resort guaranteed acceptance option, not a competitive final expense policy.

Who Should Avoid Colonial Penn (Most Seniors)

For the majority of adults ages 50–85, Colonial Penn’s rate chart offers poor value, limited benefits, and misleading pricing. Most people can qualify for better coverage at half the cost through reputable final expense carriers.

Seniors who should avoid Colonial Penn include:

• Anyone who qualifies for day-one coverage with carriers like Mutual of Omaha, Aetna, SBLI, Foresters, Prosperity, or Liberty Bankers
• People who need $8,000–$20,000 of coverage (Colonial Penn becomes too expensive)
• Those on a fixed income who want maximum value per dollar
• People who want transparent pricing, not age-based unit reductions
• Anyone trying to avoid a two-year waiting period

The unit system disguises the real premium, and seniors often buy too few units—leaving families short on coverage.

Final Thoughts

Before you make a decision, ask yourself:

“Do I fully understand what $9.95 actually buys me?”
“Is my goal to get the cheapest advertised price—or the best long-term value for my family?”

Most seniors come to realize that Colonial Penn’s rate chart is not designed to help them compare coverage. Instead, it emphasizes a low monthly number while hiding the fact that each $9.95 unit provides only a very small amount of protection.

You deserve transparency. You deserve clear numbers. And you deserve to see every option—not just the one spending millions on TV commercials.

If you’re between ages 50 and 85, there is a strong chance you qualify for more coverage, lower premiums, and no waiting period from a reputable carrier. The smartest next step is to compare your actual eligibility—not rely on a $9.95 slogan that tells you nothing about real costs.

Related Articles

• Burial Insurance With No Waiting Period (2026 Guide): Who Qualifies, Costs, and How to Get Day-One Coverage
• Is the Colonial Penn $9.95 Plan Worth It in 2026? (Full Review & Real Coverage Amounts)
• The Truth About Jonathan Lawson Colonial Penn (Paid Actor) What You Need to Know
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