2025 Aetna Burial Insurance Review – Pros & Cons

Our Aetna life insurance company review will look at the three insurance products Aetna provides for seniors. We will also examine how well the company measures up to its competitors.

This review will give you everything you need to know about their final expense products to help you make an informed decision.

Keep reading to know if their burial insurance plans are right for you.

What to Ask Before Buying Aetna Life Insurance

Does Aetna Offer First-day Coverage?

Aetna has a burial insurance plan that offers first-day coverage.

If you qualify, their Whole Life Insurance Level Benefit Plan comes with immediate first-day coverage. You will be 100% covered from the first day, and your beneficiary will receive your full death benefit when you pass away.

What Are My Policy Options With Aetna?

Aetna, through American Continental, offers three types of burial insurance policy options:

1. Level benefit – first-day immediate coverage
2. Graded benefit – limited benefits during the first two years
3. Modified benefit – two-year waiting period

Your age and current health status will determine which plan you will be eligible for and the amount you will pay.

FINAL EXPENSE PRODUCT FEATURES
Issue ages	45 to 89
Face amount available	$1,000–$30,000
Simplified issue	No medical exam required
Guaranteed death benefit	The benefit will never decrease
Cash value builds up	Accumulates over time
Level premium	Guaranteed never to increase

#1 – LEVEL BENEFIT PLAN:

Issue ages: 45 – 89, age last birthday

• 45–65 death benefit: $3,000–$35,000
• 66–80 death benefit: $3,000–$25,000
• 81–85 death benefit: $3,000–$15,000
• 86–89 death benefit: $3,000–$10,000

The level benefit plan is designed for healthier folks, but it accepts these health issues:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Controlled diabetes
• Arthritis
• Mental health issues (bipolar, anxiety disorder, depression)
• And they have a two-year lookback period on full stroke, TIA, heart attack, and circulatory surgeries.

Aetna’s level benefit plans are generally competitively priced.

#2 – GRADED BENEFIT

Issue ages: 45 – 80, age last birthday

Minimum death benefit amount: $3,000

• 45–65 years old – death benefit: $3,000–$35,000
• 66–80 years old – death benefit: $3,000–$25,000

Death Benefits Schedule:

Accidental death: full benefit immediately

Non-accidental death:

• First-year: 40% of the benefit amount
• Second-year: 75% of the benefit amount
• Third-year: full death benefit

Aetna takes a higher risk for insuring you that’s why your beneficiary will receive 40% if you pass away in the first year of the policy. 75% in the second year, and only in the third year will they receive 100% of your benefit.

Health conditions that will qualify for this plan:

• Congestive heart failure
• Cardiomyopathy
• COPD
• Emphysema
• Cancer diagnosis in the last 12-24 months

#3 – MODIFIED BENEFIT PLAN

• Issue ages: 45 – 75, age last birthday
• Minimum death benefit amount: $3,000
• Maximum death benefit amount: $35,000
• Death Benefits Schedule:

Accidental death – 100% benefit immediately

Non-accidental death:

• Years 1 and 2 – 110% of paid premium
• Year 3 – full death benefit

The modified benefit plan has a full two-year waiting period. If you pass away during the first two years, they will pay your beneficiary the premium you paid plus 10% interest. Only in the third year will Aetna pay your full death benefit amount.

Aetna’s modified benefit plan is expensive compared to a guaranteed issue, no health questions policy. GI policy costs less, and it will approve your application regardless of the severity of your medical condition.

How Is Aetna Final Expense Whole Life Insurance Good For Seniors?

Aetna’s three final expense whole life insurance plans help ease the financial burden. However, among the three plans, the most beneficial is the level-benefit plan. This plan comes with first-day coverage, and the pricing is competitive. The graded plan is best for some health issues.

We do not recommend the modified plan for seniors because it has a two-year waiting period. Seniors will be better off with a guaranteed issue life insurance compared with this plan. A guaranteed issue policy will accept all applicants regardless of their medical condition.

Does Aetna Have Any Hidden “Fine Print” In Their Policy?

You must be aware of the death benefit schedule when considering Aetna’s graded and modified benefit plans.

Graded Death Benefit
Non-accidental death

• Policy year 1: 40%of benefit amount
• Policy year 2: 75% of benefit amount
• Policy year 3: Full death benefit

Modified Death Benefit

Non-accidental death

• Policy years 1 and 2: ROP plus 10%
• Policy year 3: full death benefit

What Are The Pros & Cons Of Aetna Insurance?

#1- LEVEL BENEFIT PLAN

PROS

• Financially stable company
• First-day coverage for healthy folks
• Easy phone application and approval
• Accepts people who are 86-89 years old
• Competitive pricing compared to other life insurance companies

CONS

• Final expense plan not available in all states
• Strict underwriting only healthy people qualify.

#2 – GRADED BENEFIT PLAN

PROS

• Good for some heart and respiratory issues
• Fast application and approval over the phone
• No built chart, overweight and obese can easily qualify.

CONS

• Phased in death benefit schedule
• Expensive premium compared to other companies.

#3 – MODIFIED BENEFIT PLAN

PROS

• Accepts significant health issues
• Higher death benefit max at $35,000

CONS

• Two-year waiting period
• Only return of premium plus 10% during the first two years
• Super expensive pricing compared with other insurance companies

Are There Any Riders With Aetna Life Insurance?

Unfortunately, Aetna’s final expense whole life insurance does not offer any rider or additional benefits like most life insurance companies.

• Accelerated Living Benefit Rider
• Nursing Home Confinement Rider
• Policy Loans

How Do I Get Approved By Aetna?

To qualify for burial insurance, ACI will check your health in three ways:

• They will ask health questions in the application
• They will electronically check your prescription history
• They will perform a telephone interview

They do this to verify your health and assess your level of risk.

What Are Aetna’s Application Questions?

KNOCKOUT SECTION:

1. Do any of the following apply to you?

a. currently hospitalized, in a nursing facility, confined to a bed, receiving hospice care? (Yes – No)

b. require the use of oxygen for any lung or respiratory disorder (Yes – No)

c. have been diagnosed by a medical professional to have an aneurysm that has not been surgically repaired (Yes – No)

MODIFIED BENEFIT PLAN

If you answered any questions in Section B YES, you qualify for the Modified benefit plan.

2. At any time have you been diagnosed or treated by a medical professional or had surgery for any of the following?

a. any condition requiring bone marrow, stem cell, or organ transplant (Yes – No)

b. kidney disease requiring dialysis (Yes – No)

c. Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, mental incapacity (Yes – No)

d. Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS) (Yes – No)

e. a life expectancy of 12 months or less (Yes – No)

f. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), AIDS Related Complex (ARC), tested positive for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (Yes – No)

Those who answered yes to the above health conditions will be offered a modified benefit plan.  This plan is offered to people in the highest-risk category.

GRADED BENEFIT HEALTH QUESTIONS

If you answered any health questions in Section C YES, you qualify for the Graded benefit plan.

If you answered NO to ALL questions in Section C, you qualify for the Level benefit plan

3. Do you have diabetes? (Yes – No)

a. diagnosed by a medical professional before age 40 (Yes – No)

b. in combination with any heart or circulatory disorder diagnosed by a medical professional (excluding high blood pressure) (Yes – No)

c. requiring 40 or more units of insulin daily (Yes – No)

4. Within the past 12 months, have you been diagnosed or treated by a medical professional or had surgery or any of the following? (Yes – No)

a. heart attack, heart valve disorder, heart blockage, stroke, or transient ischemic attack (TIA) (Yes – No)

b. any lung or respiratory disorder requiring the use of a nebulizer (Yes – No)

c. any lung or respiratory disorder and currently use tobacco (Yes – No)

d. internal cancer, melanoma, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, systemic leukemia, lupus (SLE) (Yes – No)

e. chronic pancreatitis, chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis (Yes – No)

5. Within the past 12 months, have you been recommended by a medical professional to have any of the following? (Yes – No)

a. treatment or counseling for alcohol or drug abuse (Yes – No)

b. test, surgery, treatment, or further evaluation that has not been performed, or are there any test results pending (Yes – No)

You would qualify for the Aetna graded benefit plan if you answered NO to the knockout and modified sections. If you answer Yes to any of the health questions in this section, you will be offered a graded death benefit plan.

A graded death benefit plan is offered to those not in the best health. If you qualify, you will pay a little bit more for this plan, but you will have partial benefits on the first day. 

LEVEL BENEFIT PLAN HEALTH QUESTIONS

6. Within the past 24 months, have you been diagnosed or treated by a medical professional or had surgery for any of the following? (Yes – No)

a. aneurysm, heart attack, any circulatory disorder, stroke, or transient ischemic attack (TIA) (Yes – No)

b. emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (Yes – No)

c. internal cancer, melanoma, leukemia (Yes – No)

d. neuromuscular disorder including, but not limited to cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy (Yes – No)

f. any connective tissue disorder, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease (Yes – No)

7. Have you been diagnosed or treated by a medical professional or had surgery for any of the following? (Yes – No)

a. congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, Parkinson’s disease (Yes – No)

b. any permanent paralysis, amputation caused by disease (Yes – No)

8. Are you dependent on a wheelchair or motorized mobility device? (Yes – No)

If you answer no to all the health questions in the application, you will qualify for a level death benefit plan. This plan has first-day full coverage and pays 100% death benefit when you pass away.

When Does Aetna Burial Insurance Make The Most Sense?

Aetna is a great choice for seniors 86 to 89 years old because they’re one of the few companies providing policies for that age. They don’t have height and weight restrictions, and those on the heavier side will qualify for coverage.

Avoid their modified benefit plan; it’s a poor option because you can often get a better-priced policy with other insurance companies. If you are considering purchasing burial insurance from Aetna or other companies, comparing plans and rates is best before choosing the one that fits your needs.

Aetna’s final expense plans accept the following health conditions, which other burial insurance companies typically decline:

1. COPD – Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients who do not smoke or use supplementary oxygen in the last two years will qualify for a graded benefit plan. Without treatment for more than 24 months, you will be eligible for level death benefit without a waiting period.
2. Diabetes – diagnosed after 40 years old and does not use 40 units of insulin daily may qualify for the level death benefit.
3. Heart attack – after 24 months, will qualify for the graded death benefit. A heart attack over 24 months ago qualifies for the level death benefit.
4. Congestive heart failure – will qualify for the graded death benefit at any time.
5. Cancer – diagnosis, and treatment within 24 months will qualify for a graded benefit plan.

What Are The Unique Features of Aetna Final Expense Insurance?

Here are some of Aetna’s unique features that make them shine from the competition and make them a better choice for you:

• Coverage for people who are 86 to 89 years old
• Wheelchair use may qualify for a graded benefit plan
• No build chart
• Underwriting is based only on health questions, prescription history checks, and telephone interviews.
• Does not perform Medical Information Bureau check
• Fast approval typically after the telephone interview
• Reduced paid-up option available

Does Aetna Offer The Same Day Phone Approval?

Aetna has an electronic submission process for all life insurance policies. Application and approval can be made with an agent over the phone.

How Can I Get Aetna Life Insurance Pricing?

Aetna burial insurance plan rates are based on your age, gender, health, coverage amount, and the state you live in at the time of application.

FEMALE AGE	$5,000	$10,000	$15,000	$20,000	$25,000	$30,000
45	$13.42	$23.50	$33.58	$43.66	$53.75	$63.83
50	$15.00	$26.67	$38.33	$50.00	$61.66	$73.33
55	$17.79	$32.25	$46.71	$61.16	$75.62	$90.08
60	$21.46	$39.58	$57.71	$75.83	$93.95	$112.08
65	$24.58	$45.83	$67.08	$88.33	$109.58	$130.83
70	$29.58	$55.83	$82.08	$108.33	$134.58	$160.83
75	$37.92	$72.50	$107.08	$141.66	$176.24	$210.82
80	$50.41	$97.50	$144.58	$191.66	$238.74
85	$67.50	$131.66	$195.83	$259.99	$324.15

MALE AGE	$5,000	$10,000	$15,000	$20,000	$25,000	$30,000
45	$14.62	$25.92	$37.21	$48.50	$59.79	$71.08
50	$18.54	$33.75	$48.96	$64.16	$79.37	$94.58
55	$22.33	$41.33	$60.33	$79.33	$98.33	$117.33
60	$26.75	$50.16	$73.58	$97.00	$120.41	$143.83
65	$29.58	$55.83	$82.08	$108.33	$134.58	$160.83
70	$36.67	$70.00	$103.33	$136.66	$169.99	$203.33
75	$50.41	$97.50	$144.58	$191.66	$238.74	$285.82
80	$68.75	$134.16	$199.58	$264.99	$330.40
85	$95.41	$187.49	$279.57	$371.65	$463.73

*Pricing is for illustration purposes only and is subject to change without notice.

How Does Aetna Burial Insurance Compare?

If you are open to looking at better insurance companies with better rates, we can offer you some help!

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Common Aetna Company Questions

What Is Aetna’s Operational History

Aetna started as a fire insurance company in the early 1800s. Aetna Life Insurance was created in 1853 when the annuity portion of their company separated. Aetna eventually became the third-largest health insurance provider in the country.

Aetna entered the health insurance business in 1899. Aetna was the first insurance company to advertise on television. Aetna was also the first to sell an employer group long-term care insurance plan. They are also the first health insurance company to announce a health savings account option.

American Continental Insurance Company (ACI) was established in 2005 and became part of the Aetna Group of Companies in 2011. ACI is one of the two underwriters of Aetna’s final expense product.

They only offer one life insurance product, the final expense or burial insurance, in their senior product suite. The two Aetna insurance companies that write this policy are ACI and Continental Life Insurance Company of Brentwood, Tennessee. Their burial insurance is available in most states except West Coast and Northeast states.

What Is Aetna’s Financial Rating?

Aetna received the following rating from different rating agencies:

• A.M. Best: A
• BBB: A+
• Moody’s: Baa2
• Standard & Poor’s: A+

These ratings indicate the company’s financial stability and capability of paying its financial commitments to policyholders.

Does Aetna Have Any Consumer Complaints?

Aetna has six complaints recorded with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Most complaints are about claim handling, policyholder service, and underwriting.

What Should You Know Before Buying Aetna Life Insurance?

What is Aetna’s Sales Process?

Aetna is not a “captive carrier.” Independent insurance agencies like Funeral Funds of America can sell Aetna’s final expense insurance products.

Are Any Health Conditions Not Accepted By Aetna?

These health issues are not accepted for level benefit insurance:

• Activities Of Daily Living (ADLs)
• Alzheimer’s or Dementia
• AIDs, HIV, ARC
• Current Cancer
• Congestive Heart Failure
• Cardiomyopathy
• Dementia
• Dialysis
• Diabetic Amputation
• End-stage Renal Disease
• Hospice
• Nursing Home Confinement
• Organ or Tissue Transplant
• Oxygen Use
• Terminal Illness

How Can I Get Pricing Help Today?

Use our quoting software below to see how Aetna’s pricing compares to other companies.

• $10,000 to 15,000 is often appropriate for burial needs
• $3,000 to $7,000 is often appropriate for cremation needs

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What Are The Top 10 Questions About Aetna?

Is Aetna Life Insurance legitimate?

Aetna is a legitimate life insurance company that has been in business for over 160 years.

What types of life insurance does Aetna offer?

Aetna offers term life insurance, whole life insurance, and universal life insurance policies.

How can I make Aetna insurance payment?

Aetna offers several ways to make your insurance payment. You can pay online, by phone, or by mail.

What is Aetna’s claim process?

If you need to file a claim, you can do so online, by phone, or by mail. You will need to provide basic information about yourself, your policy, and documentation supporting your claim.

What are the different life insurance products offered by Aetna?

Aetna offers whole life insurance, term life insurance, and universal insurance policies.

How old do you have to be to apply for Aetna insurance coverage?

You need to be 18 years old to be able to apply for Aetna insurance coverage.

What does Aetna life insurance cost?

Aetna’s life insurance rates are based on several factors, including age, health, and the type of policy you choose.

Does Aetna life insurance accumulate cash value?

Yes, Aetna’s whole life insurance policies accumulate cash value over time. This cash value can be used to pay premiums or borrowed.

How do I cancel my Aetna insurance policy?

You will need to contact Aetna or your agent to cancel your Aetna insurance policy. You may be required to provide written notice of cancellation.

What are the common terms used when searching for Aetna Insurance

Here are some common terms people use when searching for, or describing Aetna life insurance Products:
• Aetna Burial Insurance
• Aetna Cremation Insurance
• Aetna Final Expense Insurance
• Aetna Funeral Insurance
• Aetna Term Life Insurance
• Aetna Universal Life Insurance
• Aetna Whole Life Insurance

Sources Cited In This Article:

NAIC. “Reasons Why Complaints Were Submitted.” Accessed November 28, 2022. https://www.naic.org/cis_refined_results.htm?TABLEAU=CIS_COMPLAINTS&COCODE=62065&REALM=PROD