What happens to my term life insurance policy after 20 years?

Written by Editorial Team | Last Updated: August 2026

Outliving a 20-year term life insurance policy means that you have maintained your premium payments through the entire contracted duration and survived past the expiration date. Because term life insurance functions strictly as pure risk protection without accumulating cash value or equity, the policy simply terminates at the end of the 20-year term. Once expired, your coverage ceases entirely, no death benefit is paid to your beneficiaries, and all previous premiums paid into the policy remain with the insurance company. To retain coverage, policyholders must either exercise a conversion option if their contract allows switching to a permanent policy without a medical exam, or apply for a brand new policy, which will come with substantially higher premium rates reflecting your older age and current health condition.

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