22-Year Term Life Insurance is a flexible option for people whose financial obligations extend slightly beyond a standard 20-year horizon but don’t require a full 25- or 30-year commitment. It can be a strong fit when your protection needs are tied to a specific payoff schedule, income-replacement window, or long-range planning goal. At Diversified Insurance Brokers, we help you compare 22-year coverage against nearby term lengths to find the most efficient balance between cost and duration.

How a 22-Year Term Life Policy Works

A 22-year term policy provides level premiums and a fixed death benefit for a defined 22-year period. If the insured passes away while the policy is active, the death benefit is paid to the beneficiaries—most often income-tax-free. If the full term is completed, coverage typically expires unless you choose to renew annually or convert the policy, depending on carrier rules.

Like other term life options, this structure is designed for protection—not savings—making it a cost-efficient way to secure meaningful coverage for a clearly defined planning window.

When a 22-Year Term Makes Strategic Sense

Not every financial plan lines up neatly with round-number term lengths. A 22-year duration can be useful when your longest obligation runs just past the 20-year mark—such as a mortgage payoff schedule, business loan, or income-replacement plan that extends into your early or mid-60s.

This term length can also work well for people who want slightly more runway than a traditional 20-year policy without paying for the extra years built into longer contracts. The key is aligning coverage length with the point at which your financial risk meaningfully declines.

22-Year Term Life Insurance vs. Nearby Options

Before settling on any non-standard term length, it’s important to compare how it stacks up against more common choices. Sometimes the price difference between a 22-year and a 25-year policy is minimal; other times, the shorter duration offers measurable savings.

What Affects Pricing on a 22-Year Term Policy

Premiums for a 22-year term are driven by the same underwriting factors used for other term lengths. These include age, overall health, nicotine use, medical history, build, driving record, and the amount of coverage requested.

Some applicants qualify for accelerated or no-exam underwriting, while others benefit from a traditional medical exam to secure better pricing. Comparing underwriting paths across carriers can make a meaningful difference in long-term cost.

Choosing the Right Coverage Amount

Start by identifying what needs to be protected during the next two decades: income replacement, remaining mortgage balance, education funding, business obligations, or debt payoff. From there, subtract existing assets and other insurance to arrive at a coverage amount that supports your household plan without straining cash flow.

The goal is not simply buying the largest policy possible—it’s selecting coverage you can comfortably maintain for the full term.

Conversion and End-of-Term Planning

Many term policies include a conversion feature that allows you to exchange the policy for permanent coverage with the same insurer—often without new medical underwriting—during a defined window. This can be valuable if your health changes or if you decide you want lifetime coverage later.

As the end of the term approaches, planning ahead is critical. Annual renewals, when available, are usually much more expensive, so evaluating replacement or conversion options early helps avoid rushed decisions.

Case Example

A 41-year-old professional wanted coverage that would last until their planned retirement age and final mortgage payoff. A 22-year term aligned closely with that timeline, providing strong protection at a lower total cost than longer options while still avoiding a coverage gap.

Why Work With Diversified Insurance Brokers?

Since 1980, Diversified Insurance Brokers has helped clients align life insurance coverage with real-world financial timelines—not generic defaults. With access to 75+ carriers, we compare pricing, underwriting rules, and conversion options so you can choose confidently. Learn more about our life insurance services and how we support long-term planning.