The Equitable Life Insurance Company Review

Helping clients since 1859, Equitable offers a mix of traditional and digital-forward life insurance options. But how does it compare to today’s best insurers?

This review covers everything you need to know about Equitable’s life insurance products, financial stability, underwriting, and how it stacks up against other life insurance companies.

Originally founded as The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States in 1859, Equitable rebranded from AXA Equitable to simply Equitable in 2020.

Today, the company manages over $700 billion in assets and operates across the nation. Although it is not a mutual company, Equitable has a long history of providing financial services and supporting charitable efforts, including scholarships and disaster relief through The Equitable Foundation.

Equitable Life Insurance Company has solid ratings from the top independent agencies:

• AM Best: A (3rd highest of 15)
• Moody’s: A2 (6th highest of 21)
• S&P Global: A+ (5th highest of 20)

These ratings indicate a strong ability to pay claims and meet long-term financial obligations. Ratings are subject to change.

Several term life insurance options exist.

• Term lengths – 10, 15, and 20: Level premiums for the entire term
• Annual Renewable Term (ART): Short-term coverage that renews yearly
• TermOne: A rare 1-year term policy available up to age 99
• Minimum Coverage:
  • $1 million for Terms 10, 15, 20, and ART
  • $25,000 for TermOne.
• Conversion Privileges: (convertible for time below or earlier of age 70)
  • TermOne – Not convertible after age 80
  • Term 10 – Year 5
  • Term 15 – Year 7
  • Term 20 – Year 10
• Riders Available:
  • Living Benefits (terminal illness): Included at no cost
  • Waiver of Premium: Available through age 59
  • Children’s Term Rider: $2,000 to $25,000 coverage per child, convertible

There is a conversion credit of 125% of the first-year base premium if the conversion is made within the first 5 years; 100% after that.

If you’re looking for the best-priced term life insurance, the best options will typically be Banner Life, Protective, Pacific Life, and Lincoln National.

The TermOne policy is a one-year term life policy that expires at the end of one year and is not renewable. Highlights include:

• Issue ages: 20–99
• Face amounts vary by age: Up to $1M for under 70, $250K for 80+
• Non-renewable, standard rates only, no tobacco distinction
• Convertible if issued before age 80
• Requires an annual premium
• Issued at Standard Non-Tobacco Rates

This policy is used for coverage that is only needed for one year.

The Term-in-10 product is a fully digital process designed for healthy people.

• Fully digital application, no exam or labs
• Coverage issued in under 10 minutes
• Issue ages: 18–60
• Face amounts: $100,000 to $1 million
• Term lengths: 10, 15, or 20 years
• Convertible to permanent insurance within 5–10 years depending on term selected

This option is ideal for healthy shoppers looking for fast, no-hassle coverage.

Equitable offers the BrightLife Grow index universal life policy and the IUL Protect 160 policy.

Highlights include:

• Focused on cash value growth and flexible income
• Issue ages: 0–85
• Minimum face amount: $50,000 (varies with riders)
• Indexed account options: S&P 500®, Russell 2000®, MSCI EAFE®, Multi-Index Blend
• Loan options: Fixed (1% spread), Alternate (after year 4, loan reflects index allocation)
• Riders:
  • Long-Term Care Services
  • CVPlus Rider
  • Charitable Legacy Rider

Other companies with index products to consider include Corebridge Financial, John Hancock, North American, and Prudential.

The Protect 160 IUL offers a guaranteed death benefit to age 90.

Other highlights include:

• Issue ages: 18–85
• Minimum face amount: $50,000
• Non-guaranteed values projected to age 100+
• Indexed to S&P 500 with downside protection
• Riders:
  • Long-Term Care Services
  • Living Benefits
  • Charitable Legacy Rider

There are numerous policies with guaranteed protection, including those offered by Nationwide, Mutual of Omaha, Principal, Lincoln National, and Prudential, among others.

When we work with you, we provide you with comparisons for the top companies available.

Equitable offers an interest-sensitive whole life policy:

• Minimum face amount: $50,000
• Issue ages: 18–80
• Guaranteed premiums
• Cash value equals face amount at age 100
• Non-participating (no dividends)

If whole life is what you want, the best companies available include Mass Mutual, New York Life, Guardian, Penn Mutual, and Northwestern Mutual.

Equitable offers several options that make qualifying easier than with many traditional carriers.

Equitable’s Easy Underwriting Program is a streamlined, no-exam option for many of its most popular products. It utilizes a digital-first process to expedite approvals, with no paramedical exam or laboratory tests required for eligible applicants.

• Eligibility Highlights:
  • Ages: 18–60
  • Citizenship: U.S. citizens and permanent residents living in the U.S.
  • Coverage Amounts: Up to $2 million
• Ages: 18–60
• Eligible Products:
  • Term 10, 15, 20, and ART
  • BrightLife Grow
• Riders:
  • Long-Term Care ServicesSM Rider (LTCSR)
  • Charitable Legacy Rider
  • Disability Premium Waiver
  • Children’s Term Insurance Rider

Key Points:

• No underwriting class restrictions (Preferred, Standard, and Substandard are all eligible)
• Applications submitted via eApp with a medical questionnaire are automatically reviewed under this program.
• Electronic health records or APS may be requested in some cases

Important: If you pre-order a paramed or labs, you’ll disqualify your client from this program

May improve your risk class based on lifestyle and health factors

• Ages 20–69
• Not available for table-rated term applicants
• Tobacco Incentive Program
• For IUL policies: tobacco users may receive non-tobacco rates in year one

Maintain non-tobacco status for 12 months, as documented by a doctor, to continue receiving better pricing.

• Phone: 800-777-6510
• Online account access: Available – HERE
• Mailing address: 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104

Equitable Life Insurance stands out for its innovative term offerings, competitive IUL policies, and underwriting flexibility.

While it may not suit every budget due to high face amount minimums, it’s a strong contender if you need $1 million or more in coverage, want digital convenience, or need unique options like TermOne.

If you’re considering Equitable, we’ll show you how it compares to top-tier insurers like Lincoln, Protective, and Pacific Life.

Request your personalized life insurance comparison now.