Double-Digit Life Insurance App Activity in August
Life insurance application activity surged 18% in August from a year earlier, marking the strongest year-over-year growth ever recorded for the month, according to the MIB Life Index.
The August data extended a strong run for life insurance applications in 2026. Through the first eight months, activity was up 15.6% from the same period in 2025 and was 19.6% higher than in 2024 and 20.6% higher than in 2023.
On a month-over-month basis, application activity was essentially flat in August, declining 0.6% from July.
The MIB data comes one day after Wink, Inc. reported strong life insurance sales across all product lines.
Older applicants lead the way
The growth in life applications was particularly pronounced among older applicants. Every age group showed growth in August, MIB reported, with double-digit gains among applicants 40 and older. Activity rose 3.5% among people ages 0-29, 5.3% among those 30-39, 13.5% among those 40-49, 22.9% among those 50-59, 34.4% among those 60-69 and 53.9% among applicants 70 and older.
The pattern was similar on a year-to-date basis, with growth accelerating as applicant age increased. Through August, activity was up 0.7% among applicants ages 0-29, 5.7% among those 31-39, 14% among those 40-49, 22.4% among those 50-59, 30% among those 60-69 and 48% among those 70 and older.
Term up nearly 25%
The gains also extended across major life insurance product categories.
Term life applications increased 24.7% from a year earlier in August, while whole life applications rose 23.3%. Universal life applications increased 8.3%.
Term life posted double-digit year-over-year growth across every age band. Whole life and universal life both recorded growth among applicants 40 and older, with double-digit increases among those 50 and older. Both products declined among applicants under 40.