Life Insurance With Multiple Sclerosis: Your Real Options
Published on November 6, 2026 last updated on November 6, 2026Condition guide
Life Insurance With Multiple Sclerosis: Your Real Options
Yes, you can still get life insurance with multiple sclerosis. Mild, stable relapsing-remitting MS may qualify for a level (simplified issue) policy. If you are declined, graded/modified and guaranteed issue policies accept you with no health questions.
Updated November 6, 2026
Why multiple sclerosis makes insurers cautious, and why it is not a dead end
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition where the immune system damages the nerve coverings in the brain and spinal cord. The National MS Society estimates about 1 million people live with MS in the United States. Many of them work, raise families, and carry life insurance.
Insurers do not treat every MS case the same, though. Fully underwritten policies ask how long ago you were diagnosed, what type of MS you have, and how well you get around. The honest answer for most people is “it depends on those three things.” This guide walks through the order we use at my agency: level (simplified issue) first, then graded/modified, then guaranteed issue as the last option.
What underwriters look at with MS
Every carrier writes its own rules, so eligibility varies by carrier. Still, the same questions come up again and again.
Type of MS
The MS Association of America says about 80 to 85 percent of people are first diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), where symptoms flare and then calm down. About 10 percent are diagnosed with primary progressive MS (PPMS), which worsens steadily from the start. The same source says that without treatment, roughly half of people with RRMS move on to secondary progressive MS (SPMS) within 10 years.
In practice, RRMS is the type most likely to be considered for medically underwritten coverage. Consumer-finance research from MoneyGeek (updated October 2026) reports that PPMS is the hardest type to insure through standard underwriting and that SPMS usually leads to a decline or a heavily rated offer. Treat that as a general pattern, not a promise. Individual carriers differ.
Time since diagnosis and relapses
A recent diagnosis is a common reason for a decline. The same MoneyGeek review says most carriers want at least two years since diagnosis, and that applying after 12 months or more without a relapse improves your odds. Underwriters want to see that the disease has shown its pattern.
Daily function and mobility
Falls, balance problems, or trouble with daily tasks tell an underwriter that the disease is progressing. Someone walking without help and working full time looks very different on paper from someone who needs a wheelchair, even if both carry the same diagnosis.
Medications
You will usually be asked which disease-modifying therapies you take. Being stable on treatment helps. Some high-powered treatments can lead carriers to decline on their own. Always list every medication, because leaving one off can cause a claim problem later.
Your three coverage options, in the order to try them
Here is the ladder. Start at the top and only move down if you are declined.
| Coverage type | Health questions | Medical exam | Waiting period | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level benefit (simplified issue) | A few yes/no questions | No | None; full payout from day one | Mild, stable RRMS diagnosed a few years ago |
| Graded / modified benefit | Fewer, more lenient questions | No | Reduced payout for natural death, usually the first 1 to 2 years (varies by carrier) | Stable MS that a level policy declined |
| Guaranteed issue | None | No | About 2 years (varies by carrier); premiums returned plus interest on early natural death | Progressive MS, recent diagnosis, or after other declines |
Learn more about the middle step on our simplified issue life insurance page. If you have already been turned down, read what to do after a decline before you apply anywhere else.
Level (simplified issue) with MS
The questions on these applications are short, but they are specific. They often ask about neurological conditions by name. You must answer truthfully. A “no” that should have been a “yes” gives the carrier a reason to contest a claim. If you have mild RRMS that has been quiet for years, it is worth applying here first, and an independent broker can compare several carriers at once.
Graded / modified benefit
This is the middle ground. You may get approved when a level policy would decline you, but the payout is reduced if you die of natural causes early in the policy. After the graded period, the full benefit is paid. Ask for the exact schedule before you sign.
Guaranteed issue
Nobody is turned down because of their health. You trade that certainty for a lower coverage cap, a higher price per dollar, and a waiting period. We cover that cost trade-off on our guaranteed issue life insurance pillar page.
Carrier facts for guaranteed issue (checked November 2026)
Eligibility for guaranteed issue varies by carrier, with a typical age range of 18–85 (exact range varies by carrier). Two carriers publish their details openly, so here is what each says on its own pages. Rates are not shown because they depend on your age, sex, state, and amount, and I will not print numbers I cannot source.
| Detail | Mutual of Omaha (Guaranteed Whole Life) | Gerber Life (Guaranteed Life) |
|---|---|---|
| Issue ages | 45 to 85 (New York: 50 to 75) | 50 to 80 (New York: 50 to 75) |
| Coverage amounts | $2,000 to $25,000 (Washington: $5,000 to $25,000) | $5,000 to $25,000 (South Dakota: up to $15,000) |
| Early natural death | First 2 years: premiums paid plus 10% | First 2 years: 110% of earned premiums (1 year in North Dakota) |
| Accidental death | Full benefit from day one | Not clearly stated on the pages I read; confirm in the policy |
| Health questions or exam | None | None |
| Other notes | Availability varies by state | Not sold in Montana; U.S. citizenship or permanent residency required |
Both carriers are examples, not recommendations. Other carriers sell guaranteed issue with different ages and limits, and we compare them when we quote you. See our Mutual of Omaha review for more on that company.
When guaranteed issue is the wrong choice
I would steer you away from guaranteed issue in these situations:
- Your MS is mild, you walk and work normally, and you were diagnosed more than a few years ago. Apply for level (simplified issue) coverage first. You could pay much less for a full payout from day one.
- You have group life insurance through work. Ask HR what the conversion options are before you leave a job, because converted coverage does not require new health answers.
- You were declined once. One decline does not mean every carrier will decline you. Underwriting rules differ from company to company.
- You need more than $25,000 of coverage. A guaranteed issue policy will not be large enough on its own.
Guaranteed issue makes sense when you have progressive MS, a recent diagnosis, significant disability, or declines from other carriers, and you want something in place now.
Mistakes that cost MS families money
Answering “no” to a neurological question
Level and graded applications often name MS directly. A wrong answer can lead to a denied claim in the first two years. If a question is unclear, ask your broker before you submit.
Applying to many carriers at once
Each full application can leave a mark in the insurance industry’s shared records. A broker who knows which carriers are friendlier to MS can avoid unnecessary declines.
Waiting for a “perfect” moment
MS can change over time. A relapse or a new medication can move you from one coverage tier to a worse one. If you are stable today, today is usually the best time to apply.
Ignoring the waiting period
If you buy guaranteed issue and die of natural causes in the first two years, the family gets premiums back plus interest, not the full benefit. Read our page on what happens if you die during the waiting period so there are no surprises.
How MS affects life expectancy, in plain terms
The National MS Society reported on a 2013 study of about 30,000 people with MS in a U.S. health plan. It found median lifespans of 81 years for women with MS versus 86 for women without, and 78 versus 85 for men. The society also says most people with MS live a normal life span, and that the study did not look at MS type or severity. That is why underwriters ask about type and disability instead of using the diagnosis alone.
Common questions
Can I get life insurance with multiple sclerosis?
Yes. Depending on your type of MS, how long ago you were diagnosed, and how you function day to day, you may qualify for level (simplified issue), graded/modified, or guaranteed issue coverage. Eligibility varies by carrier.
Will an insurer decline me automatically for MS?
Not every insurer does. Fully underwritten policies are harder to get with progressive types or a recent diagnosis. Policies that skip the exam are easier, and guaranteed issue accepts you regardless of MS.
Do I have to tell the insurer about my MS?
If the application asks about it, yes. Guaranteed issue asks no health questions, so nothing is asked. On any other policy, hiding MS can lead to a denied claim.
How long is the waiting period on guaranteed issue?
Usually about 2 years (varies by carrier). If you die of natural causes in that time, the beneficiary receives premiums back plus interest, and accidental death is typically covered sooner. Check the policy.
How much coverage can I get?
The two carriers above cap guaranteed issue at $25,000. Level and graded policies can sometimes go higher. A broker can tell you the maximum for your situation.
Does having MS affect the price?
It can. Guaranteed issue prices are mostly set by age and sex, not condition, but they cost more per dollar than policies where the insurer sees your health. Ask for actual quotes rather than relying on website averages.
Can I upgrade later if my MS stays stable?
Sometimes. After a stable stretch, you can apply again for a level or graded policy and compare it to what you have. Do not cancel the old policy until the new one is approved and in force.
Sources
- National MS Society: New Study Reports on MS and Lifespan in the United States (Jan. 2014)
- MS Association of America: Types of MS (updated Sept. 2026)
- Mutual of Omaha: Whole Life and Guaranteed Whole Life pages
- Gerber Life: Guaranteed Life Insurance
- MoneyGeek: Life Insurance with Multiple Sclerosis (updated Oct. 2026), consumer research, not carrier rules
The bottom line
MS makes life insurance harder, not impossible. If your MS is mild and stable, try a level (simplified issue) policy first. If that fails, ask about graded/modified coverage. Use guaranteed issue as the last step, with a clear view of the waiting period and the coverage cap.
I compare carriers for people in your situation every week. Request a free quote or call (215) 999-3168.