Colonial Penn 995 Plan Review: What Does $9.95 Really Buy in 2026?

2026 Consumer Review

Colonial Penn 995 Plan: What Does $9.95 Really Buy?

The advertised $9.95 is the monthly price of one unit of Colonial Penn guaranteed acceptance whole life insurance—not a fixed $10,000 policy. The benefit attached to one unit changes by age, gender where permitted, and state.

$9.95per unit / month
50–85typical issue ages in most states
No Examno health questions
2 Yearslimited benefit for non-accidental death
Key consumer warning: $9.95 is not the price of a full burial policy. A buyer who wants $10,000 or more in coverage may need multiple units, which can make the total monthly premium much higher than the advertised number.

Compare Before You Buy a $9.95 Unit

See a ballpark quote or have your health profile shopped across available final expense carriers.

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*Ballpark quote
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*Fully shopped prequalified rate estimate

Final eligibility and pricing are subject to carrier underwriting, state availability, and policy terms.

Table of Contents

How We Reviewed the Colonial Penn $9.95 Plan

We reviewed Colonial Penn’s current guaranteed acceptance product information, support FAQs, the unit values already used in this InsuranceForBurial.com article, current AM Best financial-strength information, and BBB business and complaint data. We separate insurer strength from policy value because a financially strong company can still offer a policy that is not the right fit for every buyer.

ProductGuaranteed Acceptance Whole Life
Advertised Price$9.95 per unit / month
Health QuestionsNone
Medical ExamNone
PremiumLocked after issue
Death BenefitDoes not shrink merely because you age
Cash ValueCan build after the first year
Limited BenefitFirst 2 years for non-accidental death

Last reviewed: 09/28/2026. Colonial Penn’s current main product page references quote options for up to 25 units. State-specific quotes and policy forms control actual availability and maximum coverage.

What Is the Colonial Penn 995 Plan?

The Colonial Penn 995 Plan is guaranteed acceptance whole life insurance sold in units. You do not take a medical exam or answer health questions. Coverage can remain in force for life as long as required premiums are paid.

The key point: $9.95 is the price of one unit, not a fixed face amount.

What Changes?

The benefit amount attached to one unit depends on age, gender where permitted, and state.

What Does Not Change?

Once coverage begins, Colonial Penn says the benefit does not decrease simply because you get older or your health changes.

How Does the Colonial Penn $9.95 Unit Work?

Every unit costs $9.95 per month. Buying more units increases both the monthly premium and total death benefit.

1 Unit$9.95/month
10 Units$99.50/month
20 Units$199.00/month
Compare apples to apples: do not compare “$9.95” against the full premium of another policy. Compare the total monthly cost for the same death benefit, then compare waiting-period rules, underwriting, and policy features.

Colonial Penn $9.95 Plan Rate Chart by Age (2026)

The table below shows the one-unit benefit values used for this 2026 comparison. State-specific values can differ, so the official Colonial Penn quote and policy form control. The first six ages are shown by default; select Show Full Table to view every age from 50 through 85.

Colonial Penn 995 Plan Unit Calculator

Select age, sex, and number of units to estimate monthly premium and death benefit using the same rate values shown above.

Monthly Premium$9.95
Estimated Death Benefit—
Cost per $1,000—

Calculator uses the rate values on this page. State-specific Colonial Penn quote availability controls.

How Much Can $10,000 of Colonial Penn Coverage Cost?

This table estimates how many whole units are needed to reach at least $10,000 at selected ages. Because units are whole numbers, the total benefit can land slightly above $10,000.

Approximate Units and Monthly Cost to Reach at Least $10,000
AgeMaleFemale
UnitsMonthlyBenefitUnitsMonthlyBenefit
506$59.70$10,0145$49.75$10,000
558$79.60$11,3606$59.70$10,566
609$89.55$10,5037$69.65$10,605
6512$119.40$10,7528$79.60$10,064
7015$149.25$10,33510$99.50$10,000
7519$189.05$10,43114$139.30$10,668
8024$238.80$10,22417$169.15$10,336
8524$238.80$10,03222$218.90$10,296
Why this matters: the television price is $9.95 per unit. A buyer seeking a typical final-expense death benefit may need many units, so the real monthly cost can be far above the advertised entry price.

What Is the Two-Year Limited Benefit Period?

Colonial Penn guarantees acceptance because the plan has a two-year limited benefit period for non-accidental death. The full face amount is generally not payable for non-accidental death during the first two policy years.

Years 1–2

Non-accidental death is subject to the policy’s limited-benefit formula. State-specific forms can define the formula differently.

After the Limited Period

The policy’s full scheduled death benefit generally applies, subject to the contract and any outstanding loans.

Do not confuse limited benefit with contestability. They are different contract concepts.

Before You Settle for Guaranteed Acceptance, Check Day-One Options

Many applicants with common health conditions can still qualify for simplified-issue final expense insurance.

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*Fully shopped prequalified rate estimate

Colonial Penn $9.95 Plan Pros and Cons

Potential Advantages

No health questions or medical exam. Premiums are locked after issue, the benefit does not decrease merely because you age, coverage can remain in force for life when required premiums are paid, and the policy can build cash value.

Important Tradeoffs

The advertised $9.95 buys only one unit, one unit provides less coverage at older issue ages, the plan has a two-year limited benefit for non-accidental death, and healthier applicants may have stronger immediate-benefit alternatives.

Does the Colonial Penn Plan Build Cash Value?

Yes. Colonial Penn’s current product information says the guaranteed acceptance whole life policy begins building cash value after the first year. Policy loans may be available against cash value, and Colonial Penn currently lists an 8% compounded annual loan interest rate. Unpaid loans and interest can reduce the death benefit.

Colonial Penn Ratings, Reviews and Complaints

Financial strength, BBB business ratings, and consumer complaints measure different things. A strong insurer rating does not automatically mean the product is the best value for every buyer.

A
AM Best — Excellent / Stable
A+
BBB business rating / accredited
183
BBB complaints in 3 years; 60 closed in 12 months

Snapshot date: 09/28/2026. Complaint totals are dynamic and should be read as consumer signals, not proof that every customer will have the same experience.

Five Questions to Ask Before Buying the Colonial Penn 995 Plan

Turn the advertisement into specific buying questions before you apply.

1
How Much Will It Pay?

Calculate the exact benefit for your age, state, and units.

2
What Is the Total Cost?

Compare total monthly cost for the same face amount.

3
Do You Need Guaranteed Acceptance?

Check simplified-issue options first.

4
Can You Accept the Limitation?

Review years one and two carefully.

5
Did You Shop the Market?

Compare multiple carriers before deciding.

What Should You Compare With Colonial Penn?

The first comparison should be based on health eligibility. If you qualify for simplified-issue final expense insurance, some carriers can offer full natural-death benefits from day one. If simplified issue is not available, compare Colonial Penn with other guaranteed-issue policies by face amount, benefit timing, issue age, total cost, and policy features.

Immediate-Benefit Final ExpenseBest comparison when health answers are acceptable.
Guaranteed-Issue AlternativesBest comparison when health prevents simplified issue.
No-Waiting-Period OptionsWorth checking when benefit timing is the priority.

Useful InsuranceForBurial.com resources include our burial insurance company and rate comparison, Mutual of Omaha burial insurance review, American Amicable review, Gerber guaranteed acceptance review, and our guaranteed acceptance life insurance guide.

Who Might Still Consider Colonial Penn?

Colonial Penn may be worth considering for someone who wants guaranteed acceptance, falls within the eligible age range, understands the unit system, and cannot qualify for a medically underwritten or simplified-issue alternative. The lack of health questions can be valuable when serious medical conditions make other coverage difficult to obtain.

Common Questions About the Colonial Penn 995 Plan in 2026

Is the Colonial Penn 995 Plan really $9.95 a month?

Yes, one unit costs $9.95 per month. The important detail is that one unit is not a fixed $10,000 policy. A buyer seeking more coverage may need multiple units.

How much coverage does one $9.95 unit buy?

It depends on issue age, gender where applicable, and state. In the rate chart on this page, one unit ranges from $2,000 for a 50-year-old female to $418 for an 85-year-old male.

Does Colonial Penn have a two-year waiting period?

The guaranteed acceptance plan has a two-year limited-benefit period for non-accidental death. The state-specific policy form controls the exact benefit.

Does Colonial Penn coverage decrease as you get older?

No. Colonial Penn states that after coverage begins, the benefit does not decrease simply because you age or your health changes.

How many Colonial Penn units can you buy?

Colonial Penn’s current main product page references quote options for up to 25 units. State-specific availability and company guidelines control.

Colonial Penn 995 Plan FAQ

Is Colonial Penn a legitimate insurance company?

Yes. Colonial Penn is a regulated insurer and part of CNO Financial Group. Whether this specific policy is a good value is a separate question from company legitimacy.

Will the $9.95 premium increase later?

Colonial Penn says the price per unit is locked in after coverage begins and remains the same while the coverage stays in force.

Can you borrow from a Colonial Penn policy?

Colonial Penn says the policy can build cash value and loans may be available. Unpaid loans and interest can reduce the death benefit.

Should I cancel an existing policy if I find a better option?

No. Keep existing coverage until replacement coverage has been approved, issued, accepted, and is in force.

Bottom Line: Understand the Unit Before You Buy

The Colonial Penn 995 Plan is easy to qualify for, but the $9.95 advertising price tells you only the cost of one unit. The decision becomes clearer when you calculate the death benefit at your age, determine how many units you need, understand the two-year limited benefit period, and compare the total monthly cost with policies that ask health questions.

For applicants with serious health problems who need guaranteed acceptance, Colonial Penn can be one option to compare. For applicants who can qualify for simplified-issue coverage, shopping the market first may uncover immediate-benefit policies with clearer face amounts.

Know the Coverage Before You Commit

Compare your options first so you know whether guaranteed acceptance is necessary—or whether an immediate-benefit policy may be available.

Get Quote
*Ballpark quote
Pre-Approved Quote
*Fully shopped prequalified rate estimate

Do not cancel existing coverage until replacement coverage has been approved, issued, accepted, and is in force.

Sources & review method

The rate chart and calculator are provided for comparison and planning. Official Colonial Penn state-specific quotes and policy forms control actual benefit amounts, unit availability, and contract terms. InsuranceForBurial.com is independent and is not affiliated with Colonial Penn.

2026 editorial note: Older reader comments and staff replies shown below this article may refer to prior Colonial Penn product details, unit limits, or older quote links. For current plan terms, rates, unit availability, and benefit rules, use the updated 2026 information and primary sources in the article above.