Quick answer · Updated August 2026
L&G wins on the maths; SunLife wins on the extras. L&G: from £4.50/month, £20,000 max cover, 1-year wait, typically better cover-per-pound. SunLife: from £4/month, £18,000 cap, 1-year wait, £130 gift card (to 18 Aug 2026) and the market's best-known brand. Same-age quotes from both take two minutes — the payout difference is often hundreds of pounds.
Head to Head (August 2026)
| SunLife | Legal & General | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry age | 49–85 | 50–80 |
| Premiums from | £4/month | £4.50/month |
| Maximum cover | £18,000 | £20,000 |
| Waiting period | 1 year (accidental: day one) | 1 year (accidental: day one) |
| Premiums stop | Age 95 | Check plan terms |
| Gift | £130 gift card after 6 payments (to 18 Aug 2026) | None |
| Best for | Widest entry ages, gift, brand familiarity | Cover-per-pound and higher cap |
Verified from published plan details, August 2026.
The Decider
Get both quotes at your exact age and compare payout for identical premium. L&G usually edges the cover-per-pound; SunLife's wider entry window (49–85 vs 50–80) makes it the only option of the two below 50 or above 80. And both share the guaranteed-plan trap: live long enough and premiums paid can exceed the payout — our SunLife review shows that worked example, and healthy applicants should price underwritten cover first.
Frequently Asked Questions
For pure value, Legal & General usually wins — higher £20,000 cap and typically more cover per pound. SunLife counters with a wider entry window (49–85), the £130 gift card and stronger brand recognition. Quote both at your age; the payout gap is often hundreds of pounds.
Yes — both refund premiums rather than paying the full sum if you die of natural causes in year one; both cover accidental death in full from day one.
Yes — there's no rule against holding multiple over-50s plans, and some people stack them. Mind the combined premiums-vs-payout maths though; caps apply per provider.