Lincoln financial life insurance review guides often highlight this company as one of America’s most established insurers. Lincoln Financial Group traces its roots back to 1905 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The company takes its name from Abraham Lincoln himself. Robert Todd Lincoln personally granted permission to use the Lincoln name and likeness. Today, Lincoln Financial Group is headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania.
- Lincoln Financial Overview and Financial Strength
- Lincoln Financial Life Insurance Review: Policy Options
- Lincoln Financial Life Insurance Rates and Underwriting
- Lincoln Financial Available Riders and Add-Ons
- Lincoln Financial Claims Process and Customer Service
- Pros and Cons of Lincoln Financial Life Insurance
- Who Is Lincoln Financial Life Insurance Best For?
- Frequently Asked Questions
It manages over $300 billion in assets. The company consistently ranks on the Fortune 500 list. Lincoln Financial offers term life, universal life, indexed universal life, variable universal life, and innovative hybrid products. It sells policies exclusively through licensed financial professionals. This lincoln financial life insurance review examines every product, rating, and detail consumers need before choosing a policy.
Lincoln Financial Overview and Financial Strength
Lincoln National Life Insurance Company is the primary insurance subsidiary of Lincoln National Corporation. The company has operated for over 120 years. It employs approximately 11,000 people across the United States. Lincoln Financial is a publicly traded stock company on the NYSE under ticker LNC. That long track record matters when you are buying a product designed to last decades.
Financial strength ratings tell you whether an insurer can pay future claims. AM Best assigns Lincoln National Life Insurance Company an A+ (Superior) rating. This places Lincoln in the second-highest tier among all rated insurers. The NAIC complaint index for Lincoln’s individual life insurance line has historically fallen below 1.00. A score below 1.00 means fewer complaints than expected for a company of its size. However, Lincoln Financial has scored below the industry average in recent JD Power U.S. Individual Life Insurance Studies. As a result, customer satisfaction may lag behind some competitors.
| Rating Source | Score / Grade |
|---|---|
| AM Best Financial Strength | A+ (Superior) |
| JD Power Life Insurance Satisfaction | Below industry average |
| NAIC Complaint Index | Below 1.00 (favorable) |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
Lincoln Financial Life Insurance Review: Policy Options
This lincoln financial life insurance review covers one of the broadest product lineups in the industry. Lincoln offers term life insurance through its TermAccel and Term Elite products. Term lengths include 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years. Coverage amounts typically range from $100,000 to over $10 million. All term policies are convertible to permanent coverage during a specified conversion window. For example, a young family on a budget can start with affordable term and convert later without a new medical exam.
Lincoln Financial truly stands out in permanent life insurance. The WealthPreserve IUL is their flagship indexed universal life product. It offers cash value growth linked to the S&P 500 with downside floor protection. The AssetEdge VUL provides variable universal life with investment sub-accounts for higher growth potential. However, VUL carries more market risk than IUL. Lincoln also offers traditional universal life with guaranteed death benefit options for those who want predictable premiums.
One of Lincoln’s most distinctive products is MoneyGuard. This lincoln financial life insurance review highlights MoneyGuard as a hybrid life insurance and long-term care product. MoneyGuard Fixed Advantage and MoneyGuard Market Advantage combine a death benefit with long-term care coverage. In most cases, policyholders can access the death benefit early to pay for qualifying long-term care expenses. Lincoln is a recognized market leader in this linked-benefit space. Survivorship life insurance is also available for estate planning purposes.
Lincoln Financial Life Insurance Rates and Underwriting
Lincoln Financial’s term life rates are generally competitive with other large carriers. However, rates vary significantly based on age, health class, coverage amount, and term length. Lincoln uses multiple health class tiers including Preferred Best, Preferred, Standard Plus, Standard, and substandard table ratings. Healthier applicants qualify for lower premiums. Typically, a 30-year-old non-smoker in excellent health will find Lincoln’s rates comparable to other A-rated national carriers.
Underwriting at Lincoln Financial comes in several forms. The TermAccel product uses accelerated underwriting with no medical exam for qualifying applicants. It pulls data from prescription databases, MIB records, motor vehicle reports, and credit-based insurance scores. Decisions can arrive in days rather than weeks. For larger face amounts or higher-risk applicants, Lincoln requires full medical underwriting. This includes a paramedical exam with blood draw, urine sample, and physical measurements. Simplified issue options are available on select products like MoneyGuard.
Any lincoln financial life insurance review should mention that Lincoln does not sell policies directly to consumers online. You must work with a licensed financial professional. As a result, getting a quote requires contacting an independent agent or financial advisor. This adds a step compared to carriers that offer instant online quotes. However, the advisor relationship can help consumers navigate Lincoln’s complex permanent life products more effectively.
Lincoln Financial Available Riders and Add-Ons
Lincoln Financial offers a strong selection of riders to customize your coverage. Rider availability varies by product and state. However, Lincoln provides more add-on options than many competitors. In most cases, riders add a small additional premium to the base policy cost. Some riders like the accelerated death benefit are often included at no extra charge.
| Rider | Description |
|---|---|
| Accelerated Death Benefit | Access part of death benefit for terminal, chronic, or critical illness |
| Waiver of Premium | Waives premiums during total disability |
| Long-Term Care Rider | Uses death benefit for qualifying LTC expenses (MoneyGuard products) |
| Children’s Term Rider | Provides term coverage for dependent children |
| Accidental Death Benefit | Pays additional benefit for accidental death |
| Guaranteed Insurability | Purchase additional coverage at set dates without new underwriting |
| Overloan Protection | Prevents policy lapse from excessive loans on UL and IUL products |
| Income Benefit Rider | Pays death benefit as income stream instead of lump sum |
The overloan protection rider deserves special attention in this lincoln financial life insurance review. IUL and VUL policyholders who take loans against cash value risk lapsing their policy. This rider prevents that from happening. The guaranteed insurability rider is valuable for younger buyers who expect their income and coverage needs to grow. For example, a 25-year-old professional can lock in the right to buy more coverage at ages 28, 31, and 34 without proving insurability again.
Lincoln Financial Claims Process and Customer Service
Filing a claim with Lincoln Financial is straightforward. Beneficiaries can call Lincoln’s claims department at 1-800-487-1485. Claims can also be submitted through a financial advisor or by mail. Required documents typically include a certified death certificate, completed claim form, policy number, and beneficiary identification. Lincoln generally processes claims within 5 to 10 business days after receiving all paperwork.
Payout options give beneficiaries flexibility. Lincoln offers lump sum payments, installment payments, retained asset accounts, and annuity settlement options. However, as noted in this lincoln financial life insurance review, JD Power scores suggest customer service interactions may not match the best in the industry. The standard two-year contestability period applies to all Lincoln policies. Many families who carry life insurance also compare home insurance at Home Insure Guide to ensure all their coverage works together.
Lincoln Financial has invested in digital tools for policyholders. Online account management allows you to view policy details, make payments, and update beneficiaries. However, Lincoln’s digital experience is not as robust as some direct-to-consumer carriers. Typically, complex service requests still require a phone call or advisor visit. Customer service hours follow standard business hours for most inquiries.
Pros and Cons of Lincoln Financial Life Insurance
Pros:
- AM Best A+ (Superior) financial strength rating provides strong confidence in claim-paying ability
- Market-leading MoneyGuard hybrid life and long-term care products are hard to find elsewhere
- Broad product lineup from term to IUL to VUL fits nearly any need
- Accelerated underwriting on TermAccel means no medical exam for qualifying applicants
- Overloan protection rider safeguards cash value borrowers on IUL and VUL policies
Cons:
- No direct-to-consumer sales channel means you cannot get online quotes without an advisor
- Below-average JD Power customer satisfaction scores compared to top-ranked competitors
- Complex permanent life products may overwhelm buyers who want simple coverage
- Limited guaranteed issue options for applicants who cannot pass any underwriting
Who Is Lincoln Financial Life Insurance Best For?
This lincoln financial life insurance review identifies several ideal customer profiles. Lincoln Financial is best for consumers who want hybrid life insurance and long-term care protection. The MoneyGuard product line solves a problem most carriers ignore. It lets you protect your family with a death benefit while also covering potential long-term care costs. For anyone worried about nursing home expenses draining their estate, MoneyGuard is a standout option.
Lincoln is also an excellent choice for high-net-worth individuals who need sophisticated permanent life insurance. The IUL and VUL products offer tax-advantaged cash value growth with flexible premium structures. Survivorship policies serve estate planning needs effectively. Typically, families in this category also compare auto insurance rates at Car Cover Guide since bundling auto and life insurance through the same carrier can save money. However, Lincoln’s advisor-only distribution means budget-conscious shoppers who want a quick online term purchase may prefer a different carrier.
In summary, this lincoln financial life insurance review finds Lincoln Financial strongest for permanent life insurance buyers, hybrid life and LTC shoppers, and estate planning clients. The A+ financial strength rating provides peace of mind for any long-term policy commitment. However, consumers who want the simplest term life buying experience may find better options with direct-to-consumer carriers. Lincoln Financial earns its place among America’s top life insurers for anyone willing to work with a financial professional to build a comprehensive protection plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lincoln Financial a good life insurance company?
Yes, Lincoln Financial holds an A+ (Superior) rating from AM Best. This is the second-highest possible rating. However, JD Power customer satisfaction scores fall below the industry average. As a result, claims paying strength is excellent but service experiences vary.
Does Lincoln Financial offer no-exam life insurance?
Lincoln Financial offers accelerated underwriting through its TermAccel product. Qualifying applicants can skip the medical exam entirely. However, not all applicants will qualify. In most cases, younger and healthier applicants applying for moderate face amounts are most likely to receive a no-exam decision.
What makes Lincoln Financial different from other life insurance companies?
Lincoln Financial’s MoneyGuard product is its biggest differentiator. This lincoln financial life insurance review highlights MoneyGuard as a hybrid policy combining life insurance with long-term care benefits. Typically, few carriers offer this type of linked-benefit product at Lincoln’s scale. For example, you can use your death benefit to pay for nursing home or home health care if needed.
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Official Sources & Resources
For verified information on life insurance ratings and regulations:
- AM Best (Financial Strength Ratings): ambest.com
- NAIC (Complaint Ratios): naic.org
- ACLI (American Council of Life Insurers): acli.com
- Insurance Information Institute: iii.org
- J.D. Power (Customer Satisfaction): jdpower.com
Content last reviewed April 2026. If you notice any outdated information, please contact us.