Which type of life insurance generally has lower mortality costs in the early years but increases in cost later?

Yearly renewable term (YRT) insurance is designed with low initial premiums, which reflect the lower mortality costs associated with younger insured individuals. As the insured ages, the risk of mortality increases, leading to higher costs in subsequent years. This is due to the way YRT plans are structured, where premiums are based on the current age of the policyholder at each renewal, resulting in escalating costs over time.

The increasing premium structure of YRT reflects the insurer's need to maintain profitability as the insured's age and associated risks rise. This characteristic makes YRT a popular choice for those who need temporary coverage with lower initial costs but may not be ideal for long-term financial planning due to the increasing costs in later years.

In contrast, level term insurance maintains a constant premium throughout the policy's term, while universal life insurance combines cash value accumulation with a flexible premium structure, often leading to more stable costs. This contextual understanding underscores why YRT is the correct answer, as it specifically aligns with the criteria of lower early mortality costs that rise later.