When you buy a term plan, one of the first decisions is how long you want the coverage to run. And while the instinct is to pick the longest possible tenure for maximum security, the right answer is more nuanced than "longer is always better."

The primary question is: until what age do you expect to have financial dependents or outstanding liabilities? If your home loan runs until you're 58, your children finish college by 55, and you expect to be financially independent by 60 — then cover running to age 65 or 70 gives you a meaningful buffer without overpaying.

"Cover until 75 sounds reassuring. But if your major liabilities are cleared by 60 and your children are independent by 55, you're paying for protection you may not need."

The counter-argument is longevity risk. Indians are living longer. Healthcare costs in your 60s and 70s can be substantial. If you're the primary financial support for an elderly spouse or dependent family member who may outlive your income-earning years, cover until 70 or 75 starts making sense.

There's also a premium efficiency angle. Extending a policy from age 65 to 75 adds roughly 15–25% to the annual premium, depending on the insurer and plan. That additional premium, invested elsewhere, may serve your family better than the incremental cover if your circumstances suggest low risk in those later years.

The cleanest approach: cover your likely working years plus a 5–7 year buffer. Pair a long-tenure policy with a shorter, larger policy for your peak liability years. Review every 5 years as your circumstances change.