Age last is an age-calculation method in life insurance under which an applicant's age is based on the last birthday reached as of the policy effective date. For example, someone who is 59 years and 11 months old is treated as age 59 under an age-last rule until their next birthday. Carriers use age basis conventions such as age last, age nearest, or age exact to determine premium rates and eligibility for certain products, riders, or underwriting programs. Age last tends to be slightly more favorable to applicants whose birthdays are approaching, as it does not round them up to the next age before they actually reach it. Understanding age basis is important when timing applications and comparing quotes among carriers with different rules.

Advisors reference age last when explaining why a client's quoted premium is based on a particular age, especially if the client is close to a birthday. In competitive case design, they may accelerate applications so that coverage is issued under the current age-last basis rather than after the next birthday, which would increase rates. Advisors also compare carriers that use age nearest versus age last, as the difference can affect long-term costs on large face amounts or permanent coverage. When running illustrations, they confirm that the software reflects the correct age basis to avoid discrepancies at issue. Understanding age last helps advisors fine-tune timing and carrier selection to get clients the most favorable age-based pricing available.