Age nearest is an age-calculation method used by some life insurance carriers in which an applicant's insurance age is determined by rounding to the nearest birthday, often at the six-month mark. Under age nearest, a client who is 59 years and 7 months old may be treated as age 60 for premium purposes, while someone 59 years and 4 months old would remain age 59. This approach can result in applicants being rated one year older several months before their actual birthdays, potentially increasing premiums compared with age-last methods. Age nearest rules are embedded in carrier rate tables and illustration systems and can materially affect long-term costs on large or permanent policies.

Advisors pay attention to age nearest when clients are within six months of their next birthday, because waiting to apply may push them into a higher age band. In competitive case design, advisors may favor carriers using age last when clients are close to the half-birthday threshold, or accelerate applications with age-nearest carriers to lock in a younger age. When clients notice that their "insurance age" is one year higher than their current age, advisors explain the age-nearest method and its impact on premiums. Case managers coordinate effective dates and backdating options to mitigate unfavorable age shifts. Understanding age nearest helps advisors strategically time applications and choose carriers whose age basis aligns with client cost and planning goals.