A mortality charge schedule is the structured set of mortality rates or cost-of-insurance factors applied to a life insurance policy over time, usually increasing with the insured's age. The schedule is derived from underlying mortality tables and adjusted for company experience, expenses, and pricing strategy. In universal life and variable universal life policies, the mortality charge schedule defines the guaranteed maximum and current rates charged per thousand of net amount at risk at each age. These rates determine how much of the policy's cash value is deducted monthly to cover death benefit risk. In traditional products, the mortality schedule is embedded in level premiums and reserve calculations rather than shown explicitly. A clear understanding of the mortality charge schedule is important for evaluating policy competitiveness and for assessing how costs will evolve as the insured gets older.

In daily practice, the mortality charge schedule is most visible when reviewing detailed policy pages or actuarial memorandums, though most clients never see the full table. Advanced planners, brokerage underwriters, and product specialists may compare mortality charge schedules between carriers to assess relative value for specific age ranges and risk classes. When carriers adjust current cost-of-insurance rates on older blocks of business, they are effectively altering the non-guaranteed portion of the mortality schedule, which can significantly affect policy performance. Advisors use inforce illustrations to show clients how mortality charges ramp up with age and why adequate funding is essential. Understanding the mortality charge schedule helps explain why buying coverage younger, securing preferred classes, and maintaining funding discipline can produce more favorable long-term results.