Crossword Genius

Cost of life expectancy (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fee

'cost' is the definition.
(fee is a kind of cost)

'of life expectancy' is the wordplay.
'of' indicates a hidden word.
'FEE' is hidden in the letters of 'life expectancy'.

(Other definitions for fee that I've seen before include "Money paid for professional services" , "Sum payable to, say, barrister" , "Sum payable to professional person for services" , "price" , "Payment to a professional for services" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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