death benefit

American  

noun

1. the amount of money to be paid under the terms of an insurance policy to the designated beneficiary upon the death of the insured.

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Etymology

Origin of death benefit

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

Even more daunting with IUL is that if you borrow against the policy or don’t keep feeding the premiums, you can end up depleting the death benefit and the cash value.

From MarketWatch • May 27, 2026

You’re basically paying the cost of a typical household utility bill for a tax-free $1.5 million death benefit.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 15, 2025

That is less than half the $800,000 cash-in value of Montana’s policy and a fraction of the death benefit, according to a court challenge she made this year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 6, 2025

The railroad company he worked for gave Gianetsas, who could barely speak English at the time, a death benefit worth $1,500.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 20, 2024

The assessment of twenty-five cents levied by the Glass Bottle Blowers for each death benefit upon a membership of 2423 in 1891 yielded a greater sum than the definite amount adopted one year later.

From Beneficiary Features of American Trade Unions by Kennedy, James B.