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

See Examples For:

death benefit

Unless there was an error by the insurer, a lapsed policy has no death benefit.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 9, 2026

Buyers can elect to continue the income over a spouse’s lifetime and add a death benefit for other heirs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 10, 2026

The death benefit may not be as advantageous to you, given that you are single with no children.

From MarketWatch ● May 6, 2026

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 combination of the wife's funeral benefit with the death benefit causes a material addition in the cost of the death benefit.

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