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

“You should buy it because you want and/or need a death benefit that will last your entire life, because first and foremost, this is life insurance.”

From MarketWatch • Jun. 16, 2026

The death benefit for beneficiaries helps offset that “lose it” risk.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 1, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 3, 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 administration of the death benefit or of a system of insurance against death presents relatively few difficult problems.

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