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

A hybrid long-term-care policy provides a death benefit as well as coverage for care at home, in an assisted-living facility or in a nursing home.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 21, 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

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

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

After six months' good standing members become eligible to a death benefit of one hundred dollars, but they are not eligible to a disability benefit until they have been in membership twelve months.

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