death benefit

noun

: money payable to the beneficiary of a deceased

Examples of death benefit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Someone who initially buys enough insurance to replace income, pay a mortgage and support young children, for example, could reduce the death benefit later as those obligations disappear. — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026

Hybrid life policies, for instance, combine permanent life insurance with a long-term care option, allowing the holder to access the death benefit tax-free if LTC needs arise. — David Chavern, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026

If the death benefit isn't sufficient to compensate the grandchildren, the trust can provide them with a secured note, placing a lien on the family business, according to Fox. — Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026

Now, with companies buying up the policies and never missing a payment, insurance companies were paying out more death benefits. — Vito Emanuel, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

death benefit

noun

: money payable to the beneficiary of a deceased as a benefit (as under a policy of life or accident insurance or a pension plan)

Note: The right to death benefits is generally terminated in cases of fraud, as when an insured commits suicide after purchasing a policy or when the beneficiary murders the insured.