death benefit

noun

: money payable to the beneficiary of a deceased

Examples of death benefit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

High-wealth households looking for more ways to save One common misconception about life insurance, industry experts say, is that its only purpose is to pay a death benefit. —Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 15 Feb. 2026

At death, any amount left over in the accumulation value (but not in the income account) becomes a death benefit. —Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026

Both term and whole life insurance policies include a terminal illness rider for free, allowing for an advanced death benefit if the insured is diagnosed with a terminal illness. —Liz Knueven, CNBC, 23 Dec. 2025

Based on guidance from the Social Security administration, the counties have been applying for disability and parental death benefits on behalf of foster kids and using the money -- $1.7 million this year alone -- to cover the kids' care. —Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025

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.