death benefit

noun

: money payable to the beneficiary of a deceased

Examples of death benefit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For instance, replacing a term policy with a living benefits policy that reduces the death benefit but adds liquidity for emergencies reframes life insurance as a proactive financial tool. —Drew Gurley, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025

Structured correctly, the policy owner’s death benefit is untaxed when it is paid to beneficiaries. —Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2025

In the 120 years since the fund was established by industrialist-philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, more than $45 million has been given in one-time grants, scholarship aid, death benefits and continuing assistance, according to the organization. —Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 25 Mar. 2025

But Cartier’s insurance company would not pay out death benefits until the autopsy report was completed. —Ames Alexander, Charlotte Observer, 20 Mar. 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.