Return of premium life insurance
The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for . This content is powered by HomeInsurance.com (NPN: 8781838). For more information, please see our .
A term life insurance policy can be a great way to protect your family for a certain period of time, such as when your children are young. But if you survive the policy, you may end up feeling some regret for all the premiums you paid, which, in the end, did not result in a payout. One way to avoid that is to include a return of premium rider on your policy, or purchase a policy that has this function built in. This type or endorsement or policy ensures that when the policy expires, you will receive a payment from your insurer that may include some or all of the premiums you paid into it.
Compare life insurance providers quickly and easily
See which provider is right for you.
Whole life insurance combines life insurance with an investment component.
- Coverage for life
- Tax-deferred savings benefit if premiums are paid
- 3 variations of permanent insurance: whole life, universal life and variable life include investment component
Term life insurance is precisely what the name implies: an insurance policy that is good for a specific term of time.
- Fixed premium over term
- No savings benefits
- Outliving policy or policy cancellation results in no money back
This advertising widget is powered by HomeInsurance.com, a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 8781838) and a corporate affiliate of Bankrate. HomeInsurance.com LLC services are only available in states where it is licensed and insurance coverage through HomeInsurance.com may not be available in all states. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Return of premium life insurance explained
Return of premium life insurance is just what it sounds like: if you keep the policy active and consistently pay your premiums so that it does not lapse, you will receive a payout in the amount of the premiums paid for your base policy at the end of the term, even if you survive well beyond it. Certain fees or premiums paid for other endorsements on your policy may not be refunded, but you’ll have to check with your individual life insurance provider to see what may be excluded.
Return of premium functionality is only available with term life insurance, which is usually more inexpensive than the other main type of life insurance, called permanent life insurance. Term policies last for a specific number of years—often 10, 20 or 30—and they do not have a cash value, as permanent insurance does. Term policies feature only a death benefit that pays out if you pass away before the term is over.
That changes if you have a return of premium rider on your policy, or if return of premium functionality is built into the policy. If that is the case, when the term is over, you will receive a payment from the insurer that is not a death benefit, but which typically includes some or all of the premiums you have paid into the policy. Keep in mind that this type of policy or endorsement will increase the amount you pay for your policy since it is guaranteed that you will get money back from the insurance company at the end of the term.
Who needs return of premium life insurance?
Determining the value of a return of premium life insurance policy is largely based on your individual financial situation and goals. While some might not need a return of premium life insurance policy, it has some benefits. A return of premium life insurance policy could be a great option for someone who can afford to pay a little extra each month to guarantee that they’ll have some savings.
For example, receiving a large sum of money back at the end of your life insurance policy’s term may be helpful when you are heading toward retirement – especially since the sum is tax-free.
But it’s important to understand that you’re not gaining additional or new money. Instead, you’re getting back money that was yours to begin with. So while return of premium life insurance can be a nice saving option if you’re looking to set aside some money for retirement or have a guarantee of getting money back, there may be other savings options that could give you a greater return. In short, you’re not earning interest on the money you pay into your life insurance premiums, but you could earn interest on that same money if you invested it in an interest-bearing account instead. Consider speaking with a financial advisor to see what is right for you.
The average cost of return of premium life insurance
The return of premium feature that either comes with a term policy or is added on as a rider is likely to increase your premium since the insurance company will have to pay you back at the end of your term. The amount it adds on to your policy varies, because each policy is unique and is based on a number of factors, including your gender, age and general health. The younger you are, and the better your health, the less you are likely to have to pay for a policy.
Let’s look at a possible example based on a $250,000, 30-year term life policy. Let’s say a 25 year-old woman in excellent health pays $19.90 per month for this policy without the return of premium feature. If a return of premium rider is added to her policy, then her monthly premium climbs to $51.77 per month. But if she outlives the term, then she could receive the entire $18,637.20 back that she paid over the past 30 years.
Does that mean it’s a good investment? It depends, since everyone’s circumstances are different. Talking with a financial advisor about what’s right for you can help you answer that question.
Pros and cons of return of premium life insurance
As with any insurance options, there are pros and cons to a return of premium life insurance policy. Only you can determine whether the pros make this type of policy a good investment for you.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Most or all of your premiums are refunded if you keep the policy in force until the end of the term. | Premiums are more expensive than a term policy without the return of premium rider. |
| The total amount of premiums that are returned is tax-free. | You don’t earn any interest on your investment. |
| You will know exactly how much you will receive at the end of the term. | No premiums are returned if the policy should lapse for any reason. |
Frequently Asked Questions
-
-
There is no one “best” life insurance company for everyone. The best life insurance company for you is the one that can give you the most coverage and additional features for your money. But what’s best for you is often not the best for someone else. Many life insurance carriers cater to a specific segment of consumers, such as those with specific health problems. It may be beneficial to do some research to narrow down your options and get quotes from a few companies to see which one is right for you.
-
The answer to this question depends upon your specific needs and financial situation. If you are the primary breadwinner for a family that is entirely dependent upon you, then you probably need more coverage than a single person. Most financial planners will tell you that you should have at least enough life insurance to pay off your debts and provide for your dependents for at least a certain period of time (such as when they graduate from school). One way to estimate the amount of insurance you need is to use a life insurance calculator to get a big-picture view of your financial situation.
-
If your health is poor enough to prevent most insurance companies from covering you, consider looking at guaranteed-issue life insurance that doesn’t require a medical examination. These policies can be more expensive than traditional policies, but they also offer options to those who are unable to purchase traditional life insurance.
-
These riders can allow you to access the death benefit from your life insurance policy while you are still living. In most cases, these riders are triggered by your inability to care for yourself on a daily basis. For example, if you become disabled or unable to perform at least two out of the six activities of daily living (ADLs), then you can use some or all of your death benefit to pay for home health care or nursing home expenses. Check with your life insurance company to learn more about its specific guidelines for this type of rider.
-
Related Articles
